About Us

 
J. Nathan Rainy Chief is a member of Kainai First Nation in Southern Alberta. As a descendant of Rainy Chief (and Chief Red Crow), the senior-most Chief Signatory of Treaty 7, he is connected uniquely to one of the most important events in Blackfoot history. When he was born, he was held by his Great-Great Grandmother, Rosie Davis, who was born in 1877 in Montana. She was the longest living member of the tribe. She was a world-renowned beadwork artist and traditionalist, who still has pieces in museums across the US and Canada. He is also a descendant of Chief Charlie Davis, and several other chiefs. 

Nathan comes from a long family history of Trading Post owners and influential Albertans. Since his taking ownership of 49 Design, he has facilitated growth into an international market, and has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal. Nathan was a residential day school attendee. 

 

Victoria-Lynn Scattergood, Designer

Victoria-Lynn is Metis from Metis Region 3.
She’s lived her whole life in southern Alberta small towns. Her ancestors are from the Red River Settlement and Great Lakes region.

Victoria graduated from the Alberta College of Art + Design (AUArts) with a Bachelor of Design with  her concentration in graphic design. Victoria is  an avid animal lover as well as an illustrator and crafter, often bringing together her passions to influence her work.

As the Design Team Lead at 49 Design,
Victoria brings her Metis beadwork, quillwork and embroidery inspired designs with a modern flair to 49 Design products and designs.

 

Lori Jeanette Phelps, Senior Store Manager

Lori was born and grew up in the small northern Alberta town of Peace River.  Lori’s Metis heritage comes from Pouce Coupe, BC and High Prairie, AB.  Growing up in Peace River, Lori was surrounded by a wide variety of Indigenous Culture. She has always had a passion for Indigenous art, this is shown in her support of local Artisans. Lori always welcomes local Artists to show off their work in our store. She has made traditional moccasins, does beadwork and currently works with leather to create some of the beautiful pieces on display in our stores. Lori brings a strong retail background to the team. She strives to provide our customers with a great shopping experience, and ensures they will want to come back. She is very committed to the success of our Edmonton location and strives to build a strong community through relationships born in the store.

 

Melanie Nanooch, Sewing and Production Team Member

Melanie Nanooch is from Little Red River Cree Nation in Treaty 8 Territory. She is Woodlands Cree and grew up on the Garden River Reserve. Melanie understands and speaks fluent Woodlands/plains Cree. Growing up on reserve Melanie was taught how to make moose hides, hunting and harvesting with her parents. She was also very interested in her Cree classes taught by her Aunty, she learned how to bead earrings, barrettes, make dream catchers, mini tipis and write syllabics. Her creative energy was very influenced by her community, family, and language.

Melanie attended the 2016/17 Fashion Design and Apparel diploma Program at MC College in Edmonton, Ab and graduated as The Valedictorian of her Class. She had her first Fashion Show with her classmates in Sept 2017.
She gained alot of new sewing techniques that she uses for garment construction. Melanie was selected as one of the top 20 recipients for the 2020 Ribbonskirt Competition hosted by Native Womans Association of Canada.

Melanie is very excited to join the Design and Production team with 49 Dzine. She will be creating beautiful garments for the company and is very inspired to work with new materials and learn new skills within the company.

 

Katelyne Bonin, Keyholder

Kat was born and raised in Northern B.C. and spent most of her life living in various regions of British Columbia. She loves the beauty of mother nature, reading, creating, and spending time with family and friends. Recently, she and her fiancé, along with their daughter, moved to Edmonton to be closer with her fiancés side of the family and further immerse their daughter in her Indigenous (Cree) heritage.

Kat's ancestry goes back to the original peoples of the Head of the Lake region in British Columbia (Sylix Okanagan). Her great, great, great grandmother Lucy Sʔimlaʔxw (Simla) eventually settled in the Keremeos area with her husband (of the land) Frank Richter. They, along with their 5 sons, ran "Richter Ranch," establishing the very first orchard in the Similkammen Valley. 25 years into the marriage, Frank chose to take another wife of European descent, sending Lucy to live out her days in a cabin alone on the property. Some of her woven baskets, along with a handmade calender and other artifacts, can still be found at the Penticton museum to this day.

Finding a home here at 49 Design was a perfect fit for Kat. It's given her the unique opportunity to not only use her creative spirit but also learn more about her culture from various perspectives while being surrounded by a supportive community.

 

Laredo Strawberry-Nault, Keyholder

I’m Laredo Strawberry-Nault from O’Cheise Reservation No. Treaty 6, I grew up off the reserve in a small town called Legal, AB. I was adopted when I was 3 days old and my dad taught me how to fish and hunt. I love attending Powwows and cultural nights throughout the year. I started at 49 Design because I want to grow closer to my culture, heritage, and I love meeting all the cool customers from across Canada that supports the store.