2024 ICON Indigenous Runway

Presented by SIGA

Midtown Shopping Centre (Map) | Friday November 8th 2024 | Reception 8:30pm | Show 9:30pm to 11:00pm

Prayer and openings | Elder: Helen Rider

The Seventh Fire Singers 

Mim.osa

Soaring Circle Youth Sewcase

Youth Ambassador Summer Testawich | Woven Blanket

Okimaw Bird featuring Helen Oro Designs

Jingle Dress Showcase | Wynema Neenaycassum | Kiera Munroe

Drum song - Dustin Strongarm

Velvet

Braided Apparel

Rayne Designs

Prayer & Blessing | Helen Rider

Master of Ceremonies | Michaella Montana - Television host, model, actress, journalist, and producer. 

Event Organizer | Cheyenne Duffee

Event Producer | Mandy Pravda of Mane Productions

Event Organizer | Carlie Letts

Model Coordinator | Lisa Marie Schwartz of Edge Model Agency & Paula Collins of Masala Model & Talent

Audio & Visuals | Pro Plus Productions

Decor | Infinity Event & Design

Runway Music by | The Gaff

Reception Music by | DJ Upbeatz

• Sewcase is a program by Soaring Circle (formerly I Love First Peoples) and is sponsored by Janome Canada, Evolugen, PVH, American Eagle Outfitters, and Manitoulin Transport.

  ICON Indigenous Runway Presented by SIGA

  “Showcasing the ingenuity and creativity of Indigenous artisans”

  The Indigenous feature fashion runway show celebrates the rich heritage and cultural diversity of Indigenous communities through the art of fashion. Set against a backdrop of vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and traditional music, each garment tells a story of resilience, craftsmanship, and connection to the land. Models proudly walk down the runway adorned in beautifully crafted clothing that seamlessly blend traditional techniques with contemporary designs, showcasing the ingenuity and creativity of Indigenous artisans.

  Beyond the aesthetics, this runway show serves as a platform for Indigenous designers to reclaim their narratives and challenge stereotypes. Each piece not only embodies a unique cultural identity but also represents a form of resistance against cultural appropriation. Through this celebration of Indigenous fashion, the runway becomes a space for dialogue, understanding, and empowerment, fostering a deeper appreciation for Indigenous cultures and their contributions to the world of fashion.

  Friday Nov 8 @8:30pm

2024 JMC Wearable Art Show & Gala

Midtown Shopping Centre (Map) | Saturday November 9th 2024 | Reception 7:30pm | Show 8:30pm to 11:00pm

2024 SFW CONFERENCE

“Design Legacies: Indigenous Fashion & Textiles SUMMIT” Presented by Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies

Thursday, November 7 & Friday, November 8

Leading the way in Canada within the fashion industry we are producing as 2 day educational conference, with 150 expected delegates, Keynote speakers and sessions combined of speakers, panels and workshops. New this year in partnership with Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies educating business professionals not just in the fashion industry.

This summit, designed as a collaborative platform, will act as a catalyst to spark creative connections between Indigenous communities, the fashion industry, and textile innovations.  

We aim to gather input around the training needs and support required to develop Saskatchewans’ textile, fashion, manufacturing, and distribution ecosystem. Join us to explore: 

·       Indigenous Design: Traditions & Innovations 

o   Breakthroughs and trends in Indigenous knowledge within the fashion industry. 

o   Relationships between fashion, identity, and wellbeing 

o   The role of fashion and craft in bringing generations and cultures together 

·       Fashion Industry and Business 

o   Trade economies, Indigenous history, and identity. 

o   Connecting creators to resources and innovators to build new opportunities and uplift communities 

·       Sustainability, Innovation, and Technology 

o   How can manufacturing, technology, and traditions support a more accessible, sustainable fashion industry? 

o   Intersections of Indigenous traditions, innovations, and values in fashion 

o   How do we support the future professional development needs of creators, influencers, and manufacturers/distributors? 

KEYNOTE PRESENTERS

“Making Space. Finding your own solutions when faced with design problems. How I built my own textile and design company when I couldn’t find architectural products for my projects.”

