The increasing popularity of Indigenous clothing and designs can get complicated

Eunice Ketchemonia-Cote

By NC Raine Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Eunice Ketchemonia-Cote, who creates unique ribbon skirts and star blankets says social media can be a double-edge sword for home-based artists like herself. From the Keeseekoose First Nation, she often posts and sells her items on Facebook because it’s a quick way to showcase her work. As a result, Ketchemonia-Cote’s one-of-a-kind designs have been replicated without her consent more times than she can remember. “I think it’s a problem that happens a lot more than people realize,” said Audrey Dreaver, an artist and program co-ordinator of Indigenous Fine Arts at the First Nations University of Canada. She said misusing or outright theft of Indigenous people’s artwork or “intellectual property” has been happening for decades. “It’s a weird phenomenon that is claiming to honour…

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription – Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Add Your Voice

Is there more to this story? We'd like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Contribute your voice on our contribute page.