Indigenous designers at Neechi Commons 'not in it alone' thanks to co-op structure

Roxanne Shuttleworthsays a co-operative model is the right businessstructurefor Indigenous designers wantingto lift each other up.

She is a founding member of the Winnipeg-basedAboriginal Designers Cooperative, a collaborative modelrun by Indigenous artists who make customclothing, jewlery and home decor, and sell their wares at a rented retail space atNeechi Commons and continue to do so, even following the closure of the grocery and retail store in the space.

"We've always been a community that supports each other collectively," Shuttleworthtold CBCManitoba's Weekend Morning Show.

"It was always what's best for the community, what's best for the village,and that's the co-op model. You're not in it alonewe're with agroup."

As the collective approaches its third anniversary, Shuttleworthsaidthe business model celebrated Saturday onInternational Co-operative Day isn't for everyone.

Members must commit to working togetherandalign on shared goals, likeretail storefront.

It was always what's best for the community, what's best for the village,and that's the co-op model.- RoxanneShuttleworth, co-founder ofAboriginal Designers Cooperative

But if they agree, members find itbetter to worktogether than alone, she said.

The co-operative was inspired by Indigenousdesigners wantingto take ownership oftheir craft. They said their styles have been appropriated by some of the most famous namesin fashion, and they wanted to unite under one banner to share ideas, collaborate and refer their clients to other designers.

She encourages customers to support authentic designersrather than the imitators.

"Wehave something to say through fashion, through apparel, through home decor," she said.

That doesn't mean her stylesare only for Indigenous people. Sheloves seeing anyone wearing her original pieces, she said.

Still renting at Neechi Commons

While the designers' co-operative shop has thrived, other co-operatives can struggle.

Last month, the Neechi Commons grocery and retail store on Main Street whereShuttleworth's co-opis located shuttered operationsdue to mounting debt.

Shuttleworth says it's disappointing, considering the potential the Indigenous-owned food co-operative had.

The closure harmstheAboriginal Designers Cooperative because of the public perception that the building itself is closed.Their gallery space remains open at865 Main St., she said.

"We're very much there," Shuttleworthsaid.