When we were shooting this, I knew I wanted to have a part of this represent where a lot of us currently live – in that urban jungle, the big city, off-reserve, guests on different lands than the ones we come from. I wanted a t-shirt that could travel with me from picking berries in the bush to standing in line at the club. From fishing on the boat to sitting in class, taking notes on campus. Something that could walk between worlds, the way we often do.
I worked with Joi T Arcand for the graphics. She had designed my sweetmoon logo, as well as the branding director behind tea&bannock, a collective blog we created. A Cree artist, I trusted her and gave her minimal direction, which probably annoyed her. We had a few discussions, and I sent her images of mine to start from, but also gave her free rein to edit as need be. And she created visuals that completely represented various parts of my stories, and I raise my hands to her.
The Dene syllabics are just as special to me. Only few women from our home community can read and write Dene syllabics, and my Auntie Marge happens to be one of them. I contacted her, and asked if she wanted to participate. She laughed a little, and told me she knew how to text pictures now, so she could write my words down and send me the translations. Love!
The white t-shirt reads “We Are Beautiful.” The grey says “We Are Powerful.” The black says “We Are The Land.” I picked statements and ideas that resonated with me. I wanted these to uplift people, to inspire them. I wanted the statements to ring true.
#WeAreDene
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Credits:
Models: Tara Campbell, Jazmyne Black, Dene Robillard
Hair: Rachel Pacquette
Makeup: Kacey Beaudry, MUA
T-Shirts/Bunnyhug: SheNative (Logo Design by Joi T Arcand, Dene Syllabics by Elder Marge Reynolds)
Accessories: Circle Beaded Earrings and Bolo Choker: Beads, Rhymes, Life // Beaded Cuffs & Turquoise Beaded Necklace: Catherine Blackburn // Beaded and Leather/Feather Earrings: Savage Rose
