Image
Audio
By Windspeaker.com Staff
With Files from Dustin McGladrey of CFWE-FM
“In Blackfoot, Otahpiaaki describes the moment when the sole and the vamp of the moccasin are sewn together,” said Taryn Hamilton, a representative with the Otahpiaaki Indigenous Beauty, Fashion and Design Week.
Otahpiaaki is also a gesture or expression of reconciliation inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the 94 Calls to Action.
Hamilton is a student at Mount Royal University in Calgary, and a self-described social innovator. She is part of a project that is striving to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples as neighbors for conversations and teachings shared through creative and artistic practises.
Otahpiaaki Indigenous Beauty, Fashion and Design Week is a week-long event beginning on Sept. 18 and running to Sept. 23 which includes workshops and programming brought to participants from 15 Indigenous designers and facilitators.
It kicks off with a performance by Grammy-nominated Northern Cree Singers hosted by Paul Brandt, who is the storyteller in residence at Mount Royal University.
On Monday, Sept. 18 through Thursday, Sept. 21 there are workshops where participants get to meet the designers and work with them. Thursday will also be the first of three fashion showcases. One is “truth” themed, one is “youth” themed, and one is “reconciliation” themed.
In one workshop, participants will be making moss bags that will be donated to a group that provides scholarships to Indigenous mothers pursuing post-secondary education. Hamilton said that’s the workshop that she is particularly looking forward to.
And there is a way to take part and contribute to the fashion showcases, either this year, or during the next six years that the project will run.
“We want to be as inclusive as possible with Otahpiaaki,” said Hamilton, “and we had to start thinking of a creative way to do that, and we wish we could include all Indigenous nations across Canada, so we thought we would actually do a call out for powwow earrings and small regalia,” which will be featured in the showcases.
Anything that can fit in a small envelop is encouraged. Submissions are due by Sept. 9.
Go to Otahpiaaki.com/opportunities and fill out the form, then send the material to Mount Royal University.
As part of the activities there will be a screening of "Rumbles: The Indians that Rocked the World.”
“Otapiaaki is a project that really works toward reconciliation of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. And this is your chance to come and learn about appropriation and appreciation with a challenge for participants to take action on reconciliation in Canada,” said Hamilton.
“And we want to emphasize that this is not just for Indigenous people. This is for non-Indigenous people who want to learn about Indigenous culture and to really respect it with us.”