Destiny Seymour is an Anishinaabe interior designer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For over 10 years, she worked at an architecture firm in Winnipeg before leaving to start her own business in 2016. While she loved her job, she often struggled to find finishes and products that respectfully reflected Indigenous peoples in Manitoba that she would be able to incorporate into her projects. To fill this void, she decided to create a textile design company specializing in Indigenous fabrics and products for architecture projects and homes.
Her company, Indigo Arrows, now offers a range of table linens, pillows, and blankets that showcase patterns from local Indigenous pottery and bone tools that date from 400 to over 3000 years old.
Motherhood was also a driving factor in creating Anishinaabe textiles that she would be able to bring into her own home. “We have a beautiful history and culture that I want my children to be proud of,” Seymour says.
When asked about a quote that inspires her, she takes wisdom from her father’s powerful words to her when she wanted to quit half-way through her Master of Interior Design degree:
“I’m proud of how far you have come. Don’t forget that your kookum (grandma) grew up in a wigwam.”
Working with Mineola Knitting Company, Seymour was able to bring her design, Ishkoday, to life in blanket-form.
“This blanket is called Ishkoday. It means ‘fire’ in Anishinaabemowin. It references the triangular shape of flint rocks that we used to make fire. My father is fluent in our language and I love working with him when I’m designing new patterns.”
Through its earthy colors and minimal designs, she hopes to bring a calm coziness into your home with this blanket.
Destiny’s mission and story inspires us every day here at Mineola Knitting Company through her powerful work and designs. Working with her has been an amazing experience throughout. She reflects, “From the very beginning, the customer service has been so welcoming. No stress. I appreciate how helpful Diana has been for each order. I would recommend Mineola Knitting Company to all my design colleagues.”
At Mineola Knitting Company, we’re excited and proud to be a part of Destiny’s creative journey. If you are an independent artist/designer like Destiny and are interested in having your creations come to life, please reach out to us via info@mineolaknit.com.