Help Y.D.A. Get Back Into Production!

Hadih, 

 My name is Vanya Cutler from Yinka Dene Apparel. I am Unist’ot’en (People of the Headwaters) from the Wet’suwet’en (People of the Wedzin’kwa) Nation and Newfie settler on my paternal side. We have 5 Clans and 13 family Houses (within the Clans) in our Nation. I am Gilhseyu (Flying Frog Clan) from Darkhouse, one of the houses that carry some of the oldest stories in our Nation.

 The Yinka Dene Apparel journey started with a fundraiser in 2020 (@xoncewerewarriorsx on IG) for my family at Unist’ot’en camp. Wet’suwet’en Solidarity hoodies were sold in support of our Hereditary system (our system, predating “Canada”). Unist’ot’en Hereditary leaders, stand to uphold the protection of our land - as well as the right to say no to further destruction on our Yintah (through pipelines). Apparel was used as a tool to bring attention to political issues we face as Indigenous peoples on our yintah (territory). Apparel is a great way to bridge the misunderstanding Canadians have with Wet’suwet’en laws and potlatch system.

Within our Hereditary system, community care is something we rely on. Before Yinka Dene Apparel (@oncewerewarriors), we have been able to raise funds for families of victims of police violence with my “To Serve and Protect, Not Murder Neglect” t-shirts. Raising awareness of systemic racism through apparel will always remain a part of what I do. My newfound passion as a visionary would not be possible without the inspiration and input of incredible Indigenous artists. This is how our system has always worked, by working together with those from other Nations.

 In 2021 I bought a heat press and started pressing my original commissioned designs with plastisol heat transfers. Every Wet’suwet’en Yintah, Skoden or Peace Pipe hoodie, crewneck or tee you see was all pressed with love by myself. The goal is to restore pride and create visibility on our homelands as Indigenous peoples. Yinka Dene Apparel carried on with community care raising funds to protect old-growth forests in Pacheedaht territory and also in support of our Gitxsan neighboursneighbors/allies reoccupying their traditional Laxyip. This is where I need your help.

 I’ve invested over $40,000 into Y.D.A. and look back at 2021/22 as a great learning experience, now knowing what works and what doesn’t through trial and error. I’ve achieved success on a small scale setting up in my home community of Kya Wiget (Witset) selling apparel with my son at pop up shops and through the gas bar. I would like to take this success beyond my home community.

I’m looking for support to set up an online shop, and support for more inventory, that will focus on original commissioned designs from amazing Indigenous artists. I have an email full of unreleased material. I’m requesting investment from the people, that will go back to the people over my time in operation. The goal is to legitimize Y.D.A. as an official business, to sustain myself, continue on with fundraising, getting important messages out, and to put money into the hands of those that need it the most.

My first two shirts, in this next part of the journey, will raise awareness and accountability to police violence and neglect (with permission from both families). The two shirts will be memorial tees for two Wet’suwet’en men that have passed on, with all the profit going to the family of the those stolen from us, and to share the message that our people deserve more. Support will help with inventory and commission artists for the memorial tees, and the start of community contribution going back to the people.

 I thank all of you that have and will support Y.D.A. Without you there would be no success. Not only has this journey connected me with more members of my Nation, it has also connected me with Indigenous artists from all over. Without the beautiful work from Jaimie Davis, Stephanie Anderson, K.C. Hall, Hlox Majagalee, Ronnie Dean Harris, Peatr Thomas, Randall Bear Barnetson, Kolin Sutherland-Wilson & Michelle Stoney, none of this would be possible. I look forward to connecting with more artists in the future.

 Thank you/masih to my partner, family & all those who have encouraged me along the way (like my way older cousin @wetsuweten_checkpoint), and to those who amplify this message and continue with encouragement. The goal is to do this without government grants. 

Sne kalyëgh,

 Vanya

EMT’s also accepted at 

[email redacted]