Makhena Rankin Guérin

Makhena Rankin Guerin is a Two-Spirit hoop dancer with Anishinaabe/Algonquin roots on her mother’s side and French Canadian roots on her father’s side. As a member of the Abitibiwinni First Nation, Makhena is dedicated to preserving and continuing her Indigenous culture for future generations. She has been practicing traditional hoop dance for over 7 years; a medicinal dance that tells a story. Traditionally, this dance was performed with willow branch hoops to the rhythm of traditional drums. Nowadays, dancers often use modern materials and frequently perform to contemporary music.