Indigenous Fashion Show returns to Spirit Mountain Casino

 

By Nicole Montesano

Smoke Signals staff writer

The Northwest/West Coast Indigenous Fashion Show at Spirit Mountain Casino has grown significantly from its first year, featuring two intermission acts fitted between sets of designers. The collections went beyond clothing this year, with some designers showcasing beaded jewelry instead.

Ribbon skirts, jingle dresses, basketry designs, beads and sequins were on display, along with tiaras, royalty crowns, feather fans, medallions and braids. Attire ranged from casual outfits, classic A-line skirts and breezy summer dresses to formal regalia and gowns. Several of the models wore moccasins in a variety of styles; a couple went barefoot while others sported chunky heels. A few thigh-high boots also made an appearance.

Outfits in one collection included several pairs of men’s jeans in heavily patched blue denim as well as orange, adorned with baggy front thigh pockets featuring strips of bright pink and blue floral fabric, “influenced by powwow culture and grandmas all over,” according to the designer. The collection also included a women’s pair of shorts and a tank top in the same floral fabric.

Another collection with jingle dresses and ribbon skirts paired with wide leather belts included a jingle dress dance performed by the models.

Many of the collections contained a reference to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, such as a white man’s overcoat with red handprints and a calf-length, long-sleeved red sheath dress slit up the side, with blue handprints scattered across the hem. A few models wore the symbolic MMIP red handprint across their faces.

The show was organized by Keeli Littleleaf (Warm Springs), a model and fashion designer, who worked closely with Ampkwa Advocacy, a Grand Ronde-based nonprofit that advocates on behalf of MMIP and works to raise awareness. Emcees were Ampkwa Advocacy board member Kola Shippentower (Umatilla) and her son, Abraham Shippentower (Umatilla). Abraham Shippentower sang a blessing song to open the show.

Many of the models were taking the opportunity to enter the field for the first time, following an application call on social media, Littleleaf said. A few brought family members with them: One young woman walked with a 2-year-old sibling on her hip, while a man brought his infant and young son to join in. The child showed off his modeling chops with aplomb as he folded his arms and posed back-to-back with his father.

“The show was definitely intended to not only bring the nine Tribes of Oregon together to showcase unity through fashion and artistry, and we not only want to propel Indigenous excellence but (also to) break colonial beauty standards, providing an opportunity for Indigenous people of all backgrounds to enter into entertainment and fashion,” Littleleaf said. “I think that’s really important; maybe others wouldn’t have an opportunity otherwise. (We also wanted) to show traditional Oregon hospitality.”

Grand Ronde Tribal member Auburn Logan had her new collection on display, as she expands from modeling to design. Logan said her “Heavenly” collection, featuring all-white dresses, gowns, nightgowns and menswear, was “created and inspired by angels in clouds in old paintings,” that she has been “fascinated by since childhood.”

Logan said it was also “inspired by one of my language teachers from the K-5 language program when I was learning Chinuk Wawa as a youth. She always treated me with dignity, respect, kindness and love. She was very beautiful. She always wore her hair down, which was black, or wore it in a braid. To me, she was an embodiment of an ‘angel,’ someone who was soft, gentle and carried herself beautifully.”

In between sets of collections, Indigenous rappers and hip-hop artists entertained the crowd. Wassla Allen (Klamath), W44vy (San Diego) and G Precious (Ohkay Owingeh) performed in the first set.

In the second set, brothers C.L.A.N. or Changing Lives Around Nations, comprising brothers Grizzley Brown and YNG Native (Yukutat Alaska and Seattle), performed with Fish Martinez (Shasta, Moroc, Yurok, Mescolero and Azteca) and Josh Saus (Rocky Boy Montana Chippewa Cree), while DJ Buckwheat Kurtis Wiggins kept the music going.

Fashion designers for the show include the following:

Aurolyn Stwyer, Native Queens, War Party Apparel, Kweys Creations, Finest Feathers and Beth Ann Gibson, House of Jingle Dress, Nitahz Clothing, Fish Martinez, EWS Gen, Ussasence, Angela Noah, Syreeta Thompson, Foxfire Designs, Heavenly by Auburn Logan, Shiney Moon Creations, Jericho, Harris Sisters Company, Creations by Kehala and Thomi Mountain Sheep.