Northern Lights: Native Nations Fashion Night
“Northern Lights,” forever dancing within the celestial heavens of the glacial north.
Welcome To Northern Lights. Hosted by guest MC Kate Nelson (Artful Living Magazine), Delina White, founder and owner of the fashion studio IamAnishinaabe (MN Chippewa Tribe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) is teaming up with Fashion Week MN to present the first annual Native Nations Fashion Night - a celebration of indigenous creative expression through fashion taking place on Tuesday, April 25th at 5:00 pm. Featuring designs from artists Golga Oscar from the Yup’ik Nation of Alaska and Lavender Kingbird, MN Chippewa Tribe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, from Red Lake, MN, the original work of students from the Deer River High School School ISD 317, "Anishinaabe Giikinooamaadi'wigamigoong," will also be showcased, created out of a residency spearheaded by Delina White and sponsored by the Blandin Foundation.
Guests will be welcome to browse original jewelry, wellness products, and bespoke fashion shown in the Native Artisans marketplace alongside a service bar and DJ set by William McKenzie.
Extending beyond the runway, Native Nations Fashion Night aims to create a community between artists and guests, moving in a new industry standard for the inclusion of Indigenous voices in fashion.
Photo Provided by Jacqueline Cassidy
MEET THE ARTISTS
Delina White of IamAnishinaabe, MN Chippewa Tribe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, is the nearest to the Twin Cities, traveling 250 miles, will be introducing the Deer River High School ISD 317, Anishinaabe Education Leadership Group, "Anishinaabe Giikinooamaadi'wigamigoong," and their fashion designs as an advanced guided project sponsored by the Blandin Foundation. Guaranteed to be awe-inspiring!
Golga Oscar, Kasigluk Elders Traditional Council - Yup'ik Nation, is coming to Minneapolis on a 14-hour flight from Alaska to share with us his version of creativity. Carrying on the traditions of his people, Golga is creating apparel that is more than just a fashion statement. It is "a way of life."
Lavender Kingbird, enrolled in MN Chippewa Tribe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe member, resides in Red Lake, Minnesota. Lavender is one of the original founders of IamAnishinaabe, along with her mother, Delina White, and younger sister, Sage Davis, in 2015. Since then, Lavender has charted her own journey focused on today's Native peoples (spectators & dancers) within the pow-wow circuit and special occasion apparel, such as traditional ceremonies. Lavender began making beadwork at ten years old, and her work has been taken off, being recognized internationally for her beautifully created designs with applique and ribbon work. Lavender also creates beaded accessories that complement her apparel.
Byron Nicholai, a Yup’ik musician from Toksook Bay, Alaska, is best known for his viral videos singing in the Yup’ik language. In 2014, Nicholai started uploading videos on a Facebook page called, “I Sing, You Dance.” One video in particular went viral and amassed over 150,000 views. His first album, “I Am Yup’ik,” in Yup’ik won best sell in world music for New Zealand and Australia on Amazon Music. Since 2016, his style has ventured more into Yup’ik rap, hip-hop, and R&B.
Kate Nelson, Alaska Native Tlingit tribal member, Master of Ceremonies: award-winning Native American magazine writer and editor based in Minneapolis. Editor-in-Chief of Artful Living magazine, a top US boutique lifestyle magazine. She has interviewed such luminaries as Padma Lakshmi, Andrew Zimmern, and Chef Sean Sherman, and has written in publications including ELLE, Esquire, Architectural Digest, Teen Vogue, Bustle, Landscape, and more.
For More Information
Date and Time: Tue, April 25, 2023, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM CDT
Location: Machine Shop 300 2nd Street Southeast Minneapolis, MN 55414
Delina White’s Instagram: @anishinaabekweniin
Website: iamanishinaabe.com
Email: iamanishinaabe@gmail.com
Press release provided by Jacqueline Cassidy, adapted by Lucy Owiredu.