Police credit social media with helping to recover seven stolen jingle dresses

A combination of oldtime investigative work and the reach of modern-day social media helped Saskatoon police recover a collection of treasured Indigenous jingle dresses.

According to Saskatoon Crime Stoppers on its Twitter account, each of the seven handmade jingle dresses stolen from a vehicle in a Saskatoon parking lot last month have been recovered. Of all the traditional Indigenous regalia taken on Oct. 30, only a belt remains unaccounted for.

“Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen, including the determined investigating officer,” Saskatoon Crime Stoppers tweeted. “You’ve put a smile on the victim’s face and, we are sure, a dance back in her step.”

Saskatoon police have arrested five people believed to be involved in the Oct. 30 theft that left in its wake a smashed truck window and two suitcases stolen after Tanya Eagle Speaker stopped at a Mcdonalds for a bite to eat before leaving the city. She was bringing her daughter, Kalli’s, regalia home to Alberta after the FSIN Spirit of Our Nations Powwow.

The first two arrests were made after a man and a woman pawned two of the dresses only a few hours after the theft. Police were able to identify the man from the pawnshop’s surveillance footage, while the remaining arrests were made following help from the Saskatoon Crime Stoppers Facebook page.

According to Saskatoon police, the last dresses recovered, as well as moccasins and scarves, were located by pawn detail officers on Tuesday in a residence.

According to Crime Stoppers, its social media post about the theft reached more than 145,000 users.

A 35-year-old man has been charged with theft over $5,000; while a 21-year-old man, 30-yearold man, 50-year-old man and 38-year-old woman are each charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000.

Hours before the remaining dresses were recovered, Crime Stoppers on its Facebook page released several details into the investigation. Police believed the dresses were being stored at the home of one of the accused’s inlaws. The investigating officer urged those in possession of the dresses to “simply bring them down to the police station.”

None of the accused accepted that invitation.

After two of the dresses were recovered last week, Tanya Eagle Speaker said her “daughter’s spirits have been lifted.”