Master Jingle Dress Maker Adrienne Benjamin’s Gift for Guiding Reconciliation

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce — a.k.a. Minnesota — to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

On today’s show, we talk with Adrienne Benjamin (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) who is a community activist and multi-faceted artist, including being a master jingle dress maker.

Most recently, Adrienne Benjamin has been in the news for her equity work with a Minnesota company that just publicly apologized for profiting off Native-inspired designs for decades. Adrienne tells us how she came to be involved with the owners of Minnetonka Moccasins, who were seeking ways to acknowledge and make amends for their company’s long-time appropriations; and how she is helping them on a path toward reconciliation.

We were delighted to hear the story of how Adrienne found her path to becoming a master jingle dress maker, with the persistent encouragement and humor of one visionary elder, who inspired us all over the years.  Chi Miigwech, Adrienne for your wonderful art and your ability to have difficult conversations with a smile!

Watch the video about the Mille Lacs Band’s Jingle Dress origin story here:

Read Adrienne Benjamin’s “Repairing Relations” blog post here:

https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/blog/adrienne-benjamin-repairing-relations/

Visit Adrienne Benjamin’s website here: https://www.yoadrienneb.net/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

Subscribe to Native Lights wherever you get your podcasts

More from Native Lights

• 
  Gold, Linoleum, and Fire: Inside the Mind of Gordon Coons
  In this episode of Native Lights, we sit down with Gordon Coons, a talented painter, print maker and fumage artist who is an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe in northern Wisconsin. Gordon, who now resides in Minnesota, shares his inspiring journey of becoming an artist, detailing the pivotal moments throughout the eras …
• 
  Art, Identity, and Alternate Worlds: A Conversation with Pono Asuncion
  In today’s episode, we speak with Pono Asuncion, an interdisciplinary artist, storyteller, illustrator, and culture bearer. Drawing inspiration from childhood memories and ancestral roots, Pono’s art explores themes of alternate worlds, the extension of family lineage beyond this sphere, and the significance of recovering and honoring one’s history and identity. Pulling on inspiration from systemic …
• 
  Empowering Educators: The Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network
  In this episode, we welcome Gimiwan Dustin Burnette, the Executive Director of the Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network, a dynamic nonprofit organization, dedicated to enhancing collaboration and curriculum development among Ojibwe educators. Gimiwan discusses the critical work of the network, which enables Ojibwe language instructors and administrators to informally share resources, fostering a stronger and more …
• 
  Beyond the Headlines: David Cournoyer on Authentic Storytelling
  In this enlightening episode, we sit down with David Cournoyer, a seasoned journalist and communications expert with over three decades of experience. We delve into David’s remarkable career, starting from his early days as a local and TV journalist to his impactful work and nonprofit communications. David shares his inspiring journey from journalism to philanthropy, …
• 
  Reflection and Roots: Leah & Cole’s Journey with Native Lights
  This episode is a celebration of community, resilience, and the power of storytelling whether you’re a long time, listener or new to the series, tune in to get to know the voices behind native lights and be inspired by their dedication to making a difference. In this special episode, siblings and co-hosts Leah and Cole …