W Store launches new Indigenous collection

Two years after the successful launch of the first Indigenous collection at the W Store, in collaboration with local artist Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa (Morningstar) Jewell, the Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR) and Print and Retail Solutions have partnered again to feature an exciting new line with Anishinaabe Onyota’a:ka artist, Tehatsistahawi (Tsista) Kennedy. 

Kennedy is from Beausoleil First Nation and Oneida Nation of the Thames. A self-taught artist, Kennedy often creates his art digitally and works with various mediums like etching on birch bark and ink on paper. His passion for art started during his childhood, and at 14 years old, he created his first woodland-style piece. Since then, he has developed a unique variation of woodland style art, characterized by semi-bold black lines, intricate patterns and vibrant colours that make his artwork flow elegantly across the canvas.  

Tehatsistahawi (Tsista) Kennedy, Anishinaabe Onyota’a:ka artist, who designed the new Indigenous collection at the W Store.

“I grew up in Kitchener-Waterloo for the first 14 years of my life before moving off elsewhere, so when I was approached by the University of Waterloo for this project, I was very excited to put together some artwork for them,” Kennedy says. 

“In my initial meetings with the client, they mentioned how the Canada goose was the unofficial mascot of the university, for how many that hang around the campus. This sparked a lot of fond memories for me as a kid growing up in this city; getting chased by them unprovoked, feeding them bread in the park with my family, and from a distance, enjoying the sight of the fluffy little goslings come springtime.” 

The collection, which prominently features Canada geese, will include a variety of unique items such as apparel, drinkware and gift items.  The entire collection will be available to shop at the W Store located in South Campus Hall (SCH) and the online store at wstore.ca on September 5, following the official launch ceremony at the W Store. 

“It has been an enormous privilege working with the team in the OIR to launch two collections of exclusive products designed by talented local Indigenous artists,” says Ryan Jacobs, director of Print and Retail Solutions. “The campus community made it clear how much they value having access to Indigenous items when we launched the first partnership in 2022, and we are pleased that Tsista was willing to share his talents with the University and provide us with a beautiful new design.” 

The initial collection designed by Jewell has generated more than $40,000 for the Indigenous Student Development Fund, formerly the Indigenous Student Success Fund. The W Store will again be transferring a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this new collection to support the fund, which was established to provide financial assistance to those  Indigenous  students who are most at risk of abandoning their education due to financial hardship.  

“We are thrilled to see that the Indigenous collection featuring Alanah Jewell was so well received and are excited to see another collaboration happening, featuring another talented and local artist,” says Jean Becker, associate vice-president for the OIR.

Join us for the official launch ceremony: 

This collection officially launches the first week of September and all are welcome to attend the launch ceremony on Thursday, September 5, at 8:45 a.m. at the W Store located in SCH. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Items are available for purchase in-store or online at  wstore.ca. For more information about this collection, please contact the W Store via email at  wstore@uwaterloo.ca. For more information about decolonization, reconciliation and indigenization on campus please visit the Office of Indigenous Relations website.