Global Affairs: Canada (wk #1)

In response to an article "It's on national TV, it's all over Canada': Indigenous designer's dresses hit Junos red carpet", By Alex Brockman, with CBC News Posted: Apr 06, 2017

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/tishna-marlowe-indigenous-designer-junos-1.4057819

for 2017 Were held last week in Ottawa, where 3 northern indigenous artists chose to grace the red carpet wearing pieces by an indigenous designer Trishna Marlowe. (below)

Photo: Kayley Mackay

(https://norj.ca/2015/01/six-red-beads-shares-oral-culture-through-wearable-art/)

Tiffany Ayalik, Leela Gilday, and Tanya Tagaq all wore creations, each piece with their own unique style and individual meaning behind them, by Tishna Marlowe. Originally from Lutsel K'e, Northwest Territories, and now lives in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

While wearing Tishna Marlowe's designs, Tanya Tagaq, who is an Inuk throat singer, performed at the Junos. Leela Gilday from Yellowknife, presented the "Indigenous album of the year award" to Tiffany Ayalik, who is part of the duo Quantum Tangle, and also from Yellowknife.

For Tishna Marlowe, having her creations displayed at such an event was a big deal.

"When I saw Tanya wearing the dress, I totally started tearing up," Marlowe told CBC this week.

"It was 'Oh my God,' Tanya's wearing my dress at the Junos. It's on national TV. It's all over Canada.'"

"They're role models," she said. "Trailblazing in the music industry and working hard to show there is talent in the Northwest Territories. I'm honoured to be a part of that."

All three women had approached Marlowe recently about a dress, and she knew Gilday and Tagaq were wearing theirs to the Junos, but Ayalik just said it was for "an event."

Gilday's is called "What would a Dene woman wear to the Junos?" The 50s-inspired piece highlights Dene identity with traditional beadwork, but is still modern, Marlowe said.

Tagaq's red dress honours missing and murdered Indigenous women and the beading is meant to represent Tagaq's family.

Ayalik's copper-coloured corset is named "Marcie" after Marlowe's younger cousin.

A Tribe Called Red and Tanya Tagaq pose at the Juno awards show Sunday April 2, 2017 in Ottawa. Tagaq's red dress honours missing and murdered Indigenous women. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Reading this article I am so proud for the fact that there are Canadians like these wonderful women. These 3 musicians taking their opportunity in the spotlight to display pride in their roots and their culture, and shine for more than just themselves, but also the people of the North, especially Tanya Tagaq's dress that helps to bring awareness to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women taking place here in Canada. I wish more artists would use their clothing not just to look beautiful, but also to celebrate culture, roots and life. I also wish there were more artists like Tishna Marlowe who are using their talents to create beauty and also tell important, and inspiring stories. While also standing for ethical manufacturing and community development. I would like to see, and I hope, Tishna's presence paves the way for more designers and artists of their craft to rise up in her footsteps. and that the demand for such designers and creations would arise.