Makayla Ross will soon walk the runway in Japan. (submitted photo/Menor Photography)

By Nigel Maxwell

Indigenous culture

Local woman to join Japanese trade mission

Apr 10, 2019 | 5:55 PM

A young woman with connections in the Prince Albert and Saskatoon areas, will join a special Canadian delegation this summer on a trade mission to Tokyo, Japan.

Makayla Ross, 22, was invited to model the work by Indigenous fashion designers. Ross who has been modelling since she was 13, including as a participant in Top Model Search Canada, said she has always wanted to go to Japan.

“My best friend growing up was from Japan and she would always tell me stories. So as soon as I heard there was a chance to go there, I definitely jumped on that,” she said.

The trade mission organized by online marketplace Indig Inc. will feature Indigenous artisans and fashion designers from across the country, as well as powwow dancers. Having grown up at Red Earth Cree Nation, Ross, who also has experience dancing, said she takes great pride representing Canada as an Indigenous woman, and added she has received a lot of support as well.

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“Not even just my family and friends, but also like my community and the people that are supporting Indigenous models to go to Tokyo,” she said.

Heather Abbey, founder and CEO of Indig Inc, is from Little Pine First Nation and grew up in Regina. She said the trip this July was made possible, after developing a great relationship with the trade commissioner in Japan.

“Indigenous goods, items and the collectibles are really revered, enjoyed and appreciated by markets that are over in Europe and Asia,” she said.

Abbey said after receiving hundreds of applications, a group of 40 was chosen to go on the trip. Abbey was the first to admit the selection process was not easy.

“We really looked for delegates that had something extra, but mostly we wanted to give back and help create that community of empowered and supportive individuals,” she said.

Ross at Top Model Search Canada. (submitted photo/ Alana Ross)

In addition to the artisan and dancers on the trip, a pair of elders will also be tagging along who will be there to ensure the proper protocols are being followed, and all the cultural items are taken care of along the trip. In addition to celebrating the work of the vendors, Abbey said her main goal is to open up a portal to help facilitate sales for the artists and vendors.

“Indigenous culture is all about sharing, it’s really about passing on our values, our traditions and our culture and those teachings are not just relevant to Indigenous culture,” she said.

Along with news of the trip, Abbey learned this week her company will be featured on an episode of CBC’s Dragon’s Den. The show will be filmed sometime next month.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell