Spotlight on Women of the Land (NLOWE and Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities)

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day - a time to celebrate the diverse cultures, contributions, history and heritage of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across the country. We encourage you to take some time to reflect upon the importance of this day and celebrate by attending an event near you. (If you're in the St. John's area, we suggest you check out the celebration at Bannerman Park, hosted by First Light.)

If you're looking to support Indigenous artists and creatives, a collaboration between local artisans, Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities and the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) has made that easier.

The Women of the Land NL website features Indigenous women artisans from across the province.

Launched in December of 2022 as part of the three-year Atlantic Canadian Women in Growth Partnership project (funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) through the federal government’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund), Women of the Land NL is an online platform that showcases Indigenous women artisans and service providers from across the province.

Women of the Land NL features an assortment of products, like these beaded, moose hide and antler applique earrings from Alex Antle.

Currently featuring 14 artists with products and services ranging from beaded earrings and hats, paintings, hand stitched moccasins and hand woven baskets to dried flower workshops, guided foraging tours and more, the website strives to grow awareness of and access to the work of Indigenous women. Women of the Land is not an e-commerce site, but does include featured artists' emails and social media links for potential customers to get in touch.

Dawn Penny’s sealskin products are also featured on Women of the Land NL.

In addition to providing promotional and networking opportunities, the participating artists have learned a lot from being involved with the project says Carolyn Wakeham, NLOWE's Director of Programming & Evaluation.

"We provided additional support to them after it was launched. We did some more programming, like an online pricing workshop. We did a workshop on wholesale versus retail. And we introduced them to a retailer that was interested in carrying more Indigenous products," she says.

Wakeham hopes the site will grow and encourages any Indigenous women artisans in Newfoundland and Labrador who would like to be featured to submit their information via the online form (click here to submit your information to the Women of the Land NL website).

Ribbon skirts by artist Jenny Brake.

Click here to visit Women of the Land NL and learn more about the local artisans and the products/services they have to offer.