Algonquin College’s Mamidosewin Centre is hosting the non-profit Soaring Circle’s Sewcase Skills Lab, which aims to support and empower over 1,000 Indigenous students. Soaring Circle President Josée Lusignan explained that Indigenous people remain underrepresented in the fashion industry, so the non-profit designed the lab to create a familiar, culturally safe space where Indigenous students can see that the doors to further education and/or a career in fashion are open to them. The organization has equipped the centre with state-of-the-art sewing machines and textiles, provided curriculum support, and connected the college to mentorship from Indigenous creators and global brand experts. “We are expanding a space where Indigenous students can build skills, further grounding themselves in who they are,” said Algonquin Director of Indigenous Services Anita Tenasco, who expressed the college’s gratitude to Soaring Circle. “The new sewing machines, the beautiful fabrics and craft supplies are a tremendous gift and a welcome, wonderful addition to the programming available to Indigenous students who attend Algonquin College.”
