Native Nations Fashion Day

MN State Proclamation

At the Native Nations Fashion Night event in Minneapolis in 2023, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, representing Governor Tim Walz, proclaimed April 25 as “Native Nations Fashion Night” Day. The following is the official proclamation language.

“Native Nations Fashion Day is a testament to the resilience and unique lifeways of Native peoples. We want people to get decked out to celebrate Indigenous creative ingenuity, our narrative, sharing stories, and expressing pride in our appearance.”
— Delina White, IamAnishinaabe

STATE OF MINNESOTA PROCLAMATION 

Whereas: Traditional Indigenous artistry has been passed down for generations and has influenced the fashion industry of today and throughout history; and 

Whereas: Indigenous communities have led the way in the design of clothing, jewelry, and accessories using sustainable materials gathered from the earth, through trade, and by using multimedia contemporary design technologies to indigenize mainstream fashion trends; and

Whereas: Indigenous designers are part of Minnesota’s growing fashion industry with collections that incorporate sewing, beading, quillwork, and graphic designs showcased each year at a runway show and artisan market during Minnesota Fashion Week; and

Whereas: This year’s theme for Native Nations Fashion Night is Northern Lights, providing a unique fashion experience and artistic performance of texture, color, and movement while representing the lifeways of the Yup’ik of Alaska, and the Great Lakes Woodlands Anishinaabeg of Minnesota; and

Whereas: Native Nations Fashion Night features original designs by Delina White, Minnesota Chippewa Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and a Native jewelry maker, beadwork artist, and leading fashion designer in Minnesota; and

Whereas: Delina White’s “IamAnishinaabe” contemporary and traditional apparel will be featured on the Natitve Nations Fashion Night runway, the work of a true fashion icon that continues to inspire and lead the way for future generations of Indigenous artists and designers.

NOW THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, April 23, 2023 as NATIVE NATIONS FASHION NIGHT DAY.