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Help Aunalee & Sophia After Fire Destroyed Years of Hardwork
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$7,230 raised
38% of $19k goal
63 contributors
74 Weeks running
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By Vanessa Lesperance
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Personal campaign Keep it all Nanaimo, BC, CA
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We're LOVING and LIFTING Aunalee and Sophia after warehouse fire destroys most of their Ay Lelum inventory

On August 27th a fire destroyed most of Aunalee's and Sophia's inventory which has been years in the making. Thankfully, no one was hurt - but this is a huge setback for their family business and ability to generate income. Not only did the fire destroy most of their beautifully designed merchandise, but damaged important family and business keepsakes. This has all happened right before they're meant to go to New York City to showcase their Indigenous clothing line on the runway in September. 

Insurance will cover cost of goods (which takes time), but not any business losses - they need our help to help sustain them and get back on their feet so they can continue to thrive! 

Fundraising goal:

 

$19K - Our goal will go towards wellness and well-being for members of the Good family - including day to day expenses and general carry over costs to help sustain all the members of this family run business.

 

$29K - The stretch goal is to make sure the amazing NY Fashion show event will be as incredible as they hoped, but it needs extra support during this time after the fire. These extra funds are to hire additional staff members to replenish merchandise, prepare for New York City fashion show; plus other additional help for the business.

 

$35K - The second stretch goal - allowing to do even more and these funds will go towards wellness and well-being for the family, plus hire additional staff members; plus the repair and restoral of items not covered by insurance; and also pay to redevelop the marketing campaign, and create awareness for pre-sales to help Sophia and Aunalee get Ay Lelum back on track and servicing customers. 

 

We're so grateful for the Indigenous business community for donating these amazing perks...

Brenda MacIntyre Medicine Song Woman | Medicine Song Healing and Reading Session (60mins) (x2)| $497 value 

 

 

Gwin Communications | Professional PR, Media, Social Media, Cultural Awareness training (x1) | $500 value



Iskwew Air | One ticket roundtrip airfare between Qualicum Beach and YVR (x2) and swag bags | $300 value 



Indigimall | Indigenous Gift Box (x1) | $250 value


Newly added! Raven Rising Chocolate| Chocolate subscription (Naabe Mooz) (x1) | $240 value

Newly added!  Lodge Soy Candles| Gift Set (x1)| $137 value


Newly added!  Totem Design House| Gift Card | $100 value



Salmon n' Bannock Bistro | Gift Card (x2) | $100 value



Sisters Sage | Gift Card (x2) | $100 value


Newly added!  Aurora Heat| Beaver fur hand warmers (x1) | $85 value



the yukon soaps company | Essential Oils Gift Set (x1)| $80 value



Creative Resination | Gift Card (x1) | $50 value



Xálish Medicines |  Adaptogenic Elixir & Tea Blend (x1) | $55 value



The Johnnys | Music CD and art (x4) | >$50 value 


Newly added!  Bunny's Makery| Artisan chocolate bars (x1) | $40 value



Mystical Metis | T-Shirt  (x1) | $40 value



The Mindful Managers | 20min Oracle Card Reading (x4) | $35 value

 

Ariana Fotinakis Coaching, Breathwork and Earth Medicine | Copal incense sticks (x1) | $15 value

 

Aunalee & Sophia's Story

 

Image of Aunalee, Sophia and their parents


In the 1990s two Coast Salish sisters – Aunalee and Sophia – watched as their parents launched a successful clothing business in the 90’s called Ay Ay Mut (which means “beautiful” in Hul'q'umi'num). This was all the inspiration they needed.  They decided to create a second generation clothing line…and Ay Lelum was born. Ay Lelum (which means “good house”) is an on-reserve Indigenous fashion house that incorporates traditional Coast Salish family designs that are created by their brother Joel Good and their father William Good who is a Master Coast Salish artist and a Cultural Historian.

 

Aunalee and Sophia work tirelessly to do business in a good way that uplifts their community, their culture, the planet, their families and other Indigenous women. You might have even seen them around Nanaimo with their drums singing welcome songs or taking part in other cultural events.

 

With their commitment to themselves, each other, their family and their business, they have overcome numerous personal, systemic and societal setbacks. Thanks to their resiliency and tenacity, part of their success story includes recently having their clothes sold in a retail location in New York City; and being invited to take part of a fashion show in New York City in September 2021.

 

However, they have recently encountered a huge setback. Aunalee and Sophia were distraught when their warehouse caught on fire on August 27th – destroying most of their inventory. Years of hard work, preparation, sweat and labour went up in flames. Not to mention some priceless family regalia that were dear to their hearts.  

 

Because all their merchandise was destroyed they currently have nothing to fall back on to help them recover. Insurance money will take time and not cover all their loses. Because of COVID, fabric is difficult to source; and shipping takes a long time. Please help us get Aunalee and Sophia back on their feet with a little boost of LOVE and LIFT so they can get ready for New York; and give them a bit of reprieve as they replenish their inventory. These women have offered so much to others. This is a chance to be in reciprocity and offer a little something in return.  

 

 

We are BEYOND grateful for your

contributions! 

 

Hay ch q̓a| Thank-you

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