Dancing for Healing

Traditional hoop dancing is a form of storytelling; Indigenous dancers like Makhena use hoop dancing to create shapes and symbols, as they move to music. It’s an important element in healing ceremonies, evoking emotion that acts as medicine for the body, mind, and soul. Hoop dancing has been practiced by First Nations people for centuries. An Anishinaabe folktale says that there was once a boy who didn’t like to hunt or fish, so he spent hours watching animals in the wild. Eventually, the boy started mimicking the animals’ movements, spinning like an eagle and fluttering like a butterfly. He added the hoops and created a dance that he shared with others. Makhena says, "The thing I find fascinating about dance is the medicine within the dance. It’s emotional, spiritual, mental and even physical medicine.” Not long after my first photoshoot with this beautiful young woman, I invited her to my studio so we could shoot a portrait portfolio for her since one of her videos went viral and she is now in high demand for performances. I had an idea of how I wanted the shoot to go but as I always do, I trusted my instincts, remained open to possibility, and allowed the session to evolve beyond any expectation. For the session, I collaborated with world-class make-up artist/stylist Leslie Anne Barrett, who transformed Makhena’s looks so beautifully, bringing limitless possibilities into play. Working with gifted artists like Leslie Anne is not only a brilliant partnership, it’s a critical factor in the success of any studio photoshoot. We played Makhena’s favorite music on this very warm and humid night. Our combined artistic energy was so powerful, I’m sure people could feel it in the streets, well beyond the studio.