Saulteau First Nations’ teen starts apparel company

Saulteau First Nation’s teen Miles Parenteau has started a clothing company called Mistik ᒥᐢᑎᐠ Apparel.

Parenteau wanted to put his art out into the world, so he started talking about a business idea with his mom and started selling to close friends and family.

He is currently located in Salmon Arm, B.C. and part of Treaty Eight.

Now, the apparel is in shops in Salmon Arm.

Recently, Parenteau has announced on his Facebook page that he will be releasing shirts in orange and donating a portion of the proceeds to the Indian Residential School Survival Society (IRSSS).

His first design, ‘Windago,’ came from doodling in class.

The design comes from the Wendigo, a starving creature rooted in Indigenous culture, from which Parenteau says he gets inspiration.

“It’s just something that’s just really hungry all the time, and it’s kind of human-like,” he explains.

“I just liked the idea of moose and elk because my family has been hunting and fishing and stuff like that for years now.”

Parenteau says he has crew necks and hoodies and is thinking about expanding beyond that.

“For winter, I’m going to release some tuques and hoodies, and I have Halloween designs too.”

Parenteau said his great-grandma was affected by the residential schools.

“What’s been happening down here, the residential schools and all the bodies found and all the atrocities that happened in residential schools. I just wanted to spread awareness and give back to the community.”

For more information and availability, visit Mistik ᒥᐢᑎᐠ Apparel’s Facebook page.