02/10/2026
Ceremonial Medicine Dance
We traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, this past weekend to attend the medicine jingle dress dance ceremony to bring peace and healing to those affected by the state's occupation and to mourn with the families of Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and the community. Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project was honored to be part of the medicine circle and to give each jingle dress dancer a red scarf.
It was a 20-degree day, slightly windy and bitterly cold. It reminded me of the Standing Rock camp from ten years ago. Even the sound of the low-flying helicopter overhead was eerily the same. This unsettling feeling was also present at Powderhorn Park, which was situated in the middle of a bowl-like valley, surrounded by steep, icy, snow-covered hills. I remained on high alert for any negative actions.
As I got closer to the stage, I was overwhelmed by the crowd—there seemed to be thousands of people. I quickly felt safer, secure enough to be amid this positive energy, which thawed my spirit.
When the ceremonial dance began, we were instructed not to photograph or record the event. All cameras and video equipment stopped, and the healing process began. Chief Arvol Looking Horse began the prayer; it became silent, with only his words filling the air. Then came the prayer drum song, followed by prayers in the four directions, and finally the offering of to***co to the sacred fire. Great Grandma Mary Lyons, along with her daughters and granddaughters, prepared the circle for the ceremonial dance. I gifted a scarf to each dancer.
The dance was powerful! It was beautiful to see the dancers moving in unison, holding up their scarves to the honor beat, hearing the healing sounds of the jingles, and feeling the harmony of the drumbeat. As I looked in the crowd, I saw people crying, somber, and praying. I looked over at the Good family, who were in the prayer circle, holding and hugging one another. I was in tears. I knew this was the reason we were here, the reason we do what we do— we need to heal, to feel like we're part of something bigger than ourselves— we do this for the people.
Personally, I have been feeling lost, overwhelmed by the world's woes, and hiding myself from the chaos. I needed this quest to find myself, rejuvenate my spirit, regain my confidence, and reestablish my path. There were small miracles along this quick journey to Minneapolis. Just to name one... we had just enough scarves for each dancer, forty scarves for forty dancers. I was also able to hug the Good family and offer my condolences.
(This photo was taken when the ceremony was over, as the dancers left the prayer circle. I want to thank all who made this ceremony possible.)
