Luugigyoo Patrick Reid Stewart and Linda Lavallee of CreeNisga'a Clothing stand in front of their newly opened store in Waskesiu. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Now open

Cree designer reclaims family’s place in Waskesiu

Jul 4, 2020 | 12:00 PM

Sixteen years after she founded CreeNisga’a Clothing, owner and designer Linda Lavallee has opened her first brick and mortar store in Waskesiu – but in many ways, Friday’s soft opening for family and friends was the completion of a much longer journey.

Nearly a century ago, Linda’s ancestors were forced from their land after Prince Albert National Park was created in 1927.

“I could have the store anywhere, but it’s in Waskesiu where my great-grandfather used to live,” she told paNOW, adding she’d waited years to secure a spot for rent in the town. “It just feels like I’m going home.”

Linda learned to sew and bead from family members growing up in Timber Bay and later attended shoemaking school. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Linda, who was raised in Timber Bay, but now lives in B.C., grew up hearing stories from her father and uncles about her great-grandfather Louis Lavallee and his cabin on the edge of Lavallee Lake.

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The Métis trapper spent most of his life there, but was ousted along with his children and grandchildren when his land fell within the newly drawn boundaries of Prince Albert National Park.

The family is still fighting to have the land returned or to receive compensation for it, Linda said.

“My dad, when he was alive, always [said] ‘never give up your land, even though it was taken from you, don’t give it up.’ And that’s what we have in our hearts.”

Linda is quick to emphasize the Waskesiu store, doesn’t just belong to her, but to all the Lavallees – particularly her uncle Jacob, Louis’ last surviving grandson.

On Friday, he attended the soft opening in a pair of custom leather CreeNisga’a boots.

Linda Lavallee and her uncle Jacob Lavallee. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

“They had everything there, cattle and horses,” said Jacob, describing the Lavallee Lake home where his father grew up. “My dad said he used to race around on the horse on the sandy beach.”

Jacob said he’s pleased to see his niece opening a store Waskesiu and joked she’ll likely make the area a lot of money.

“I’m happy Linda is in the park now,” he said. “She can take care of it.”

Louis Lavallee and his grandson Baptiste, Jacob’s elder brother. (Twitter/Paul Seesequasis)

While the Waskesiu store will feature the leather boots that have made CreeNisga’a famous online, the space will also promote the work of other Indigenous creators. Linda said they’re currently selling pieces from around 17 different artists from B.C. to Manitoba.

She explained she hopes tourists are able to learn about the diversity of Indigenous cultures through the artwork in the store.

“I want them to see what authentic is,” she said. “And them to know that there is so many different cultures and I want them to know the difference. I’m a Cree, my husband’s Nisga’a and that’s totally different. I want to show them, this is Nisga’a culture, this is Cree, this is Dene.”

The CreeNisga’a Waskesiu store will be open until September 7 and is set to return next season.

Linda’s partner, Luugigyoo Patrick Reid Stewart, and son, Cory Lavallee are the main artists behind the brand. Cory’s painting is inspired by a blend of contemporary themes and traditional Cree linework. Patrick’s designs are influenced by Nisga’a stories and cultural protocols.

Artwork for sale inside the CreeNisga’a store. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom