ONIGUM — Delina White creates clothes that tell the story of her people.
White is the founder of I Am Anishinaabe, an organization working to create a fashion industry standard to celebrate Indigenous culture.
A member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, she has a Bachelor of Science degree from Bemidji State University in business administration. Anishinaabe fashion is a burgeoning business in Native communities of Northern Minnesota.
In the first of KAXE’s series of conversations about the April 25 event in collaboration with Fashion Week Minnesota: Northern Lights Native Nations Fashion Night, White talked about how her ancestors are with her as she works.
“So that's what's really important about our culture and perpetuating our culture into the future is to hold on to some of those basic, traditional things that we have used over and over again, that make us identify as distinct and separate nation of people,” White said. “Traditional designs of otter tracks are a popular one.”
White carries with her the beliefs of her grandmother and great grandmother in fiber and beading arts. Now she works with her daughters and granddaughters and community in the contemporary fashion scene to pass on her cultural knowledge.
White‘s focus is not just on her family and their business. She also works to create opportunities for other Native designers, models, musicians and entrepreneurs through her fashion shows. In expressing the commitment to tradition and family and history, White said she believes fashion can be a catalyst for change.
This year, White’s exclusive designs were worn by Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a White Earth enrolled member, for the inauguration of her second term in executive office. White explained how the patterns, colors and ribbons of the outfit interacted in a traditional style.
"So that's what's really important about our culture and perpetuating our culture into the future is to hold on to some of those basic, traditional things that we have used over and over again."Delina White
When asked what she thought it meant to Flanagan on such an auspicious day, White said, “I feel like it was like a warm hug of her ancestors, giving their acknowledgement and recognition.”
Northern Lights Native Nations Fashion Night is April 25 at the Machine Shop in Minneapolis. This event made possible in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through KBXE.
