Systemic practices of consumer culture have put the environmental and social health of all living beings at risk. A shift in the Western mindset may be possible when there is collaboration with Indigenous peoples to understand a perspective of gratitude for the earth’s many gifts and to learn the wisdom of the generations before us. This collection was based on research with Indigenous apparel makers, by Bye and Davis, 2021, that identified six core values of gratitude and reciprocity in their sustainable apparel-making practices: Relationships, Community, Connection to the land, Spirituality, Sustainability, and Identity and Healing. Blending Indigenous practices and history and Western perspectives is about discovering balance in personal expectations and seeking a path to more restorative practices that can rebuild and support the environment. The collection was co-designed with two Native American designers to tell a visual story of gratitude, highlighting these core values. These are not intended to be ‘art’, but realistic examples of how a designer or customer might practice gratitude in how they make or purchase a garment.

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