The Jingle Dress: A Song of Healing and Heritage
Yá’át’ééh, my name is Maureen Mink.
The jingle dress holds a very special place in my heart. In many Native traditions, the jingle dress is more than a piece of clothing—it is a prayer in motion, a dance of healing, strength, and connection. Each jingle sings as the dancer moves, carrying prayers for the people and reminding us of the resilience of our ancestors.
For me, this regalia carries even deeper meaning because my own jingle dress was lovingly passed down from my aunts. Every time I wear it, I feel their presence with me. The dress is not just fabric and cones—it is a living story, stitched with love, resilience, and tradition. It reminds me that I walk with the strength of the women who came before me, and that I have the responsibility to honor them through my dance, my work, and the way I carry myself in the world.
When the jingles sing, they echo the prayers of generations—healing prayers that reach beyond the circle of the dance. In our teachings, those jingles can also call for moisture, helping to bring rain to the earth and nourish the land. Each step is a prayer not only for the people, but for balance and harmony between us and the natural world.
My aunts’ gift reminds me daily of the importance of sharing culture, of celebrating who we are, and of carrying our traditions forward for the next generation.
The jingle dress is a song, a prayer, and a legacy—and I am grateful that my family has given me the honor of carrying it forward.
Agone’
