Elevating our Sameness

Cultural Appreciation by way of Finawear...Wearable Indigenous Art. Proudly wear these Canadian made products made for you by Shar Wilson, Gitxsan Artist

Shar made it to the Dragon's Den this year!

You may have seen Shar on Dragon's Den this season. Check out the episode here. 

Photo Credit: Siobhan Rosilie (facebook).

  • the beginning....

  • Shar started by reselling products that bore 'native' designs. These products were mass produced and made in China. Some of the art was not even created by Indigenous people. So, she began designing clothing using a heat press in an effort to offer authentic Indigenous art.

  • the changing point...

  • Shar won a trip to a conference for entrepreneurs, who were lifegivers. She learned about pitches, heard a few, gained some tips and was 1 of 5 ladies to win the pitch contest. She went on to pitch for the Dragon's Den producers in March and then in front of the Dragon's in April. Her episode aired in November 2018 and she has been working hard ever since.

  • today...

  • Shar has a number of products and continues to work hard to raise awareness about authentic Indigenous art, her brand Finawear, and grow her business. She is learning as she goes and hopes her brand will be recognizable as the brand that carries authentic wearable Indigenous art.

  • I've come a long way!

  • From a small reserve called Gitsegukla, working hard all of my life (I was my husband's deckhand on this boat and I threw over 1000 sockeye in one opening), to teaching myself to draw, to being on national television, to today, I think I've come a long way. It's been a hard journey at times and I can't imagine an easier road that I could have taken. I had very little to start with. Sometimes, you just have to go with what you've got and run with it. Move forward always. Don't carry baggage from the past. Always be willing to learn, fail, and adjust.

the beginning....

Shar started by reselling products that bore 'native' designs. These products were mass produced and made in China. Some of the art was not even created by Indigenous people. So, she began designing clothing using a heat press in an effort to offer authentic Indigenous art.

the changing point...

Shar won a trip to a conference for entrepreneurs, who were lifegivers. She learned about pitches, heard a few, gained some tips and was 1 of 5 ladies to win the pitch contest. She went on to pitch for the Dragon's Den producers in March and then in front of the Dragon's in April. Her episode aired in November 2018 and she has been working hard ever since.

today...

Shar has a number of products and continues to work hard to raise awareness about authentic Indigenous art, her brand Finawear, and grow her business. She is learning as she goes and hopes her brand will be recognizable as the brand that carries authentic wearable Indigenous art.

I've come a long way!

From a small reserve called Gitsegukla, working hard all of my life (I was my husband's deckhand on this boat and I threw over 1000 sockeye in one opening), to teaching myself to draw, to being on national television, to today, I think I've come a long way. It's been a hard journey at times and I can't imagine an easier road that I could have taken. I had very little to start with. Sometimes, you just have to go with what you've got and run with it. Move forward always. Don't carry baggage from the past. Always be willing to learn, fail, and adjust.