Part of the work we do at MINI TIPI is to be involved in our community. We believe that success is measured by how well your community is doing. We want to inspire the next generation to dream big, be proud of who they are, and celebrate their talents, gifts, and culture. When we were approached by Soaring Circle about the idea of creating a design contest for Indigenous youth, we knew that we wanted to be involved!
Partnering with Soaring Circle to Empower Indigenous Youth
Soaring Circle is a Canadian registered charity that empowers Indigenous youth through education, improving their access to career and entrepreneurship opportunities. One of their initiatives is Sewcase.
Sewcase equips schools with state-of-the-art sewing labs, connects students to cultural knowledge in the textile arts, and helps facilitate their access to career and entrepreneurship opportunities in fashion. To date, Soaring Circle has launched large-scale and historic initiatives and has served over 125 communities.
Fostering Talent and Entrepreneurship Through Design
In collaboration with Soaring Circle, the limited-edition brand WOVEN was created in 2023. WOVEN aims to provide opportunities for Indigenous youth all across Canada to be inspired by design and entrepreneurship. This design contest was the first of its kind and inspired youth to create a drawing with the possibility of being woven into a blanket. This collaboration and initiative provides the opportunity for the youth to see the potential in their talents and careers in fashion and entrepreneurship.
Summer Testawich from Syilx Territory in Snpinktn, B.C submitted the winning design called “We are All One” for the 2023 contest.
We are very proud of this partnership, and the collaboration we now have with Summer. Involving Summer in the process of taking her winning drawing and transforming it into a beautiful blanket allowed her to learn and develop an understanding of how her artistic skills can be a path to entrepreneurship. This kind of mentorship and opportunity is so important for fostering the next generation of artists and leaders.
The 2025 Young Designers contest
The youth are our future and we look forward to seeing many more Indigenous students participate in the next design contest. It is a way to empower and uplift Indigenous voices through opportunities like the design contest WOVEN. It opens doors, eyes, and hearts.
The 2025 Young Designers contest will be launched in January with full details on the Sewcase website.
FAQ - Everything you need to know
What is WOVEN, and how did it start?
WOVEN is a limited-edition brand created in 2023 through a collaboration between MINI TIPI and Soaring Circle, a Canadian charity that empowers Indigenous youth. This initiative launched a design contest that invited Indigenous youth to create artwork with the potential of being woven into a blanket, supporting them in exploring their creative talents and career potential in fashion and entrepreneurship.
Who won the 2023 WOVEN design contest?
The winning design for 2023, titled “We Are All One,” was submitted by Summer Testawich from Syilx Territory in Snpinktn, B.C. Her design reflects a message of unity and has been transformed into a beautiful blanket in partnership with Woven.
What is Sewcase, and how does it support Indigenous youth?
Sewcase is an initiative by Soaring Circle that equips schools with high-quality sewing labs, connects students with cultural knowledge in textile arts, and helps Indigenous youth access career and entrepreneurship opportunities in fashion. Sewcase’s outreach has positively impacted over 125 communities across Canada.
Why is MINI TIPI involved with this initiative?
At MINI TIPI, we believe in inspiring the next generation and giving back to our community. By partnering with Soaring Circle and supporting initiatives like the WOVEN design contest, we aim to uplift Indigenous voices, foster young talents, and help Indigenous youth celebrate their culture and pursue creative, entrepreneurial careers.
When will the next design contest take place?
The 2025 Young Designers contest will be launched in January 2025. Details will be available on the Sewcase website at https://sewcase.ca/.
How can I support WOVEN and similar initiatives?
Supporting organizations like Soaring Circle or purchasing WOVEN products from MINI TIPI are both great ways to contribute. Your support helps fund opportunities for Indigenous youth in creative fields and contributes to building a strong, diverse community.
