Indigenous Fashion Arts is hosting a Town Hall to initiate the new IFA Association that is member-driven and advocates for and protects Indigenous people working in fashion, craft and textiles. Prospective Indigenous members will gain access to industry and cultural tools, resources, guidelines and supports. At the Town Hall, IFA will consult with pre-registered artists and designers in fashion to establish and implement the framework for the Association.
Facilitated by Marcia Nickerson, Indigenous management and governance consultant, 40 Indigenous fashion participants will contribute to the Association’s development. At the Town Hall, IFA will present a vision, constitution, bylaws and other rules accessible to and changeable by participants. The discussion around policy, benefits and resources will address the things Indigenous artists and designers care about, like intellectual property protection, minimum fee schedules, childcare, consumer awareness, industry access, international trade, professional development and member dues.
Forty tickets have been distributed to programmed artists of the 2022 Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival only. The development of the IFA Association, including this Town Hall, is facilitated by Marcia Nickerson (Mi’kmaw) and a published report will be made for public access in late 2022.