Carol Emarthle Douglas considers herself a Traditional & Contemporary basket weaver
She creates baskets that tell a story by design, shape, and use of color. Coiling baskets is an extremely time consuming process, and the baskets she produces in a year’s time are one of a kind.
“My inspiration is taken from my Northern Arapaho and Seminole heritage. I have based some of my designs on the Plains style beadwork, ledger art, and parfleche designs from my mother’s tribe. My father is from the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and I also incorporate the colors and patterns of Seminole patchwork into my baskets. I am fortunate to have such a rich heritage to draw upon to inspire my work.” READ MORE…
“Let me introduce myself to you. My name is Marie-Cecile Kakgoosh Nottaway-Wawatie. But everyone calls me Cezin, so can you. I am of Algonquin ancestry, born in Rapid Lake, but raised in the Parc de la Verendrye, QC. I come from a long line of strong Anishinabe First Nation women, who all have contributed to the proud and hard working person I am today. I called my business WAWATAY CATERING in honor of my ancestors, as it is believed that the northern lights are the colors of the spirits of our ancestors who continue to guide us from the spirit world.”
According to Bear Robe, “The show highlights Indigenous fashion designers who look to their cultural past to create clothing, jewelry, and accessories that embody the essence of ancestral memory while creative innovative designs representing the now.” In the film, Bear Robe provides an overview of the misconceptions surrounding Indigenous Art and the problematic nature of terms like “traditional” and “authentic” as well as how the show allows a platform for Indigenous designers to express themselves without the limitations that historically have defined them.
Included Indigenous designers are Jamie Okuma, Sho Sho Esquiro, Cody Sanderson, Maya Stewart, Yolanda Skelton, Shane Watson, Decontie & Brown, Pamela Baker, and Adrian Standing Elk Pinnecoose. Along with interviews with some of these designers, models and attendees also lend their voices, and there is a glimpse of World Champion Hoop Dancer Nakotah LaRance’s opening performance. Stunning and vibrant imagery of models walking down the runway wearing each of the designers’ work is shown throughout the video.
Before “Walk with Pride” was submitted for consideration to the Regional Emmys, the film made the rounds in the film festival circuit with 14 screenings across the U.S. Walk with Pride won awards for Best Documentary at Fashion Film Festival Chicago and New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase and was nominated for awards at the Seattle International Film Festival and Borderscene Film Festival.
In 2020, because a large in-person event was not possible, SWAIA and Bear Robe worked with Waldstein to create a virtual fashion event – a series of intimate bio-pics about seven Indigenous Designers, plus a pre-recorded intimate show of local designer Orlando Dugi’s 2020 capsule collection. The video streamed at this year’s Virtual Indian Market to great fanfare.
Bear Robe and Waldstein are currently applying for grants to produce additional films around the theme of how Indigenous designers of today are incorporating contemporary elements into their designs as they honor their cultural heritage(s).
Press release and information courtesy of Amber-Dawn Bear Robe and Kaela Waldstein
This year’s virtual gala will be held exclusively inside NDN World.
As you likely already know, this platform is brand new for SWAIA, and we have been excited to share this space with you!
Much of the format of this event will be as you’ve known it to be in the past. So come on inside NDN World, choose an avatar, and get ready to party!
RED CHEF REVIVAL
