Indigenous model showcases traditional hides in photoshoot to showcase her cultural pride

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A northeast First Nations woman is encouraging her community to celebrate Indigenous heritage with a winter photoshoot.

Leanna Cardinal, a the 28-year-old a member of Fort Nelson First Nation, said it was only her second photo shoot. 

Still relatively new in the world of modelling, Cardinal said she just “wanted to give it a shot” and was heavily influenced by her upbringing to put together the photo collection.

“My aunties, and of course my grandma,” said Cardinal.  “They spoke to me of elders’ stories.  This is what I came up with.”

 With help from her mother-in-law, Cardinal was able to put together traditional moose hide and wolf fur for the photos.  Preparing for the shoot took about a week, says Cardinal.

The photos were captured by Fort Nelson-based photographer Tracy Rondeau. 

The photos, released on January 25th, have seen almost 400 reactions on Rondeau’s Artography by Tracy Facebook page.

“I got people kind of giggling at me,” said Cardinal. “But for how much it [has] blown up all over social media and up here they are very taken back by my ideas. [People] thought it was unbelievable.”

Cardinal says she is “very proud” of her Slavey (Dene) roots and wants to “learn as much as she can so she can pass on” the traditional knowledge she carries.

Although she currently works with elders, Cardinal would like to further her modelling career – even hinting at heading to Vancouver.

She adds she desires to incorporate other Indigenous traditions in future shoots. 
Cardinal’s photoshoot is available to view on the Artography by Tracy Facebook page.