The North American region of the Dances of Universal Peace (often abbreviated as DUPNA, or simply, NA) is one organized region within the worldwide family of regions and communities that foster the growth and expression of the Dances of Universal Peace. Although the global family “network” is every Dance circle, dancer, Dance leader, musician, and supporter of the Dances worldwide, regional organizations have been formed to support the grass-roots network.
The North American region includes the United States, Canada, and Mexico joining the region now. DUPNA is a non-profit public-benefit corporation run by a volunteer Board and Office staff, drawn from the Dance community.
OUR VISION STATEMENT: DUPNA envisions a world where peace, justice, interfaith celebration, and spiritual nourishment can be experienced and realized through the Dances of Universal Peace.
A core value is to expand inclusive circles that inspire the next generation of dancers and foster practices that resonate with the unique conditions of the times in the service of peace and unity.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT: Peaceworks-DUPNA promotes unity by providing support, resources and networking opportunities to communities engaged with the Dances of Universal Peace, and by forming partnerships and collaborations with communities and organizations who share a vision of Global Peace.
To support this mission we:
- Connect people, information, and ideas, with our website, newsletters, social media, and Online Gatherings including Quarterly Concentration Attunements and Community Conversations;
- Support Dance leaders, Events, and local Dance circles with resources like our Dance Organizer Toolkit; to share these beautiful and accessible practices and encourage the growth of communities of peace;
- Steward the DUPNA community to allow it to fulfill its mission, office staff, and volunteers to answer questions, provide guidance and assistance as needed, maintain the membership database, manage finances, accounting, and non-profit status;
- Carry out specific projects that involve providing outreach funds, coordinating volunteers and projects within the region, fundraising for orgainzational sustainablity, future efforts and organizing regional events.
- Support the work of the Guidance Council and Dances of Universal Peace International;
Accomplishments for 2025:
It is fulfilling to reflect on our goals for 2025, and recognize that we accomplished our intentions, took graceful steps forward, and strengthened our commitment to serve our Dance Community and the practice that connects us all.
- Welcomed Mexico back into the North American region following multiple online meetings and a unanimous vote by Mexico’s leaders at the Todos Mis Relaciones / All My Relations bilingual training camp in Mexico.
- Hosted two regional in-person collaborative Dance gatherings, bringing together over 60 Dance leaders, 25 musicians and 180 dancers from USA, Mexico and Canada in an important incubation space where leadership, communication, compassion and peace-making skills were nurtured and developed.
- Supported the DUPNA NextGen Council which expanded from 5 to 14 members; to connect and empower leadership skills among dedicated and emerging next gen leaders, representing young adults (aged 18-35) and Bridge Gen (aged 35-50) members in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
- Welcomed 4 new affiliate chapters, saving its organizers thousands of dollars through the nonprofit sales tax exemption underneath the PW-DUPNA non-profit 501(c)(3) umbrella.
- Welcomed Todos Mis Relaciones / All My Relations Camp as a fiscal sponsee, allowing them to receive an important grant from Oneness Project and accept tax-deductible donations for Latin American leader and dancer scholarships.
- Hosted 7 inspiring Zoom events—including Murshid SAM’s Urs, 2 Community Conversations and 4 Quarterly Concentrations—featuring 40 presenters and nearly 500 attendees, offering a community space to Connect. Collaborate. Empower.
- Published 6 email newsletters with inspiring news, supportive resources and event listings connecting 2,000 members throughout our region.
“Weaving a Vision Together”, 2nd Annual DUPNA Gathering hosted by the DUPNA Next Gen Council
at The Farm Community, Summertown, TN, July 2025