For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples in Manitoba, including my Anishinaabe ancestors, created beautiful patterns to adorn their pottery collections and host of bone tools. Most of the surviving pieces are held by museums now, but I think the world needs more than exhibition- we need these patterns in our homes provoking thought; we need them bridging gaps; and, we need them inspiring our loved ones. The Indigo Arrows line picks up where my ancestors left off.

Destiny Seymour is an Anishinaabe interior designer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She graduated with her master’s degree in Interior Design from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba. She worked at local architecture firm in Winnipeg for over 10 years as their interior designer before starting her own design business in 2016.

Destiny started designing artisan textiles for interiors that respectfully reflects local Manitoban Indigenous peoples and their history after struggling to find materials that she could incorporate into design projects. Her company, Indigo Arrows, now offers a range of table linens, pillows, and blankets that showcase patterns from local Indigenous pottery and bone tools that date from 400 to over 3000 years old. 

Links: www.indigoarrows.ca | @indigo_arrows

"Knit is an Indigenous-led enterprise of the VNFC committed to fair wages and sustainability for the knitters of Cowichan Sweaters. Each Knit Cowichan sweater purchase sustains craft, preserves heritage, and uplifts communities"

Ron Rice MGC is from Cowichan Tribes on Vancouver Island, his hereditary name is Wush’q. He has worked with BC Friendship Centres since 1998 and accepted the post as the Executive Director of the Victoria Native Friendship Centre in January 2018. 

He also holds these assignments:

Vice Chair, Island Health Authority (OIC 2020-2026)

Co-chair, Victoria Urban Indigenous Leadership Table

Coordinator, Indigenous Back to School Picnic

Past assignments:  

Manager, Cultural Events & Ceremonies Cowichan 2008 NAIG

Chair, Board of Governors for Camosun College (OIC 2014-2019)

President, VNFC Board of Directors (2003-2017)

The Medal of Good Citizenship was awarded to Ron in January of 2023 by the province of BC for his contributions to community.  Ron has lived and worked in Japan, Korea and Hawai'i.  

Learn More - https://vnfc.ca/knit/ @knit_with_purpose

“How can manufacturing, technology, and traditions support a more accessible, sustainable fashion industry? 

Intersections of Indigenous traditions, innovations, and values in fashion.

How do we support the future PD needs of creators, influencers, and manufacturers/distributors?” 

Sage Paul is an urban Denesuliné tskwe based in Toronto. She is a member of the English River First Nation. An award-winning artist and designer, Sage is also a recognized leader of Indigenous fashion, craft and textiles. Her work centers family, sovereignty and resistance for balance. She is a founding collective member and Artistic Director of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto. 

Sage’s art and designs have been shown at the Art Gallery of Ontario’s First Thursday, Harbourfront Centre, The Centre for Craft, Creativity and Design (North Carolina, USA), and a curated program at Western Canada Fashion Week by Ociciwan Contemporary Art Collective. She has designed costumes for Kent Monkman, Darlene Naponse, Danis Goulet and more. Sage speaks about Indigenous fashion including engagements at Canada House (London, UK), The Walrus Magazine, Ryerson University, Toronto Women’s Fashion Week and South Africa Fashion Week. 

Most recently, Sage presented her collection “Giving Life” at Festival de Mode & Design (Montreal) and Ohtaapiahki Fashion Week (Calgary). 

Sage received the Design Exchange RBC Emerging Designer Award and was recognized as a Woman of Influence (2018), a Change Maker by the Toronto Star, top 100 talented & driven Canadian women by Flare Magazine. Vogue magazine dubbed her a Toronto “cool girl” in 2018. She was honoured by the Ontario Minister of the Status of Women as a trailblazing woman who is transforming Ontario. In 2019, Sage Paul was nominated for the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award in Costume Design and the Indigenous Arts Award, both at the Ontario Arts Council. 

Sage Paul sits on the Ryerson School of Fashion Advisory Board, sits on the Board of Directors for Red Pepper Spectacle Arts and is developing an Indigenous Fashion elective course for George Brown College. 

