The stairs leading up to the mezzanine level of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) have been painted a striking red. As I climb, I step over the poetic words of the curator whose exhibit I’ve come to see.
“Fashion is not simply aesthetic. It is where tradition meets innovation. Where presence becomes power. It is sovereignty and belonging. Fashion carries the memories of our ancestors. And the visions of generations yet to come.” – Rebecca Baker-Grenier.
The words are a reminder of the visual power of fashion and how what and who we see shape our understanding of the world. They’re also a reminder that the culture of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is not a relic of the past, where many have tried to place it, but a living, evolving force carried forward by the people who continue to infuse it with life.
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Indigenous Designer and Curator, Rebecca Baker-Grenier
One of these people is Guest Curator Rebecca Baker-Grenier, an award-winning Indigenous Designer of Kwakiutł and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh ancestry.
After graduating from the University of British Columbia with a major in Indigenous Studies, Baker-Grenier apprenticed with established Indigenous designer and artist Himikalas Pam Baker. She later completed the Indigenous Couture Residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in 2022.
Baker-Grenier’s first full collection debuted at New York Fashion Week in September 2022, followed by Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week. Since then, her work has been featured at the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market Fashion Show, Vancouver Fashion Week and Indigenous Fashion Arts in Toronto.
Her pieces have been shown at Vancouver International Airport, the Bill Reid Gallery and the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and have appeared on red carpets and in Vogue and Elle Canada.
Now, her designs, along with works she’s curated, are on display at the SLCC in Whistler through spring 2026.
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Woven Pathways: Fashion and Cultural Continuity
The name of the exhibit, Woven Pathways, speaks to the way the designers featured represent their identities, which are rooted in lineage, land and culture, with the future of fashion. Their challenge: to bring ancestral stories to modern times and designs, in order to create a new, representative pathway for fashion.
“Fashion is not simply aesthetic; it is a powerful assertion of presence, sovereignty and belonging,” Baker-Grenier shares. “The artworks are rooted in traditional teachings, materials and techniques, yet the artists are innovating and transforming these foundations to create a pathway that defines the future of Indigenous fashion.”
I stare in awe at the glass boxes containing the shell jewellery of Lil’wat artist Katrina Wallace, who draws inspiration from her late grandmother’s cedar root baskets. Another showcases a stunning silver tiara by Squamish artist Kolten Khasalus Grant, who has woven the beauty and sacredness of the hummingbird into his artwork. The shining metal is juxtaposed with the yellow, oranges and purples of Lil’wat artist Moody Dan’s beaded pieces, which are inspired by local flowers and plants.
” I love the process of turning something fragile, like tiny glass beads, into forms that feel strong, playful and alive.” – Lil’wat Artist Moody Dan.
Moving into the main exhibit room, I don’t know where to look first. The space is filled with pieces that are striking, thought-provoking and beautifully crafted. To my right, a contemporary blue and red suit by Baker-Grenier commands attention.
“…this suit has been worn both on the runway and in the courtroom. In this dual role, the suit embodies the intersection of art and law as spaces where Indigenous brilliance, resilience and sovereignty are asserted.”
Sustainability, Sovereignty and Storytelling
To the left, a sculptural work titled A Waterfall of Fast Fashion comments on the extractive nature of the fashion industry. Much of the exhibition features remade or upcycled garments, including Desmon ‘Day Day’ Pack’s upcycled suit with removable “hands of thanks.”
“Indigenous fashion is not based on temporary trends, it carries cultural values and teachings, using materials harvested sustainably, and is created with care and passed down through generations.” – Baker-Grenier.
At the far end of the gallery stands the powerful MMIW Red Dress by Himikalas Pam Baker. MMIW refers to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and the red dress has become a symbol honouring those who have been taken and the families who continue to grieve.
I don’t want to give more away; this is an exhibit you need to experience for yourself. Woven Pathways is included with SLCC admission, which also includes the hourly What We Treasure guided tour.
By visiting the SLCC, you’re connecting with the stewards of the land you’re exploring and supporting an authentic Indigenous-owned, non-profit organization that contributes to cultural revitalization and offers meaningful employment to Nation Members and training through the SLCC Indigenous Youth Ambassador program.
Read more about what a visit to the SLCC entails in our dedicated blog.
Above the Clouds Indigenous Fashion Show: November 23, 2025
The Above the Clouds Fashion Show, presented in partnership with the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and supported by the Resort Municipality of Whistler, is the grand finale of Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.
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The show begins at 3 PM on Sunday, November 23, in the SLCC’s Great Hall. It features collections by five celebrated Indigenous designers:
- Tishna Marlowe
- Yolonda Skelton
- Rebecca Baker-Grenier
- Vina Brown
- Cheryl Fennell
- Plus Lil’wat Youth Designers
The event also includes performances by Hakuum and music by DJ Tribal Touch.
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Tickets are $35, which includes full access to the SLCC. There’s also an Indigenous Artisan Market in Istken Hall from 11 AM to 6 PM, offering fashion, art, and gifts from Indigenous creators across Turtle Island (North America). Admission to the market is free.
On the same day at 10 AM, you can also take part in an exclusive workshop with Copper Canoe Woman (Vina Brown) and Rebecca Baker-Grenier on cultural appreciation in design. The workshop is free, but registration is required.
I can’t wait to see some of the pieces from the exhibition in the show. To see the memories and visions for the future that Baker-Grenier poetically spoke of come to life in a place built to celebrate Indigenous culture.
