After a two-year pandemic hiatus, Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW) returns to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre November 28 to December 2 for its third edition, with the goal of rekindling joy in the face of grief.

New collections from 32 Indigenous fashion designers from across Turtle Island (North America) will sashay the runway on models of First Nation / Métis / Inuit descent. In between shows, guests can shop for gifts from Indigenous vendors and enjoy musical performances by The Wolfpack, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Soul Shakers, DJ O Show, DJ Kookum, and more.

“For the Indigenous community, the last two years has been marked by grief. We lost many cherished elders and the gruesome legacy of residential schools saturated everything, so we decided to focus this year’s VIFW on joy and celebration,” says Joleen Mitton, founder and co-producer of VIFW and All My Relations Indigenous Society, the nonprofit organization behind the event. “We hope that everyone who attends will feel festive to be in community, and see us triumphant. We’ve been here since time immemorial, and we’re still here.”

This year, VIFW also formed the Wisdom Circle to support the development and maintenance of a culturally safe, respectful, and responsible planning process and event that centers equity by honouring Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh protocols. The Wisdom Circle is made up of Indigenous leaders from the three Nations. Members include Pam Baker; Alexis McDonald; Charlene Alec; Debra Sparrow; Kris Achie; Ruthe Alfred; and Maynard Johnny Jr, among others.

Full program and tickets are available as of today, online. —Vita Daily

vifw.ca