Jasmine Pickner Bell, or Cunku Was’te Win’ meaning “Good Road Woman” in Dakota, shares the sacred hoop dance with the world. The two-time world champion, who is a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe (also known as Hunkpati Oyate), began training with her father, the renowned hoop dancer Dallas Chief Eagle. Traditionally the hoop dance only allowed men to perform. Early on, Dallas recognized Jasmine’s natural strength, outspokenness, and spirit as a potential catalyst to restore the masculine/feminine balance within the sacred circle. Jasmine realized this calling when tragedy struck and her brother, also a talented hoop dancer, was killed in a car accident. In honor of his life, she performed in his place at the World Championship Hoop Dance Competition and won, becoming the first woman to hold the title and compete in a dress (up until that point, many female hoop dancers still performed in traditional male attire). The following year she defended her title. And now she is proud to say, more women have entered the field and wear their traditional dress and not men’s attire.

The hoop dance has been described as “the renewal of the collective human spirit.” It is a dance of healing, connectedness, and prayer. Even though Jasmine is in constant spinning motion while she dances, she never finds herself dizzy because she is aligned with a higher purpose. As she’s passing each hoop through her body, she says, “Your prayers are being connected and lifted up. You’re not only telling a story through the designs of the hoop dance, but you’re also praying and healing the people who are in need at that time.”

Learn more about Jasmine at https://www.womeninwyoming.com/jasmine-pickner-bell

Jasmine's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hoopinitdakotastyle