Meet the artists behind your favourite Native Northwest Products

Sasquatch Lawsuit Proceeds Donated to Indigenous Students

Our goal with the Sasquatch lawsuit was to take a meaningful step forward in stopping Indigenous art theft and to stand up for Indigenous artists.

We have partnered with the artist Dr. Francis Horne Sr., Coast Salish every step of the way. Following the historic victory, Native Northwest met Francis and his wife Brenda to discuss how the lawsuit proceeds should be used.

In those conversations and true to their character, Francis and Brenda declined to receive any funds personally. Together, we worked behind the scenes to build meaningful partnerships that will create a positive impact out of the unfortunate theft of Francis's Sasquatch design.

We are excited to announce partnerships with the University of Victoria Faculty of Law and the University of the Fraser Valley that will create Indigenous student scholarships and artist mentorship programs.

We extend our gratitude to Francis and Brenda for their courage, humility and generosity. We thank them for their partnership and leadership.

“Because of my Indigenous background and teachings, I felt it would be inappropriate to benefit monetarily from these unfortunate circumstances. Therefore, it makes more sense to direct the lawsuit proceeds toward Indigenous law and Indigenous students.”

- Khut Whee Mul Uhk
Dr. Francis Horne Sr., Coast Salish

In 2022, Coast Salish artist Dr. Francis Horne and his wife Brenda discovered a fraudulent copy of his Sasquatch design being sold in a BC gift shop. Despite repeated attempts from Native Northwest to stop the copyright infringement, the infringers evaded taking action. They thought they could get away with it.

With Francis and Brenda’s support, Native Northwest filed a lawsuit at the Federal Court of Canada asserting the store had stolen Dr. Horne’s design without permission. The Federal Court ruled in Native Northwest’s favour, recognizing the seriousness of Indigenous art infringement. The store's owners appealed the decision which Native Northwest won again.

This first-of-its-kind judgment marks a milestone for protecting Indigenous art and Indigenous artists. A second lawsuit targeting the shirt's manufacturer, Lago Apparel, remains ongoing.

For more than 40 years, authenticity of Indigenous art has been the foundation to our mission of building everyday connections to Indigenous cultures. These are our guiding principles for our collaborations with every artist and on every design.

1. Artists Are Paid Royalties
Artists are paid up-front for their art and then paid royalties on every sale twice a year.

2. Consent and Collaboration
All artists provide contractual permission for their art to be licensed and featured on Native Northwest products. We collaborate with each artist to ensure their design on Native Northwest products represents the artist's vision and maintains its cultural integrity.

3. 100% Authentic
100% of the art featured on Native Northwest products is designed by Indigenous artists. Artist names and cultural affiliations are on all product packaging to give artists the recognition they deserve, to acknowledge the cultural traditions being honoured, and to mark the art's authenticity.

The values behind our brand originate with the founding reason for the company: Indigenous arts and cultures, designed by Indigenous artists, built on a foundation of respect and authenticity. We tie authentic designs to bold, new concepts where artists can tell the stories of their communities and cultures through their distinct designs.

We act as partners to the artists we collaborate with and stewards of the artwork featured on Native Northwest products. While our founder is non-Indigenous, each of our exchanges, from the sourcing and compensation of Indigenous artists, to our staff and merchants, are part of a 40 year relationship between Indigenous cultures and the communities we pledge to honour and respect.