A Skirt With a Story Eco Reusable Shopping Bag by Emily Kewageshig

Oscardo is a leading souvenir and gift supplier featuring some of Canada’s most iconic Indigenous artwork. Since 1997, Oscardo has been an industry leader, paying royalties to 24 artists for every product sold and consulting the artists during development to ensure a beautiful product that fairly represents and promotes their artwork. Known for carrying quality items featuring top designs, Oscardo’s products are found in Indigenous-owned stores and wholesalers, boutiques, museums, public and private art galleries, National Parks and government organizations in every province across the country. 

Indigenous Ownership: Oscardo is part of the Arctic Beverages family. Arctic Beverages is owned by Athabasca Basin Development, Prince Albert Development Corp and Paskwayak Business Development Corporation, collectively representing 13 First Nations and four northern communities.

Emily Kewageshig is an Anishinaabe artist and visual storyteller from Saugeen First Nation in Ontario. She moved away from her reserve to Toronto at 17 years of age to pursue a higher education, with hopes of making a living doing the one thing she loved the most - creating art.

After becoming a mother in 2018, Kewageshig reflected on how everything in life is cyclical, a concept informed by her heritage. Like a circle, without a beginning or an end, the earth orbits the sun, the seasons come and go in faithful order, and every living thing is bound to its life cycle. Collectively, Emily’s work highlights interconnectedness of all living things while promoting the need for harmony and balance so the life cycle of each plant, animal, and person can be preserved for the vitality of future generations. Stylistically, her work uses vivid colours and bold, graphic lines using both traditional and contemporary materials and methods.

Kewageshig continues to be a role model for First Nations youth across Turtle Island, as she continues to chase her dreams by inspiring and teaching through her art. In 2020 she returned back to her home community of Saugeen First Nation.

“Inspired by my loving family and all the beautiful children that surround me. Allow my colourful visual expressions to remind you of all the greatness that life has to offer, and the magic of the spirits that we carry within us.”