Dance and the lives of Native Americans has always been intertwined. Whether it be for general entertainment or for ceremony. Many tribes have their own dances and rituals with dance and music which reflect aspects of their beliefs. The dances often have movements within that are an expression of purpose and intent, animals and birds, habitat and other things which are of significance to them. In addition to public dances, there were also private and semi-public dances for healing, prayer, initiation, storytelling, and courting.