This group started in 2003 when Mr. Peter Povijua came to Mr. Benny Lujan and Mr. Shawn Phillips and suggested putting a dance together to honor Ester Martinez. Mrs. Martinez was a story teller from San Juan Pueblo who had just published a book of her stories. Mr. Povijua is a master in the art of creating traditional regalia and had been a part of other dance groups. Mr. Lujan and Mr. Phillips had both grown up dancing for the tribe and dance groups. All three gentlemen are today singers for the tribe. Mr. Lujan has carried the tribal drum for the past few years.

Each gentleman has a large family. One thing we will never run out of is kids. What a better way to teach and live the culture than through the kids. Families were recruited and practices were scheduled. The first dances performed were the Eagle and Group Buffalo. It has all blossomed from that first idea to honor a great story teller. People who saw the kids perform that first time requested a dance for another event. The group was then named Ice Mountain Dance Group in honor of Mr. Lujan's mom Florence whose Native name is "Oyee" or ice. Other traditional dances were practiced and performed. The Winter Buffalo and Butterfly are just two of the dances our kids have learned.

The group has had many different dancers. The kids range from 5 to 15 years of age. They have dance for many different events in Santa Fe and throughout the southwest. Our biggest event to date has been a conference at the Native American Smithsonian in Washington D.C. The group has evolved into a family affair. The dresses and wagas are made by the mothers of the group. The feathers and equipment is closed monitored by Mr. Povijua and the fathers of the group. It can be hectic chasing and organizing this large of a group. Families included we can grow to around 30 people. The love we all feel for each other has grown. If we are missing a person we all seem to feel it. Everything we have put into this group has been returned 10 fold in the experiences and relationships we have gained.