Harrowsmith – September 2019

34

Brandi Morin is the founder
and Edmonton-based designer
behind Mixed Blood Apparel. Her
company integrates Indigenous
culture and endangered
Indigenous languages into
contemporary fashion designs.
Morin’s kohkum (“grandmother”
in Cree), Ruth Petrin, of the
Michel First Nation, was sent to a
residential school after the death
of her father in 1945. Petrin lost
most of her Cree language until
she was dying of stomach cancer.
Morin says her kohkum suddenly
began speaking fluently in Cree.
Mixed Blood designs are a tribute
to Morin’s beloved grandmother
and her own Métis bloodlines.
Her line of T-shirts, hoodies, yoga
leggings and accent cushions
includes words and phrases in
Cree. Kohkum’s Story Leggings

incorporate her grandmother’s

actual handwriting, found in short

stories and memories scattered

about her house when she died.

Harrowsmith sat down for a

virtual cup of coffee with Morin

to learn more about Stony Plain,

Alberta, wall wonton soup and the

true anchor in her life.

Harrowsmith: So, where is the

best place to sit down and have

a coffee in your town?

Brandi Morin: The Multicultural

Heritage Centre. It’s a museum

and art gallery with a restaurant

in the basement. They make the

most delicious fresh bread and

pies there, as well as savoury

homemade soups. It’s a neat little

place to enjoy by yourself or

with company.

Wall Wonton Soup, Lilacs

and a Painted Past

A walk through Stony Plain, Alberta,

with Brandi Morin of Mixed Blood Apparel.

BY JULES TORTI

ABOUT A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF

A CUP OF

WITH

A LOCAL