Sask. model struts runway at New York Fashion Week, hopes to inspire Indigenous Youth
A model from La Loche recently walked the runway at New York Fashion Week and hopes his success will inspire Indigenous youth across the country.
When Jazz Moise moved to Toronto for post-secondary, he developed a passion for fashion. He then returned to his community in Northern Saskatchewan with a new style.
"At first, I was afraid to express myself, but that faded over time," Moise told CTV News.
The 25-year-old substitute teacher used social media to share his fashion and soon gained recognition for his ability to turn winter roads into runways. He caught the eye of Two-spirit designer Scott Wabano.
"Seeing that confidence, I just made it my mission, I want to be able to work with this person," Wabano told CTV News.
Wabano chose Moise to model his new clothing line.
“Wabano (clothing line) is a genderless streetwear brand focused on educating others about the colonial impacts of gender binary on 2slgbtq identities within Indigenous communities,” he said.
Moise was among many Indigenous models strutting the runway.
“Just a powerhouse of Indigenous people taking over New York Fashion Week,” Moise said.
Modelling in New York opened his eyes to new opportunities, and one day he wants to be a professional stylist.
"When he puts his mind to something, he can achieve anything he wants, and he's not afraid to show the world who he really is,” Moise’s aunt Leanne Gailey said.
Moise aspires to be a model on stage, and a role model for the Indigenous community.
"I want to set an example to the youth in any Indigenous community, that there's more to life than what you could be going through," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4 children discovered unresponsive on Quebec shoreline
Four children were found unresponsive on a shoreline in Portneuf-sur-Mer, Que. on Saturday after they were swept away by the tide in a fishing incident. One man is still missing, while six other people were rescued.

Antipsychotic drugs use increased in Canadian long-term care homes, pointing to possible quality-of-care issues: study
New study finds increase in antipsychotic drugs use in long-term care homes across Canada, despite no significant increase in behavioural symptoms – something that may expose a potential area of concern for quality of care, researchers say.
More than 5,000 new species discovered at future deep-sea mining site in Pacific Ocean
More than 5,000 new species have been discovered at an expansive future deep-sea mining site in the Pacific Ocean.
Pope warns of risk of corruption in missionary fundraising after AP investigation
Pope Francis warned the Vatican's missionary fundraisers on Saturday not to allow financial corruption to creep into their work, insisting that spirituality and spreading the Gospel must drive their operations, not mere entrepreneurship.
Feds open to cutting plastic production but global agreement will be hard: Guilbeault
Canada is open to the idea of including a requirement to cut back on the production of plastic in a new global treaty to eliminate plastic pollution, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said Friday.
Here's what Nova Scotia's wildfires look like from outer space
Photos released by NASA taken from International Space Station show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia, with billowing smoke engulfing the landscape.
Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.
Special rapporteur David Johnston’s office hired crisis communications firm Navigator
Special rapporteur David Johnston has hired crisis communications firm Navigator, his office confirmed on Friday.
Air Canada should face more consequences after two disruptions in a week, consumer advocate says
An airline consumer advocate says Air Canada should face tougher consequences for stranding passengers after two disruptions in a week.