The Saulteaux woman has a dream come true as she walked and jigged the runway at New York Fashion Week | CBC News

A model from the Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation in Saskatchewan not only walked the runway at New York Fashion Week, but also performed traditional jigging.

Courtney-Dawn Anaquod, a model and dancer who lives and works in Saskatoon, said she wanted to cry with happiness but was able to hold back the tears.

“Because it was a dream come true, it absolutely was,” she said.

She said the experience was also empowering.

“Every step I took on the runway was a step of healing for our ancestors who [came] before us who fought for us.”

She said she got the chance to walk the runway after International Indigenous Fashion Week (IIFW) held a 2020 Model of the Year competition and she was nominated by a designer in the Art and Fashion category. Although she won in October 2020, she had to wait until last weekend for her chance to walk the catwalk.

She said it was not only her first time in New York, but also her first trip outside of Canada. Her father, Donny Anaquod, along with her cousin Rosanna Anaquod, helped her drive there.

“She [are] such huge supporters in everything I do,” said Courtney-Dawn.

family pride

Donny Anaquod said it was “amazing” to see his daughter walk the runway.

“I was in tears, the dancing was absolutely fabulous,” he said.

“It was the realization of her biggest dream and I wanted to see that.”

He said Courtney-Dawn always made a point of modeling and experiencing the fashion scene.

“She definitely achieved that goal,” he said.

Courtney-Dawn said breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma is important to her.

“I’m doing six years of sobriety, I’ve fought a battle with alcoholism,” she said.

“[I fought] my way through and [survived] Three Relationships to Domestic Violence.[I grew] in a family circle with cycles of family violence and addiction, that is [I was] able to overcome these challenges and these troubling times in my family and in myself.”

Courtney-Dawn said she took whatever challenges she faced and turned them into opportunities for her to rise up and overcome them.

“I’m Going To Jig On This Airstrip”

Jigging is another passion of hers and she was happy to get the opportunity to show that off as well.

She said the organizer of the International Indigenous Fashion Week asked if she also wanted to show off her jigging talent.

“I had told her, ‘Absolutely, I’m going to jig that runway,'” she said.

“I really dance everywhere I can.”

Courtney-Dawn said that not only did she jig at the fashion show, but she also jigged in all eight states that she crossed on her way to New York.

“Dance is the center of who I am,” she said.

Donny said that Courtney-Dawn has been dancing since she was 10 years old. He is a guitarist and played gigs during Courtney-Dawn’s childhood and she traveled with him on trips.

“She was always with me and she spoke directly to the other dancers and understood very quickly,” he said.

Courtney-Dawn said another reason she felt this journey was important is to inspire other indigenous peoples and youth to follow their dreams. She has two children, ages 13 and 16, and a 19-year-old nephew who she raised.

She said she wants to show her kids that anything is possible.

“Someone may go through some struggles and challenges in life, but you can still achieve your dreams,” she said.