PRESQUE ISLE, Maine— Wintergreen Arts Center will feature Sipsis Paul, Native American dancer and beader, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, during Presque Isle’s First Friday Downtown Art Walk.
Sipsis, which means “little bird” in Maliseet, is accomplished in both the traditional and contemporary versions of the Native American Jingle Dance. During her First Friday reception at Wintergreen, Sipsis will display and explain the meaning behind her Jingle Dress, the regalia she wears while dancing the Jingle Dance.
“Our regalia represent the style we dance,” said Sipsis. “There are about six or seven different dance styles, each with their own regalia. The Jingle Dress represents healing and the jingles on the dress are meant to grab spirits’ attention to answer whatever prayers we have.”
On Saturday morning, November 2, Sipsis will lead workshops in Native American crafts at Wintergreen as part of Presque Isle’s Native American Heritage Celebration. At 9:30 am, she will teach a workshop for children in the ancient art of porcupine quillwork, a type of embroidery used to tell stories in clothing, followed by a workshop for adults in flat work, a style of beading, at 11:00 a.m.
Sipsis Paul is a member of three Native American tribes, Narragansett, Passamaquoddy, and Maliseet. Born in Rhode Island, the 16-year-old Sipsis currently resides in Presque Isle, where she is a junior at Presque Isle High School.
The First Friday Reception and both workshops are free and open to the public.
