Wabanaki Fashion Show helps domestic violence survivors explore Indigenous art

Natasha Martin-Mitchell says creating art gives her a sense of calmness that acts as a medicine during stressful times.

The fashion designer has put together a clothing line highlighting Indigenous stories and art that will be on display Saturday night during the Wabanaki Fashion Show at Fredericton's Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

Martin-Mitchell is a board member of Gignoo Transition House, which provides support and services to Indigenous survivors of domestic violence. 

The fashion show will also showcase art created by Gignoo's residents.

"When we have women and children come to our home... they reconnect with their culture by learning how to do ribbon skirts, learning how to do beadwork, learning how to make earrings," she said.

"I just want to empower, I want to highlight Indigenous stories, I want to highlight Indigenous artists, I want to highlight Indigenous fashion designers."  

Martin-Mitchell said being in a room with artists during the event will provide meaningful experiences and inspiration to the Gignoo residents.

Nipahtuwet Naka Wespahtuwet Possesom Paul, the event's organizer, said this is the first Wabanki Fashion Show in the region.

"One of the really amazing parts about Indigenous fashions, it has to do with our livelihood," he said. 

"It's everything from... your uncle that's, like, chilling out on the street and hanging out with people in streetwear, all the way to your auntie going to a very fashionable gala to powwow styles... to everything in between."

Paul said the fashion show will display art from the entire Wabanaki region, which includes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, parts of Quebec and the northern United States.

He hopes the show blossoms into more in the years to come.

"We would love to see a Wabanaki fashion week develop," he said. "We're really excited to get people here... get everybody together and celebrate when it's all done."