Biography 

 

Risa Atkinson is a proud Cree Métis designer from Black Diamond, whose love for sewing began at a young age. Encouraged by family and guided by traditions passed down through generations, she has spent her life crafting and creating.

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With a deep passion for the arts, Risa pursued Fine Arts at the University of Lethbridge before honing her skills in the Fashion Design program at Olds College. While raising her children, she stepped away from design but is now returning to her craft with renewed purpose—creating one-of-a-kind pieces that blend culture with contemporary expression.

 

I am honored to share my latest collection, where the spirit of the Cowboy Life intertwines with the strength and beauty of my Indigenous ancestors.

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I come from a lineage of men who have long been caretakers of the land—generations who dedicated their lives to the Hudson’s Bay Company, great cowboys, and master horsemen. The women of my family were soft yet unbreakable, embodying resilience and grace. I am one of them, and I am raising my daughters to walk the same path.

 

Tonight, as my designs take the runway, they tell the story of my family, our history, and the legacy we carry forward.

 

 

Secret of the Sash

 

A collection honoring the past through traditional craftsmanship:

 

• Hudson Bay blanket, beading on deer hide

 

• Early Hudson Bay colors woven into elk hide

 

• Coats and garments crafted from Hudson Bay and Pendleton blankets, softened with deer hide and accented with denim

 

• Handcrafted purses and jewelry, rich in symbolism and history

 

 

Remnants of My Life

 

A second collection, born from the fragments of past creations—stitched together like the stories of my journey:

 

• Tipi canvas, deer hide, antler, wool

 

• Materials gifted, traded, and repurposed

 

• A reflection of sustainability, resourcefulness, and respect for every thread of my work

 

• Featuring 4-5 distinct pieces

 

 

The show will close with a powerful statement—my buffalo robe, a piece I have named:

 

 

Circling of the Buffalo

 

A tribute to strength, survival, and the ever-turning cycle of life.

 

 

Please enjoy this journey through fabric, memory, and tradition as my family’s story unfolds before you tonight.