Learn More - Sage Paul: Indigenous Designer & Artist | SAGE PAUL (@sagepaul) • Instagram photos and videos | Facebook

“Indigenous artists have found artistic and creative ways to dress and adorn themselves, their families, and communities for countless millennia. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the scope and impact of North American Indigenous textile and fashion practices that have been nurturing our spirits and adorning us with art throughout time from ancient ancestral societies into modern day textile studios and fashion houses.” 

Audrey Dreaver is an artist, curator, lecturer, art consultant, and museums/collections advisor. She is a member of the Mistawasis Cree Nation of Saskatchewan. Audrey has undergraduate degrees in both Fine Arts Studio and Museum Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM; and a Master of Fine Arts Studio from the U of Regina. Over the years, Audrey has served on the province's various art and culture-related Councils, Boards, and peer assessment reviews. Her work includes advising, development, coordination, and or delivery of projects that link fine art, curation, museology, academia, and community ranging including small art workshops to coordination of conferences and symposia. She is regularly consulted on provincial and national projects including museum training, inclusive museum and art policy development, curatorial assessment, protection of artist copyright and Indigenous intellectual property, repatriation, community-based collaborations, strategies for Indigenous art markets, and Indigenous art best practices and industry standards. Along with her own art practice and curation, Audrey is currently Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Indigenous Communication & Fine Art Department at the First Nations University of Canada where she lectures on Indigenous art histories of the Americas and teaches studio art.

Satya began in my small, $15 crockpot — not because I had big business dreams or a desire to be an entrepreneur, but because of a real need.

My baby girl, Esme, was scratching her arms and legs bloody. The doctor diagnosed her with eczema and prescribed a topical steroid. Overwhelmed by the science showing the side effects of steroid creams, I wanted a better solution.

Something effective, non-toxic, and fragrance-free, backed by scientifically supported research. But, I couldn't find anything that could safely heal her skin. Seeing my daughter in pain was the absolute worst feeling.

I decided to tackle the problem, using my investigative skills as a journalist and digging into traditional medicine, medical research, and the latest academic studies coming out of universities.

I began experimenting in my kitchen with nothing more than a crockpot and the best organic ingredients I could find.Voila! I created a balm that would clear Esme's eczema within two days.

After so many moms drove hours to try my formula, I knew this was my way of creating change. As a mom, I knew others were struggling to find clean and effective skincare for their family that actually does what it says. 

I want every parent, partner, or friend to be able to access skin relief for their loved ones. I want eczema warriors to get back to doing what they love most without the discomfort in their skin - or the painful, long-term effects of steroid creams.

I created Satya for Esme because I wanted the very best for my own baby, and I believe you deserve that trust and confidence in your skincare too.

Links: www.satya.ca | www.satyaorganics.com | @satyaorganic

FIRESIDE CHATS (Panel discussion)

Jenn Harper (Cheekbone Beauty)

Stephanie Gamble (C.Lysias Designs)

Kelly Drennan (Fashion Takes Action)

Jerret Paquette ( Sic Sox Circular Ltd)

John Spyglass (Mosquito First Nation)

WORKSHOPS *Must be a conference attendee to participate

Workshop #1 Sustainable Style: Design Your Own Custom Split Flannel with Wyatt Miller

Workshop #2: Design for a Cause: Behind the Scenes with SIIT & Hardpressed

Workshop #3: Sublimate & Celebrate: Artful Tote Bags with Audrey Armstrong

Workshop #4: Nature-Inspired Earring Making with Jade Roberts

PRESENTED BY | SASKATCHEWAN INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGIES

SIIT Planning Committee |

Ryan Jimmy, Director, Academic Strategy

Lorian Kennedy, Director - Strategic Initiatives 

Kendra Rosewell, Director, Advancement 

Tia Graham, Director - Innovation

Kathy Wahpepah, SIIT Elder 

Cale Passmore, Program Coordinator, Academic Strategy 

Event Producer | Mandy Pravda of Mane Productions

Speaker Manager | Deborah Aikens

Registration and Volunteer Manager | Carlie Letts of Jane Maria Consulting

Master of Ceremonies | Tennille Campbell, Sweet Moon Photography

SPONSORS

PROMOTION AND EVENT PARTNERS

BEAUTY PARTNERS

CHARITY PARTNERS

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Questions or sponsorship inquiries? Contact hello@saskfashion.com to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you!

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