Background in working with First Nations

1- In 2011, Lundstrom purchased regalia and sewing supplies for the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre, where she conducted pattern-making workshops and was honoured in June 2011 at a blessing ceremony for the jingle dresses made with the materials supplied.

2- Currently in the planning stages of a mission to Pikangikum, a community north of Red Lake, which has the highest youth suicide rate in the world. Together with Kaaren Dannenmann and Bill Treadway, funds are being sought to bring a ‘Sewing Workshop’ to engage the youth.

3-  The ‘Niichikwewak Beaders’ were established in 1986 in Lundstrom’s home town of Red Lake, Ontario. This group of Anishnabe women designed and produced beaded accessories for Linda Lundstrom Inc. for over 20 years. Beads, hide, threads, needles needed to complete the orders, were supplied by Lundstrom. Finished products were sent to boutiques through North America.

4- Lundstrom designed and manufactured beaded deer hide jackets, worn by Ovid Mercredi, former Grand Chief, Assembly of First Nations, the late Bill Maamakeesic, Chief, Treaty Three, as well as the late Pierre Burton, who wore the jacket when he received the Order of Canada. The pony bead pattern on the yoke was created and made by the Niichikwewak Beaders. The finished jacket was assembled in the Lundstrom factory in Toronto. The pattern for the body of this jacket is available to each Sewing Workshop, to be marketed as an iconic garment.

5- Chief Elijah Harper MP, personally asked Lundstrom to design a carrying case for his feather headdress. The designer was honoured to be asked to provide this special product.
Chief Harper uses the case today to transport this regalia to ceremonial events.

6- Lundstrom was born and raised in Cochenour, Ontario where her mother had a fabric store in the basement of their home. The only place within 200 miles, talented women came from many of the reserves North of Red Lake, to buy fabric for lining their mukluks, moccasins and supplies for their beautiful beadwork. These First Nations visitors were valued customers, respected and admired for their skills. Even though Linda and her mother did not speak their language, there was no problem communicating…they had in common a love of making things with their hands.

7- In 1987, together with Kaaren Dannenmann (trapper, educator, historian, community activist for First Nations), the Kiishik Fund was created. Kiishik has received honoraria exceeding $200,000, from Lundstrom’s speaking engagements. These funds were used to create awareness of First Nations culture, language and traditions in the classrooms and the community of Red Lake, Ontario. The fund also supported the ‘Red Lake Trappers Festival’, scholarships for training Native language teachers and many other initiatives.

8- In 1988, together with John Kim Bell and the Canadian Native Arts Foundation, a ‘Native Art Competition’ invited artists from bands across Canada to participate. That began 25 years of collaborations with Native artists from BC to the NWT, (including Archie Beaulieu, Tim Mohun, Abe Kakepetum, Albert Jamieson, Maxine Noel, Christi Belcourt). The artists received a percentage of sales or design fee, contributing to the Lundstrom LAPARKA Collection until 2008.

9- In 1974 Linda Lundstrom Inc. was founded in Linda’s apartment. When the factory and name were sold in 2008, the company owned 3 retail stores, distributed products to over 400 retail boutiques in Canada and the USA and manufactured everything in the company’s state-of-the-art  Lean Manufacturing facility in Toronto, employing up to 150 people.