A Movement to Create Opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged populations in Canada
Indigenous Women and Youths situated in urban parts of the country have access to many resources and opportunities, the same cannot be said for those positioned in remote and/or isolated regions of Canada, specifically those in Northern Ontario. As such, SDNR for First Nations (an organization created at York University and the Schulich School of Business) is on a mission to change these circumstances – one small project at a time.
Based on the feedback they received after launching the first ever Toronto Indigenous Fashion Week in December 2017 and the second show in March 2019 as well as the Ottawa Indigenous Fashion Week in July 2019, the team knew that the Indigenous women and youths wanted more. Much more! In fact, two of the Designers who attended the Toronto Indigenous Fashion Week in December 2017 actually launched the Annual Timmins Indigenous Fashion Show in November 2019: https://www.timminspress.com/news/local-news/designers-host-inaugural-indigenous-fashion-show
Moving forward with their “Mission” SDNR is proud bring forth the Thunder Bay Indigenous Fashion Week this December 2019. The week’s activities will include a networking event, workshops, as well as a marketplace and an interactive lecture which will be given by Charlene Lindsay an Indigenous Ph.D scholar. The week of activities will end with a final runway show, photo collaboration session and a social media frenzy.
The Workshop component will include Dress Making, Beading, Sewing, Designing and various other cultural activities as well as opportunities to learn more about the “Revitalization” of Indigenous fashion, arts and languages. The Indigenous runway show will feature some of the most eclectic Designers, Artists and fashionista’s from many of the remote fly-in only First Nation communities.
To keep in touch with SDNR – please connect with them through their new website: https://www.sdn-r.ca (launching in the New Year)