join us for
RIPPLE: A Contemporary Indigenous Arts & Fashion Experience
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2026 | 2 - 4 PM | GRAND CASINO HINCKLEY
Join Water Over Nickel for RIPPLE — a contemporary Indigenous arts and fashion experience inspired by water in motion.
This free community event brings together creativity, culture, and connection to celebrate the importance of protecting the waters that sustain us all.
Open to all those who care about clean water and future generations, RIPPLE creates space to experience Indigenous artistry as living, evolving, and deeply rooted in stewardship of the natural world.
Guests will enjoy a contemporary Indigenous fashion show featuring Native designers, a student art exhibition, and opportunities to learn more about protecting Minnesota’s clean water and getting involved with Water Over Nickel’s work.
The event features a Q&A conversation with Indigenous fashion designers and tribal leaders following the show, offering attendees a chance to hear an Indigenous perspective on inspiration, storytelling, and connection to water through art and fashion. Appetizers will be available during the show and Q&A.
Nibi in Motion. Art in Action: Grounded in Ojibwe teachings and community, RIPPLE invites all who attend to reflect on our shared responsibility to care for Nibi — water — for generations to come.
EVent details
What: Free Indigenous arts and fashion experience inspired by water, featuring a fashion show, student art exhibition, appetizers, and designer Q&A
When: August 2, 2026
Where: Grand Casino Hinckley
Who: This event is free and open to the public; we welcome all who care about clean water and future generations (No RSVP or ticket required)
Why: Celebrate Indigenous creativity, culture, and our shared responsibility to protect Minnesota’s clean water for future generations
event schedule
1:30 PM: DOORS OPEN
2 - 3:30 PM: FASHION SHOW + Q&A
Adrienne Benjamin – Agawaatebiigisin: “It Is Reflected in the Water”
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe designer Adrienne Benjamin brings a powerful blend of Anishinaabe tradition and contemporary fashion to the runway through her collection, Agawaatebiigisin — “It Is Reflected in the Water.” Featuring 10 original pieces, the collection celebrates the ways water shapes Anishinaabe life, art, movement, and identity.
Inspired by reflection, color, and the natural world, Adrienne’s designs honor traditional Ojibwe aesthetics while reimagining them through modern Woodland fashion. The vibrant patterns, handcrafted details, and storytelling woven into each garment invite audiences to reflect on the sacred importance of water and our shared responsibility to protect it for future generations.
TariaRose Aubid — Gibaamidiziwinanaan gah-pi-wenzikaamigak nibiikaaning: "Our life comes from where there is all the water"
Centered on the belief that our life comes from where there is all the water, this collection exists between water and life. Drawing inspiration from the plants, animals, and natural elements that depend on water to survive, the 10 designs weave together traditional Ojibwe artistic influences with contemporary and traditional fashion.
The collection reflects the ripple effect of water’s presence and how one source sustains countless forms of life and connects us all.
2 - 4 PM: STUDENT ARTS EXHIBITION
We are proud to showcase a student art exhibition featuring original works from young, local artists representing Nay-ah-Shing, Onamia, Isle, McGregor, East Central, and Hinckley schools in grades K–12.
Students explore the theme of ‘Water Over Nickel’ through painting, photography, beadwork, sculpture, digital art, and other creative forms, highlighting the importance of clean water, community, culture, and environmental stewardship.
This exhibition highlights the voices and perspectives of the next generation — those who will inherit the responsibility of protecting the lands and waters that sustain us all.
2 - 4 PM: POSTCARD STATION: SPEAK UP FOR CLEAN WATER
We will have a postcard writing station for attendees interested in helping protect Minnesota’s clean water. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reviewing a permit for a proposed nickel mine located within the Mississippi and St. Croix River watersheds and near community homes, culturally significant waters, and wild rice harvesting sites. Minnesotans can submit postcards to the DNR to speak up for the importance of protecting clean water during a public comment period scheduled for July 14 through September 12.
ABout the Designers
Adrienne M. Benjamin
Adrienne is a proud member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and a visionary Anishinaabe fashion designer known for her bold fusion of traditional Native aesthetics with contemporary expression. Her work breathes new life into centuries-old Anishinaabe decor, dresses, and appliqué, translating them into powerful fashion statements that celebrate Indigenous identity and resilience.
Rooted deeply in her Ojibwe heritage, Adrienne’s designs honor ancestral teachings while reflecting the dynamic voices of modern Native communities. She draws inspiration from nature, tribal regalia, and the rich storytelling traditions of her people, often incorporating floral patterns, vibrant colors, and hand-crafted elements into her garments.
Beyond fashion, Adrienne is an artist, cultural advocate, and educator committed to uplifting Native youth and preserving Indigenous lifeways through art. Whether on the runway or in community spaces, her creations serve as wearable stories—bold, beautiful reminders of cultural survival and creativity.
Through Woodland fashion, Adrienne Benjamin is not only redefining Native style but also reclaiming space for Indigenous designers in the global fashion.
TariaROSE Aubid
TariaRose Aubid (Aabidaanakwad- Everlasting Cloud) carries the Ojibwe name Biidaabinookwe, meaning “Brings new light Woman”. She is an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and comes from the community of Minisinaakwaang, also known as East Lake. Her work is inspired by her Ojibwe culture, community, and lived experiences. Through her designs, she strives to reflect resilience, identity, and the beauty of Indigenous traditions while embracing contemporary fashion.
Her creativity is deeply rooted in storytelling, family, and connection to the land. She draws inspiration from traditional teachings, natural elements, and the strength of Indigenous people, especially OUR women. Fashion, for her, is more than clothing, it is a way to honor where she comes from and express healing, empowerment, and cultural pride.
As a designer, she hopes to continue creating pieces that make people feel seen, confident, and connected. Her work represents both personal growth and the importance of carrying our cultures forward for future generations.
“Our work is always tied to our people, our land, and our resilience. We are always integrated. We can’t have one without the other.”