ST. PAUL — The fifth year of Native Nations Fashion Night featured designers from Leech Lake, New Mexico and Canada.
This year’s theme of “I Am Water” explored the ideas of strength, adaptability and responsibility of Native communities.
A model wears a piece by Delina White during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Hotel on April 25, 2025.
In a recent conversation on the KAXE Morning Show, founder Delina White from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe said, “Fashion is textiles and it’s about cultural materials and how we put those together to create a statement. Artists are what I call history keepers.”
Fashion, according to White, can document the climate of the times and create heirloom items to be passed on from generation to generation. For her, fashion is not just a luxury or a red carpet event.
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
White learned sewing and beadwork from her elders, and considers herself responsible for passing down the traditions. White’s collection this year, “The Flow,” was focused on sustainability and upcycling.
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and her daughter walk the runway in pieces by Delina White at Native Nations Fashion Night on April 25, 2025, at the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront Hotel.
Through bright designs and beadwork, vintage fabrics and thrifted materials, White honored the ingenuity of Native grandmothers, or mindimooyenh in Ojibwe, meaning “the ones who holds things together.”
Family and culture were strongly embedded throughout the evening and included were White’s daughters and designers Sage Davis and Lavender Doris. Granddaughter Snowy White once again was a model on the runway.
Along with a spotlight on makers, designers, food, musicians and fashion, Minnesota’s Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan read the state proclamation and graced the runway with her daughter.
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
At the heart of White’s work and Native Nations Fashion night is the idea of healing. Through the art and craft of fashion, she believes designers can work through emotions and process grief, hope and joy.
KAXE is a co-sponsor of Native Nations Fashions Night through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
Listen to our conversation above.
A model wears a piece by Shannon Gustafson during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
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A model wears a piece by Delina White during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
2 of 37 — 03 A model wears a piece by Delina White at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Delina White during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
3 of 37 — 05 A model wears a piece by Delina White at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Delina White during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
4 of 37 — 06 A model wears a piece by Delina White at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Delina White during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
5 of 37 — 01 A model wears a piece by Delina White at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Delina White during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
6 of 37 — 07 A model wears a piece by Delina White at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Delina White during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
7 of 37 — 01 A model wears a piece by Lavender Doris at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Lavender Doris during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
8 of 37 — 02 A model wears a piece by Lavender Doris at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Lavender Doris during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
9 of 37 — 03 A model wears a piece by Lavender Doris at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Lavender Doris during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
10 of 37 — 01 A model wears a piece by Shannon Gustafson at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Shannon Gustafson during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
11 of 37 — 02 A model wears a piece by Shannon Gustafson at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Shannon Gustafson during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
12 of 37 — 03 A model wears a piece by Shannon Gustafson at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Shannon Gustafson during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
13 of 37 — 04 A model wears a piece by Shannon Gustafson at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Shannon Gustafson during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
14 of 37 — 01 A model wears a piece by Sage Davis at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Sage Davis during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
15 of 37 — 02 A model wears a piece by Sage Davis at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Sage Davis during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
16 of 37 — 03 A model wears a piece by Sage Davis at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Sage Davis during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
17 of 37 — 04 A model wears a piece by Sage Davis at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Sage Davis during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
18 of 37 — 05 A model wears a piece by Sage Davis at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Sage Davis during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
19 of 37 — 06 A model wears a piece by Sage Davis at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Sage Davis during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
20 of 37 — 01 A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
21 of 37 — 02 A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
22 of 37 — 03 A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
23 of 37 — 04 A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
24 of 37 — 05 A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
25 of 37 — 06 A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Loren Aragon during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
26 of 37 — 01 Details of a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
27 of 37 — 02 A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
28 of 37 — 03 A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
29 of 37 — 04 A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
30 of 37 — 06 A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
31 of 37 — 07 A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
32 of 37 — 08 A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
33 of 37 — 09 A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
34 of 37 — 11 A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
35 of 37 — A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag at Native Nations Fashion night on April 25, 2025.jpg
A model wears a piece by Bineshi-ikwewag during Native Nations Fashion night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
36 of 37 — Delina White holds an official proclamation from Governor Tim Walz designating April 25 as Native Nations Fashion Day at Native Nations Fashion Night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025, at the InterContinental.jpg
Delina White holds an official proclamation from Governor Tim Walz designating the day as “Native Nations Fashion Day” during Native Nations Fashion Night at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel on April 25, 2025.jpg
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
37 of 37 — Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan presents Delina White with an official proclamation from Governor Tim Walz designating April 25 as Native Nations Fashion Day at Native Nations Fashion Night on April 25, 2025, at the InterContinental.jpg
