What to 'snag' from Indigenous creators this Valentine's Day

Indigenous creators are putting their spin on Valentine's Day this year, offering one-of-a-kind gift ideas. 

One such creator is Amy Jackson, from Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba, who founded the online store Native Love Notes hoping to lift people's spirits during the pandemic. 

Jackson said she started creating funny digital designs on an Instagram page less than a year ago. The business grew into creating printable stickers and more products, which she now works on full-time. 

After finding success making products during the Christmas season, she decided to create a "Snaggintimes Day" box.

"We make jokes about snagging and stuff, and I was like, 'of course, Snaggintimes Day,'" she said.

Classic conversation heart candies adorned with what Jackson calls the "rezziest" pick-up lines are included in the box, along with other cheeky items like greeting cards, stickers, candles, lip scrub and lip balm. 

"Basically we've tried to put our designs into anything that we don't typically see ourselves represented in everyday life as Indigenous people, especially our humour," said Jackson. 

Some of the funny phrases include "Be my snag," "Mere den" (come here then), "Ever sick," "Decolonize and chill" and more. 

One of her favourite sayings on a sticker is "Hey I think ur deadly."

"Some of my friends and I joke around about putting our phone numbers on the back and giving these stickers to people if we're out or whatever, if we meet anyone," she said.

"I just want to make people laugh." 

Just like Amy Jackson, Aislyn Carlson is creating Valentine's Day themed items for purchase, and is relatively new at her craft. 

Carlson grew up in Thompson, Man., but is from Barren Lands First Nation. She started sewing last September and now works at Turtle Woman Indigenous Wear in Winnipeg. She decided to make a ribbon skirt that had a cultural take on the day of love. 

"I know a lot of Indigenous women like to wear their ribbon skirts," she said.