Quannah’s tattoos are a hand-poke style called Yidįįłtoo, a tradition of the Hän Gwich’in people in Alaska and Canada dating back thousands of years. She grew up deeply connected to her ancestral land in Alaska, which is under threat by climate change. 

Meet Quannah Chasinghorse

What does sustainability mean to you? 

Sustainability means a lot to me, especially as an Indigenous person. A lot of our values and our practices teach us that we are a part of nature, and that in order to take of it we have to put ourselves on the line, but also show up in a way where it’s making an impact in everything that we do. In everything that I do I always keep in mind my values, and I was taught that nature is not below us or above us. We are the same. We are one with nature. And, when we are protecting nature, we are also protecting ourselves.  

If you could make a bag out of anything, what would it be? 

Honestly, being in this space and shooting here where I'm surrounded by recyclables and waste, I feel like it reminds me of the ocean and how much plastic and trash is taking over our ocean. We need to remind ourselves that we need to take care of that. It's vital. We're at a point in time where we need to take action. And if I were to create some anything, it would be to take all of the plastic and waste out of the ocean and turn it into something beautiful. 

If you could tell Mother Earth anything, what would you say? 

I talk to Mother Earth every day, but if I could talk to her as if she was my mom, I would tell her ‘mahsi’ choo’ - which means ‘thank you very much’ in my language - for taking care of me, and that I will do everything in my power to also take care of her. I would also tell her that I'm so thankful for all of the beautiful blessings and all of the life that I share this earth with, that I share space with. Every day I learn something new, and every time I talk to Mother Nature, every moment I spend time with Mother Nature, I learn something new and I see something different. Lastly, I would tell her that I love her. 

What would you like to say to Stella? 

What a queen. I am so honoured and so thankful to be a part of this project and to tell this story. You are a trailblazer in this industry, you are not afraid to be the first to do anything. I think it's such a great way to lead as an example to every other brand, to every other fashion house, to show them that you can be fashionable and iconic and sustainable at the same time. You do it so eloquently and I'm inspired by that, so ‘mahsi’ choo’, thank you very much.  

If you could change one thing about the fashion industry to make it more sustainable what would that be? 

Honestly? Representation. There are so many powerful, beautiful people, including Indigenous people, that I feel deserve to be in these spaces that could fully succeed in these spaces, and that can bring a voice and a power to the industry. I know so many activists, advocates, climate warriors, land protectors, water protectors that would love to enter these spaces and make a change. We need more people that care about our Mother Earth, we need more people that want to make that change and we need more people to uplift those voices. 

What is your favourite thing about nature?  

I would say my favourite thing about nature is how it makes me feel. It makes me feel grounded and loved and cared for and it makes me feel alive. It makes me feel human. It makes me feel so many emotions that I feel like a lot of people are so disconnected from, and once we get in touch with that it can take us a long way. It can make you appreciate life more; it can make you see from different perspectives, and it'll help you grow and learn.