The Kincardine branch of the Bruce County Public Library is inviting everyone to learn more about Indigenous history, as it hosts a display of 34 traditional jingle dresses.
The ceremonial dresses, which are adorned with rows of metal cones that act like bells, have been on display for the past couple weeks.
The regalia dresses were created by the Jingle Dress Sewing Circle in Kincardine.
The sewing circle was established by Laura Wolfe, whose daughter, Jaylynn Wolfe, is a Jingle Dancer from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
“I think it is really resonating with the community as a place of being able to come to the library to learn about something very important to Indigenous people, learn a little bit more about their culture, in addition to the dresses.”
The sewing circle has also provided a number of plaques with information around the Jingle Dress dance, the medicine wheel, and in the value of Grandfather Teaching.
The dresses are on display until June 6th, and will later be gifted by Chief Kimberly Bressette, on behalf of the Jingle Dress Sewing Circle, to young girls at Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
There is no cost to visit the library and see the Jingle Dresses, which McLean said is a benefit of public libraries.
“We had questions around what does it cost to come and see the dresses. Libraries are free and they’re open to everybody, so we would encourage everybody to stop in and take advantage of the opportunity to see this beautiful regalia that’s there and learn a little bit more about the Indigenous world views and perspectives, and their culture.”
She added that the library is always looking for ways to include Indigenous culture and history in activities at the Bruce County Public Library, which also aligns with the county’s calls to action for Truth & Reconciliation.
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