Indigenous Education Week

Lesley Hampton (she/her) is an Anishinaabe Artist and Fashion Designer focused on mental health awareness, body positivity and authentic representation in fashion, film and media. She is the Creative Director of LESLEY HAMPTON, an Indigenous-owned, size inclusive clothing and accessory brand based in Toronto, ON, and is also a signed curve model with BNM Model Management, and speaker on Indigenous entrepreneurship.

Lesley is a member of Temagami First Nation, located in northern Ontario, and she also identifies as a 'third culture kid' with her early life of constant relocation. Formative years spent in Canada's Arctic and Atlantic, Australia, England, Indonesia and New Caledonia, added to her quest to establish a personal and cultural identity. She defines herself through the amalgamation of her Anishinaabe indigeneity and her early nomadic upbringing. Lesley has nurtured a passion for socio-cultural concepts, to help define her identity and reconnect with her indigenous roots.

Lesley has been an ambassador for equality, diversity and authentic representation of both beauty standards and culture within the fashion and media industries. This advocacy coupled with her artistic passion and ability naturally took shape through what is now her fashion brand as well as her personal brand.

Justin Jacob Louis is the Creative Director and Founder of SECTION 35. He is a member of the Samson Cree Nation and was born and raised in Nipisihkopahk (Samson) on Treaty 6 Territory. He now calls Unceded Stó:lō Territory his home. His work blends the past with the present and finds inspiration in the juxtaposition between these elements. He launched SECTION 35 in 2016 with the intention to use art and fashion to tell his peoples' stories.

Justin was a finalist for Menswear Designer of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Art and Fashion Awards ("CAFA") in Toronto. His work has seen features in numerous publications from Vogue to Complex and was included at "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" at the Metropolitan Museum of New York in 2022.

IX BALAM Marta Orellana is IX BALAM, a Guatemalan born child of the diaspora. As an interdisciplinary artist with a focus on fashion and photography, her indigenous roots greatly influence her work. Having lived in North, Central and South America, IX BALAM explores the duality of the universe through Mayan cosmology and contemporary societies.

Neechi By Nature was established in 2020, after two years of research and development Neechi By Nature launched its first collection in 2022. Neechi By Nature is focused on building its own brand of Indigenous apparel, accessories, footwear, art and entertainment. Neechi By Nature's vision, looks and concepts are inspired from Indigenous design, streetwear and high fashion. Each of their collections are thoughtfully designed and curated, while being produced on a limited basis to combat fast fashion, no one piece is ever the same. Neechi By Nature aims to support the artist community through it’s nonprofit initiatives which aim to create space, free and affordable services, and exhibit platform for all emerging artists.

Aaniin retail inc. is Canada’s First Department Store that is 100% Indigenous owned. Chelsee Pettite founded the business in Toronto in June 2021. Aaniin houses Canadas’s most recognizable Indigenous brands and businesses in store and their online platform. Brands such as Section 35, Cheekbone Beauty, Lesley Hampton and our fast growing house brand of apparel “aaniin”. The aaniin brand of apparel showcases Indigenous syllabics on each of the apparel items in efforts to start the conversation on Indigenous languages while creating visibility for Indigenous people all year round.

Ocean Kiana is an Nishinaabe woodland style artist from North Western Ontario raised by the Martiarchs of her family. Her Nishinaabe name is Waabshki Memegwans, meaning White Butterfly and she is of the Wolf Clan. On her home reserves Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Pic River First Nation) and Netmizaagamig Nishinaabeg (Pic Mobert First Nation) she grew up attending ceremonies, powwows and being out on the land with her family.

Ocean comes with a background of digital art, painting, drawing, beading and sewing. Her Anishinaabe territory, community and identity has a strong influence in the art she creates consisting of vibrant colours, florals and woodland style dancers. She gives her credit to the many Anishinaabe artists who came before her, who mentored and inspired her to be where she is today.