Lynette Oneroa-Bailey (Mohegan & Māori) began dancing and singing at a young age. She was a founding member of the youth drum group Shantok Nation, accompanied by her brother and fellow 2026 Head Dancer, Nicholas Oneroa-Bailey, and their mentor and former Head Dancer, Justin Scott. The group is now led by former Head Dancer David Eichelberg. Her passion for singing has only grown since those early days, and she’s now a member of the Crow Hill group. Lynette takes great inspiration from her sister, former Head Dancer Nina Bailey, and she continues to challenge herself to grow as a dancer with the help of her dance teachers and former Head Dancers Amanda Gremo and Chelsey Russell. Lynette has always found pleasure in mentoring Tribal youth to love and embrace their shared culture, and she hopes to inspire many more in the years to come.

Nicholas Oneroa-Bailey (Mohegan & Māori) is an avid singer and dancer who has taken an active role in Mohegan cultural traditions for most of his life. He began dancing as a young child. His first dance teacher was Jay Levy, followed by his lifelong brother and former Head Dancer, Justin Scott, who was not only another great dance teacher but also the person who first taught him to drum. He is grateful to have had people in medicine positions throughout his life, including Mohegan fire keeper Jay Ihloff and sweat lodge keeper Aaron Athey. As Nicholas has matured into adulthood, he has also been supported by his dance teacher and former Head Dancer, Jason Roode. Alongside his fellow Indigenous brothers and sisters, he helped to establish the Crow Hill drum group. He takes his Mohegan traditions and culture very seriously, and he’s dedicated a large part of his life and energy to learning and sharing them. It’s with humble appreciation for and immense gratitude to his many mentors and Tribal family that he accepts the role of Head Male Dancer.

Alejandro "AJ" Long (Mohegan & Taíno) is a 16-year-old dedicated to cultural preservation, community leadership, and entrepreneurship. The son of Shane Long (Mohegan) and Marisol Karaya Long (Taíno), Alejandro has been immersed in his heritage from an early age, beginning his journey in traditional dance as an infant. Deeply committed to uplifting his community, Alejandro is an active member of the Connecticut Youth Council, where he contributes his voice and leadership to initiatives that support young people. He’s also an emerging entrepreneur and the founder of Indigenous Heritage Infusion, a business focused on celebrating and sharing Indigenous culture. His dedication and impact have been recognized through an award from the Afro Caribbean Cultural Center, honoring his hard work and commitment to youth engagement and community development. Through his cultural expression, leadership, and business efforts, he continues to inspire others while honoring his Mohegan and Taíno roots.