Hi, my name is Charlene Lindsay, I’m a Metis PhD scholar, co-founder of SDNR Community Engagement, a director, a yoga enthusiast, a designer, a creator, a researcher, writer, advocate, and die hard fashionista. I grew up on a farm in rural Alberta and spent most of my summers engaging with my Cree relations. Suffice to say, I had a hybrid upbringing and learned at an early age to appreciate both my European and Aboriginal roots.

Staying true to my rural upbringing, I have devoted a significant amount of my academic career advocating for change in rural regions. Whether it be through environmental, socio-economic, legal, political, health care changes, or the lacking of necessary resources in rural regions; I have either read about it, researched it in some way, shape or form, or I have written about it. This obviously includes remote and isolated First Nation reserves/communities as well.

For these reasons and so many others, my colleagues and I co-founded "THE REAL" Toronto Indigenous Fashion Week in 2017 because I/we wanted to create opportunities for entrepreneurs, artists and small business owners living in rural regions. The success of the event led to the creation of the "FIRST EVER" Ottawa, Montreal and Thunder Bay Indigenous Fashion Weeks in 2019.

When I’m not directing, planning or engaging in the dissemination of the fashion weeks, I'm researching, writing, reading and carrying out my duties and responsibilities at the university where I am currently completing a PhD.

My motto in life is "Mental health begins with Physical Health." With that said, I cycle, practice yoga, run and meditate often. Basically anything that keeps me away from internet addiction.

You will never find me trolling through instagram, Facebook, twitter or any other social media platform. Nor will you ever find a meriad of fake and delusion stories/photos of me on the internet - why? because I have more important things to do with my time. And I don't suffer from Delusions of Grandeur. I live out here in the real world.

As my colleagues and I continue to work to advance the revitalization of Indigenous languages, fashion and intercultural understanding; we invite you to join us at one of our events!

Yours in good health,

Charlene Lindsay B.A(Hons),MES.,Ph.D(c)