The Wolastoqiyik artisans from Welamukotuk (Oromocto)  are the co-founders and chief seamstresses of Sew Deadly by the Wabanaki Sisters. Their not-for-profit business interweaves the siblings’ creative talents with their desire to give back to their community and is rooted in the Indigenous way of coming together to create change.

The sisters harness their impressive sewing skills to create an array of Sew Deadly accessories and apparel items including custom ribbon skirts, doll regalia, headbands, and white ash hairclips. One of the duo’s most popular items is their Good Medicine Scrunchies, which contain cedar sage and sweetgrass, so the wearer can enjoy good medicine wherever they go. 

Adding sacred medicines to their accessories was a deeply intentional decision by the artisans, who are committed to Indigenizing spaces. They want people to engage with their products, ask questions and learn about Indigenous culture. The sisters also smudge all of their final creations so their good energy will carry on with their customers. 

Ellie and Sophia are proud of their non-profit business model, which sees all of the proceeds from Sew Deadly’s sales go to worthy Indigenous causes. They source repurposed fabric and scraps from fabric stores to reduce material costs. What they can’t get for free, the sisters pay for out of their own pockets to maximize the funds going back to their community.

Their biggest business challenge is sustaining their raw materials stock, so they can continue to donate all proceeds from Sew Deadly by the Wabanaki Sisters directly to Indigenous causes. As awareness of the business has grown, fabric stores and avid sewers have come forward to donate materials.

The Bourque sisters sold a thousand dollars of product during their first time vending and donated every penny to the Kehkimin Wolastoqey Language School. They continue to sell throughout the year at markets, community events, and through the Indigenous PEI store. They also provide their products to fundraising auctions for families in the community and donate ribbon skirts to those who may not be able to purchase one themselves. 

Sew Deadly’s accessories and apparel items are available for purchase through the Indigenous PEI store and at select markets, pop-ups, and other events. Follow Sew Deadly by the Wabanaki Sisters on Facebook and @sewdeadlycreations on Instagram for up-to-date information.