Kwakwak’wakw Fashion Show earns ovation
By Kathy O'Reilly North Island Eagle, April 17 2026
While it may have gone off with a few hitches, the 3rd annual Kwakwak’wakw Fashion Show was once again an unqualified success.
The show, led by Aurellia Nelson, hamalakane’ga Kwakwani, was held April 11, at the Port Hardy Civic Centre.
“I truly feel the show was beautiful! I was told it was the best show yet,” said Aurellia of the event.
With the cancellation of two designers, “we improvised!” Rebecca Baker-Grenier brought two of her collections, removing one from the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC).
Grenier-Baker is a multi-disciplinary artist who debuted her first complete collection at New York Fashion Week in 2022. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Elle Canada, and worn on red carpets.
For the first time this year, jewellery had its chance on the runway.
“Our vendors Coastal Bead Collective and Marsha Cooper were both given the opportunity to shine,” Aurellia said.
Coastal Bead Collective is a group of Indigenous women in the unceded territory of the Lekwungen people that creates authentic Indigenous made products.
Marsha Cooper creates beautiful ermine and seal fur and rabbit fur earrings.
And yes, there will be a fashion show next year.
“What the people want, the people get,” said Aurellia.
“I’ve been told that they look forward to the show every year, I hope to continue to bring events like this to the community. Hoping 2026 brings more opportunities!“
Sponsors included MOWI, Kwakiutl Health Centre, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Elders, Aquatrans, Orca Sand and Gravel, Northisle Copper & Gold, North Island Power & Electric and prize donors Wilderness Seaplanes, K’walilas Hotel, Hamumu Tamgwilas, ‘Makwala Creations, Nadine Baker, Coastal Bead Collective, Wuikinuxv Woman’s Native Hand, Tum Tum threads, and Aunty Patricia Dawson-Hunt.
Photo — Kathy O'Reilly
The 3rd annual Kwakwak’wakw Fashion Show was held April 11, at the Port Hardy Civic Centre featuring designers Aurellia Nelson, Rebecca Baker-Grenier, Coastal Bead Collective and Marsha Cooper.
Cyanotype process introduced at Seedy Saturday
By Kathy O'Reilly North Island Eagle, April 17 2026
Those who attended the annual Seedy Saturday event April 11 got to focus on blue as well as green this year.
Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society Adult Literacy Coordinator Jeanne James-Hory’s table included the opportunity for people to create cyanotype bookmarks to take home.
Invented in 1842 by Sir John Herschel, the cyanotype is a camera-less, sun-printing process that produces iconic Prussian blue images using iron salts instead of silver.
Originally designed for copying notes, it was adopted by Anna Atkins in 1843 for botanical studies - creating the first photographically illustrated book - and later used widely for architectural blueprints.
“It’s pretty magical,” said Jeanne, and a fairly simple process.
The paper is coated with a light-sensitive solution (mix of Potassium Ferricyanide and Ferric Ammonium Citrate) and allowed to dry.
Participants were invited to place objects on top, like leaves, moss, feathers, or little twigs, and expose the bookmark to UV light or sunlight.
For the event Jeanne had constructed her own light box.
After 10 to 20 minutes, the uncovered areas turn a rich, deep Prussian blue while the covered parts stay white. After a quick rinse in water, the image appears almost instantly.
“It feels a bit like developing a photograph, but much more hands-on and forgiving,” she said.
“What I love about cyanotypes is how accessible they are. People don’t need any art experience to get beautiful results, and there’s something really satisfying about arranging natural materials and seeing how their shapes translate into silhouettes,” Jeanne explained.
“For Seedy Saturday, we made simple bookmarks so people could create something small and take it home. It fit nicely with the gardening theme,” she said.
“I’m really happy it was such a hit. It was a lot of fun to see people try it for the first time.”
In addition to the cyanotypes, the MWFLS table featured little soil testing zines/booklets that people could make and take, a spot where folks shared gardening tips with each other, and some fun recipes like nasturtium butter, dandelion frittata, and nettle soup.
Photo — Kathy O'Reilly
Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society Adult Literacy Coordinator Jeanne James-Hory’s table at Seedy Saturday April 11 included the opportunity for people to create cyanotype bookmarks to take home.