‘Why We Dance’ Series: Jaylynn Wolfe

In an effort to lift everyone’s spirit during this time where we are all staying home, the Anishinabek News did a call out on social media for dancers to submit their stories.  The summer series is called:  Why We Dance.

Everyone dances for a different reason.  Some are just learning.  Some feel that it’s a connection to their home and culture.  Others dance for healing or to celebrate a personal triumph.  And some are competitive dancers. Whatever the reason, our hearts lift up as we see them enter through the Eastern Doorway and join the circle.  Pow-Wow dances are expressions of self and spirituality, history and culture.  There are many different types of dances and many different styles of regalia to go with the dances.  Dances tell important stories – both personal and cultural. 

The Anishinabek News hopes this series brings you light and hope during these times of uncertainty, and inspiration to keep moving forward on your journey – whatever it may be; or maybe even dance.   

By Laura and Jason Wolfe for Jaylynn Wolfe, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation

Jaylynn Wolfe is from the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. Jaylynn represents her First Nation as Miss Kettle and Stony Point Jr. Jaylynn is 12 years old and is a very special young lady.  She is so proud of her Indigenous heritage. She celebrates her heritage and shares her pride in many positive ways.

Jaylynn began dancing the Jingle Dress Dance when she was seven years old and has shared her journey at events throughout our community, including the Kincardine Multicultural Day, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Canada Day celebrations and the Sisters in Spirit Vigil at the Saugeen Women’s Shelter, to name a few. She dances at powwows and by invitation at local museums, school events and festivals.

In April 2016, Jaylynn participated in the Kincardine Benefit for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIWG) where she spoke about her fears as an Indigenous girl growing up in a world that has treated her people terribly.

Jaylynn also spearheaded a project through St. Anthony’s school to create a Faceless Doll quilt, bringing attention to the MMIWG campaign in her community.

The Women’s House Serving Bruce Grey awarded her the Young Woman of Distinction Award in 2018.

Jaylynn’s Jingle Dress journey is one that she has formed a strong connection with. She dances for healing for others and for herself, as this journey brings her great happiness.  She is proud to join all of the other dancers, by dancing with them in the circle and looks up to the other dancers.

Jaylynn was not surround by her Indigenous culture, but this is how Jaylynn’s Jingle Dress Journey began, through her own voice!

“It was my class’ day to go to the library. I was searching high and low for a good book.  Then I came across a bin. The bin was labelled ‘First Nation books’. It felt like the First Nation book bin was calling my name, ‘Psst! Jaylynn, Jaylynn, Jaylynn!’  The very first book that jumped into my hands when I reached into the bin was the book, Jingle Dancer. One glance at the book and I knew this was the one!

I signed the book out of the library and brought it straight home.  I think I heard the book calling my name from the backpack. ‘Psst, Jaylynn, Jaylynn, Jaylynn!’

As soon as I got on the bus to go home, I started reading the book. I read the book again as soon as I was home from school, before bed and in the morning— over and over!

I kept signing the book out of the library every week. I showed my mom the book and I asked her if I could be a Jingle Dancer.  My mom thought that this was just the phase of the week.  Just like the Justin Bieber phase.

The book, Jingle Dancer, is about a young girl who watches a video of her Grandma Jingle dancing. The young girl is inspired by the video and wants to become a Jingle Dancer too! The young girl walks to three different friends and family members’ houses and collects a row of jingles from each person. She walks back to her Grandma’s house and her Grandma gives her the last row of jingles she needs for her dress.  Her Grandma makes the dress and the young girl dances for each of them at the powwow.

The last name of the Grandma in the book is Wolfe, yes spelled the same as my last name. I never met my Grandma Wolfe as she had passed already, but my connection with her through this book was meant to be. Grandma Wolfe was guiding me to my Jingle Dress journey.

I was curious about what Jingle Dancing really looked like when it was being performed.  I started YouTube-ing videos of Jingle Dancers.  My feet immediately started dancing to the beat of the drum. I couldn’t get the beat of the drum out of my head and my feet kept dancing. The dancers in the videos were all carrying feather fans, which they would raise during the honour beats of the song.  I didn’t have a fan so I had to improvise. I opened the kitchen utensil drawer and voilà! The new and improved fan appeared, yes the ‘very traditional egg flipper’.

I started dancing around the kitchen table and I would hold up the egg flipper during the honour beats.  I’m sure it was quite the scene, but there was something missing. I wasn’t jingling.

I continued reading the book over and over and danced around the kitchen table week after week.  The beat of the drum never left my head; I could always hear it.

My mom then thought, ‘Maybe she really is going to be a Jingle Dancer and this isn’t just a phase.’

I asked my mom about getting a Jingle Dress so I could be a real Jingle Dancer.  My aunt, with the help of my family, designed and sewed together my very first Jingle Dress.

The dress was finally done.  My eyes were sparkling big and bright and my heart was racing as I put on very first Jingle Dress. My feet immediately began to dance with the beat of the drum playing in my head.  My dress began to jingle. Tink, Tink, Tink. The smile on my face and the warmth in my heart could not get any bigger or warmer.  I felt so blessed and honoured to wear the dress.  It felt like I waited my whole life for the dress.

With the dress ready and my steps for dancing practiced, I travelled to my first powwow.

Hearing the drums and seeing all of the other dancers in their regalia was just an amazing sight. I was so proud to wear my Jingle Dress and dance at the powwow. I told my mom, that my dream had finally come true.  I was a real Jingle Dancer.

And that’s how it all started, my journey to becoming a First Nation Traditional Jingle Dancer.”

Even though she is young, Jaylynn has an amazing understanding of the impact one person can have on the greater world.  She is making change and she is representing her community as Miss Kettle & Stony Point Jr. proudly.