Kamloops student Jada RaphaelB次元官网网址攚ho grew up in Spences Bridge and Ashcroft, and is a member of the CookB次元官网网址檚 Ferry BandB次元官网网址攚ill soon be flying to Melbourne, Australia to take part in the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival as an Indigenous model.
RaphaelB次元官网网址攚ho turns 17 just before the festival in early MarchB次元官网网址攈as been modelling since she was 14, mostly in small shows where she wore clothing designed by her aunt, Nadine Spence. In 2015 she had an opportunity to model clothes alongside Ashley Callingbull from AlbertaB次元官网网址檚 Enoch Cree Nation, who in August 2015 became the first Canadian woman, and first Indigenous woman, to be crowned Miss Universe.
The opportunity came about because RaphaelB次元官网网址檚 mother, Cheryl Billy, contacted Callingbull prior to her appearance at TRU in Kamloops in October 2015. B次元官网网址淚t was a big show,B次元官网网址� says Raphael. B次元官网网址淚 got to meet a lot of Indigenous people.B次元官网网址�
Raphael was tagged in a Facebook post about the Melbourne fashion festival, and she applied online and sent in an application. B次元官网网址淢ore than 1,000 people applied, and I was shocked and very emotional when I found out IB次元官网网址檇 been accepted.B次元官网网址� All the models are aged between 17 and 25, and the event is open for both beginners and professionals.
Raphael says there is a week of intensive training for all the models before the actual show. B次元官网网址淭he training is worth about $3,000, and will help me in the future. I donB次元官网网址檛 have stage fright, and IB次元官网网址檓 not scared walking down the runway, so I think IB次元官网网址檒l be fine. IB次元官网网址檓 just scared of tripping.B次元官网网址� During the training, models cannot wear make-up or use hair products, and cannot show any body piercings. B次元官网网址淭hey want to get to know us as natural people.B次元官网网址�
Billy says that the training is an elite program that will benefit her daughter and help in her runway future. Raphael confirms that modelling is a career she would like to pursue, but adds that the Melbourne festival will help her decide if thatB次元官网网址檚 what she wants to do.
She currently attends Valleyview High School in Kamloops, in order to take advantage of the varied sports opportunities available there.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really into sports, and am more of an athletic model,B次元官网网址� says Raphael, noting that she is involved in kickboxing, hockey, and rugby. B次元官网网址淚 wonB次元官网网址檛 stop doing these.B次元官网网址�
A request for sponsorships or donations to help defray the costs has already produced a sponsor for the flight to Melbourne and a donation to help with spending money, and Billy says they are still looking for sponsors.
B次元官网网址淢odelling agencies will be looking at her for their shows, and weB次元官网网址檙e looking for funding for these opportunities.B次元官网网址� She adds, however, that her daughter is remaining humble, and is willing to come back and speak to other youth about sports and how she got to where she is.
B次元官网网址淢y family has been very supportive,B次元官网网址� says Raphael. B次元官网网址淚 wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be here without my mom, who taught me to stay humble and stay classy. And my grandmother, Shirley Raphael [who passed in January 2017], taught me so much. I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be here without her, either. I got quite emotional when I heard about the festival, and wished Grandma was here.B次元官网网址�
RaphaelB次元官网网址攚ho will be representing the Nlakapamux and Secwepemc Nations, as well as the CookB次元官网网址檚 Ferry Band, at the Melbourne festivalB次元官网网址攊s keenly aware of her roots. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 proud of who I am.B次元官网网址� Billy notes that her daughter is a leader of her own already, something that is very empowering for the little ones.
B次元官网网址淪he was raised very intensely in regard to Nlakapamux rules and laws,B次元官网网址� says Billy. B次元官网网址淪he knows how to hunt and fish, and has done some drumming.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 tried for my first buck this year,B次元官网网址� says Raphael, adding that it was too far away for her to be assured of a clean shot that would kill and not wound it. B次元官网网址淚 was taught to only hunt for food, and to honour the land and be respectful. I leave tobacco and sage to thank the fish for sustenance.B次元官网网址�
Looking ahead to March, Raphael says B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very excited; and the closer I get to it the more excited I get. There will be Indigenous people there from all over the world, representing different countries. IB次元官网网址檓 really looking forward to it, and to building my portfolio.B次元官网网址�
Says Billy, B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 amazing how her life has turned from just being Jada to being a global Indigenous model.B次元官网网址�
Anyone who would like to sponsor Raphael, or make a donation, can contact Cheryl Billy at (250) 571-9314, or email her at cbjrjb@hotmail.com.
