Aanii, ndinaawamagaanadog! Maygabow Ogidajew Kwe, nindizhinikaaz. Gaa- Aanii, ndinaawamagaanadog! Maygabow Ogidajew Kwe, nindizhinikaaz. Gaa-waabaabiganikaag + Um’oha, ndoonjibaa, Migizi ndoodem. This traditional Anishnaabemowin greeting roughly translates to: "Hello, all of my relatives! My name is Woman Standing on the Mountaintop. My family is from White Earth, and I currently reside on the unceded lands of the Um’oha people, commonly known as Omaha, NE, USA. I am Eagle clan."
Valerie St. Pierre Smith, in English, is an award-winning, two-spirit multi-disciplinary artisan, designer, writer, educator, and healer known for her use of color, texture, technology, and upcycling. Her work is a bridge between cultures and times, reflecting her experiences as a mixed blood Anishnaabe-kwe. With an eclectic background including fashion, costume, and textile design, her work been shared across Turtle Island, including at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Calgary Fashion Week, and the National Museum of the American Indian. Her designs have also been showcased on stages including the Kennedy Center, McCarter Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and with Pilobolus Dance Theatre. Valerie’s creative practice is deeply rooted in the cultural legacy and aesthetic traditions of her Anishnaabe ancestors, while employing contemporary technologies and fabrics to explore cultural identity, sustainability, and the role of technology in modern design. A bit of a unicorn, she is also deeply engaged with her research, teaching, and writing practice, focusing on indigenizing and decolonizing western Euro-centric design practices. Both her creative and scholarly practices reflect her profound knowing that fashion, art, and adornment are a dialogue between identity, culture, relationships, time, and place. Her work not only celebrates her heritage but also serves as a medium for healing, social justice, and the expression of identity. Valerie holds a B.F.A. from Stephens College and an M.F.A. from San Diego State University.
