Watchist: “Walking Two Worlds”

By Kamiah Koch

Social media/digital journalist

The outdoor clothing company The North Face collaborated with Indigenous model and activist Quannah Chasinghorse to share her experience as a traditional Native woman finding success in the modern world in a short film available on YouTube. 

Profiling the people who use their gear, the company followed Chasinghorse to her home territory in the frozen Yukon.

“If you want to know who I am, you have to acknowledge where I come from,” Chasinghorse said.

Jody Potts-Joseph, Chasinghorse’s mother, joined the video to describe their homelands and the environmental changes they are facing.

“Alaska is ground zero for the climate crisis,” Potts-Joseph said. “We are seeing so much animal die-off. We’re seeing melting permafrost and warming rivers.”

As part of the most northerly Indigenous people in North America, Potts-Joseph explained that the Yukon River and the animals who live around it are a vital resource for them.

The video demonstrates the rugged cold environment the Han Gwich’in people live in. Chasinghorse drives a dog sled through the snow with her mom aboard.

“My mom and grandma are the strongest women I know,” Chasinghorse said. “That drive to protect and preserve, you know, helped shape me into who I am.”

As a matriarchal community, Chasinghorse attributes the determination and toughness she uses in her career as an inherited trait from the women in her family.

When Chasinghorse was scouted for modelling, she reached success quickly by modeling for Calvin Klien, signed with IMG and was featured on the cover of Vogue Mexico.

Chasinghorse found herself in a world where people considered the most beautiful didn’t look like her. With traditional facial tattoos and a distinct bump on her nose that is common for her people, she battled low self-esteem.

“Now I am able to look in a mirror and see my ancestors stare right back at me,” Chasinghorse said. “I feel I am one of the first Native American models at this level.”

Chasinghorse uses her elevated platform to advocate for issues like climate protection for the artic, animals and her people.

You can watch the entire profile on Chasinghorse at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxr0f7PRj0g&t=156s.