Valerie, known also as Miskozenibaanhkwe (Red Ribbon Woman) and Hupagluzawiya (Presents the Pipe Woman), wears an Ojibwe style jingle dress made by Lavender Doris, Valerie's we'eh, who also gave Valerie her name. The jingle dress carries a healing story. In Ojibwe tradition, the dress once healed a sick girl, and so the dress and its dance remain expressions of healing to this day.

Her beadwork, crafted by Snowy White, Lavender's daughter, honors the turtle from the Ojibwe creation story and reflects traditional Ojibwe floral designs.

Valerie wears this dress to powwow, where she dances in prayer and gives thanks to Creator. She travels across the states to dance, attending round dances and ceremonies to keep these traditions alive.

For Valerie, this is more than regalia. It is healing, prayer, and the living continuation of her people's traditions.

VALERIE LEITH (MISKOZENIBAANHKWE / HUPAGLUZAWIYA) · OJIBWE JINGLE DRESS, OJIBWE/DAKOTA/MENOMINEE, MINNESOTA · FROM A RECORDED CONVERSATION, 2026