Being rooted provides us with a sense of belonging and helps us remember who we are and where we come from as Cree people.
This is the inspiration for Maskwacis resident Barbara Dumigan-Jackson's unique business venture called Stay Rooted. Her new business plan sees caring for Mother Earth as the basis of everything she does.
Stay Rooted, an Indigenous-owned apparel and clothing shop, was created by Barbara and her daughter Kiya to help spread awareness to save Mother Earth, as well as share the importance of embracing culture through meaningful designs.
Running a small business can be a lot of work.
“The business part is a lot of work when you're first starting out and getting a lot of orders,” said Dumigan-Jackson, referring to the behind-the-scenes part of the business like mail-outs and distributors. However, friends who also have local businesses can be a huge source of support and advice.
“We go back and forth and help each other.”
“We did research as well of other Indigenous businesses, and had this idea for almost a year.”
As a Plains Cree woman from Saddle Lake Cree Nation and Whitefish Lake First Nation, Barbara has a deep passion for her First Nations culture, and it shows in the Indigenous inspired clothing found at Stay Rooted.
The goal is to inspire others to give back to the land, protect water, and help end the First Nations water crisis in Canada.
Everyone has the right to clean water. Ten per cent of proceeds will be donated to provide a family in a First Nation community with a water filtration system, and for every item you buy at Stay Rooted, they’ll plant five trees.
Stay Rooted 🌲💧ᑲᓇᐁᐧᔨᐦᑌᑕᐣ ᒥᑐᓴᐠ – Stay Rooted ᑲᓇᐁᐧᔨᐦᑌᑕᐣ ᒥᑐᓴᐠ - kanawêyihtêtân mîtosak (myshopify.com)