Part 1: Red Horizons Recap - A runway show Celebrating Indigenous Futures in Art + Fashion
On June 20th, set on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, “Red Horizons: Celebrating Indigenous Futures in Art + Fashion” took the stage in the Art Park's main theater. This runway event was founded and produced by a full indigenous team, ranging from the designers and models to the makeup, hair, and jewelry artists. Coming from all across the country and Canada, these creatives came together with their crafts to curate a powerful and intentional showcase of Native culture. This powerful display of Indigenous culture was brought to life and founded by Kehala Greene-Smith, who is a Turtle Clan member of the Tuscarora Nation and owner of Kreations by Kehala. The event was then produced and hosted by A’ngelee Clause, who is creative, entrepreneur, model, makeup artist, and one of the founders of an indigenous-led network of creatives known as “Creators Favorite”.
Upon walking up to the theater, we were immediately greeted with a buzz of excitement in the air as guests settled in and enjoyed the gallery presentation that featured indigenous artwork. This included work from the late Haudenosaunee artist Samuel Thomas, a member of the Lower Cayuga Band of the Iroquois Nation. The show started off with a performance from Jingle dancers. This was followed by AntoineX, a Nebraska-based hip-hop and R&B artist who is Omaha, Oglala, and Sicangu Lakota. Later in the night guests were then graced with entertainment performances from pop and alternative artist Natasha Fisher from the Long Lake #58 First Nation of Northern Ontario and and then Semiah, a Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) and Indigenous R&B artist from the Turtle Clan. In addition to those amenities, VIP guests had the privilege to experience a curated menu from indigenous chef Lorinda to enjoy alongside the show.
Caption: Jingle dancers open the show.
Over 10 indigenous designers and their collections were featured, with each one having its inspiration and background introduced. A variety of pieces were shown, from traditional wear, modern couture, and to ready to be worn pieces.
One example of this includes the work of Keeli Littleleaf, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Littleleaf’s collection is a mix of her traditional heritage, modern couture, and a flair of pageantry. With this, Littleleaf’s brand, “Ayayat” (which means the Beautiful) offers traditional ledger dresses as well as versions of these dresses that can be worn off the runway.
Along with the whole show centering Indigenous youth’s future in art and fashion, throughout the night the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women was highlighted in various designers’ pieces. According to the National Criminal Justice Center, “Murder is the 3rd leading cause of death for Indigenous Women, which is 10 times higher than all other ethnicities”(NCJTC, 2023). Shown below are three pieces from Littleleaf’s collection that represent the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Caption: three models wearing pieces from Keeli Littleleaf’s collection highlighting the many missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Another designer includes Wabanoonkwe, whose signature collection Water Stories was centered around the water contamination crisis that affects the communities of Wabaseemoong and Grassy Narrows located in Treaty 3, Canada. These actions include polluting their waterways and harming their communities. Sourcing her material from Italy, the collection was showcased at the 2025 SWAIA Native Fashion Week in Santa Fe earlier that year.
According to Wabanoonkwe’s website, the collection tells a story with the fabrics starting bold and black as a representation of mercury contaminated water, to then pieces that bring in more blue representing water purification - with a final look of a blooming flower that serves as “an emblem of Mother Earth’s enduring resilience and the collective strength of humanity, united in the pursuit of healing and a more harmonious future” (Wabanoonkwe).
Pieces from Wabanoonkwe’s Water Stories collection, with the color shift symbolism present and the final “Blooming Flower” piece. Lastly, Wabanoonkwe in white top.
Some other designers included Kreations by Kehala, K.Lookinghorse, Shinymoon Creations, Yugana Hareeta, Sacrd Thndr, Queena Ribbons, Karlene Familo, and Creator Complex. Furthermore, many artists' beadwork and jewelry were featured in the accessories that adorned the models, including jewelry from Isabella Rose Design Co., a Navajo-founded and women-owned company, and copper work from Tlingit artist Jennifer Younger. Red Horizons featured models from all different tribal backgrounds, including an appearance from Dania Wahwasuck from the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe, who won Miss Indian World in 2025.
Caption:Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe, who won Miss Indian World in 2025.
As A’ngelee stated during the show itself, “The definition of luxury resonates with a lot of our traditional regalia work presented… that is fine craftsmanship, that is exclusive and that is hand made”. Red Horizons gave its audience the opportunity to experience this work firsthand, witnessing traditional, intentional, and innovative designs with a team of Indigenous creatives leading the way. It was a privilege and absolute honor to be able to experience the fine craftsmanship and cultural heritage of the many Indigenous tribes that showcased their work. We hope to see more Indigenous productions in Buffalo and the Western New York area that look to uplift Indigenous youth in entertainment, film, art, and fashion. Because, “with each person that takes a step on this stage is five other careers” (A’ngelee Clause).
With so many creatives from the night we felt that one article was not enough. We want to share more moments and pieces from that night - that being said we will be coming back with a Part Two! One that offers more space to share the work of the talented designers, artists, and models who showcased their culture through innovative means. This curated night of Native brilliance and resilience was a privilege to experience and we are excited to show you more!
