Dan currently resides with his family on the Navajo Reservation in Fort Defiance, Arizona. He learned silversmithing from his father, who lived to be 106 years old. His mother, Bernice Charlie, was a weaver. Dan was in his 20's when he began silversmithing and has been active in the art ever since. He is best known for innovating the "rug" design that he works in sterling silver. He created this pattern using the overlay technique in about 1987. Dan is a versatile artist, creating bolos, buckles, bracelets and concho belts. He has 5 brothers (Gene, Lee, Johnny, Benson and Henry) as well as several nephews (including Tommy Jackson) who are silversmiths. Dan has four daughters (no sons) and four grandchildren. Dan won a first place in the 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market for a 4 in 1 rug pattern bolo tie. This was the first time Dan had entered the competition!