Page 52 - 05_June-2025
P. 52
In nêhiyawêwin, fire is a mixture of two words —
iskwew (woman) and ohte (heart). Rhonda
Johnson of Acahkos Designs created the custom
garment to honour the love and warmth we
receive from women. She incorporated masculine
and feminine elements of fancy bustle and
powwow dance outfits, including the ribbons
found at the back of men’s regalia. It has some
movement with the brightly coloured ribbons,
while the sequins sparkle like flames. The garment
reflects the teachings I received from my best
friend, Sunshine Sakebow, on how to respectfully
portray Indigenous womanhood in drag.”
52 EDify. JUNE.25
