Stoney language showcased in clothing company started by Morley students

Four students wearing grey sweatshirts and a red shirt stand against a wall at school. A female teacher wearing a green shirt stands beside them.
The five entrepreneurial academy students including Jace Young, Theodore Mark, Lacavaler Simeon and Danton Holloway and teacher Renette Kruz (far right). Missing from the photo is Alicia Hunter, another student who developed the clothing company. Photo submitted.
Daniel Barker-Tremblay - CFWE - EdmontonAL | 12-07-2022
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on pinterest
Share on email
Share on print

A group of five Morley Community School students from the entrepreneurial academy have created a clothing company, The Îyethka Trading Co.

English teacher Renette Kruz, who helped students with the entrepreneurial project, said the clothing company had humble beginnings and that it showcases both the Stoney language and culture.

One of the clothing lines is called “Mînî Thnî,” or “cold water” in the Stoney language. Kruz says that the clothing line was developed alongside the name change of the Morley townsite back to its traditional, Indigenous name.

The five students from the Morley Community School entrepreneurial academy include Jace Young, Theodore Mark, Lacavaler Simeon, Danton Holloway and Alicia Hunter. The students and Kruz started selling their t- shirts and sweaters from the school’s Mînî Thnî mini-mart. Eventually, they used the sales to make additional clothing items to sell.

Kruz said that the initial vision they had was good, and, as a result, demand for the clothes grew, with the Mînî Thnî name spreading across the community, even at hockey games.

All of the money the students made in this year’s sales were used towards grants for the graduating students.

Do you have a story idea? Email me at daniel@windspeakermedia.com

Listen to the audio below for the full story: