Last month, the Soaring Circle team travelled to Toronto, Ontario, to participate in the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC), Canada’s largest skilled trades and technologies event. Bringing together thousands of students, educators, industry leaders, and competitors from every province and territory, the event celebrates excellence in skilled trades and technology while inspiring young people to explore future careers.
For the Soaring Circle team, the experience was about much more than attending a national event—it was an opportunity to connect with youth and showcase the many ways that sewing, fashion, and skilled trades can open doors to exciting careers.
Gathering Together in Person
As a national organization with team members working in different regions, opportunities to gather in person are rare and meaningful. This year’s event brought together Soaring Circle founder Josée Lusignan, Communications Coordinator Kuniss Drouin, and Sewcase Program Coordinator Jenny Ambrose, who represented the organization at the Indigenous Skills Showcase.
Throughout the competition, the team welcomed hundreds of visitors to the Soaring Circle booth, where students, educators, and industry professionals stopped to learn more about our programs and participate in a hands-on creative activity.
Creativity Through Upcycling
One of the highlights of our booth was an interactive patch-making activity, where students designed and hand-stitched custom patches using upcycled materials. Not only did the activity introduce basic sewing skills, but it also encouraged creativity and self-expression.
It was inspiring to see students of all ages pick up a needle and thread to create something uniquely their own. In fact, many were trying hand stitching for the first time, showing how a simple project can spark curiosity, build confidence, and ignite an interest in sewing.
Beyond the creative experience, the activity also introduced students to the many career paths connected to sewing, fashion, manufacturing, and textile arts.
In addition to hosting our booth, Soaring Circle facilitated a workshop as part of our Soaring Skills program for northern youth.
The workshop focused on planting seeds for future career exploration by introducing participants to the many pathways available within the world of sewing and fashion. Students learned that sewing skills can lead to careers far beyond garment construction, including fashion design, costume creation, tailoring, pattern making, entrepreneurship, textile innovation and more.
By showcasing real-world examples and sharing stories from industry professionals, the workshop encouraged youth to think about how their interests and creativity could translate into future opportunities.
Showcasing Indigenous Fashion and Creativity
One of the most exciting parts of the week was welcoming emerging fashion designer Keenan Tsannie to join the Soaring Circle team.
Travelling from Wollaston Lake, Northern Saskatchewan, Keenan shared his creative journey with students and visitors from across Canada. His stunning designs quickly drew attention and sparked conversations with students, educators, and industry professionals.
Perhaps the biggest crowd-pleaser was Keenan’s signature jacket. Students eagerly lined up to try it on, creating opportunities to talk about fashion, creativity, cultural expression, and pursuing artistic passions.
Throughout the week, Keenan generously shared his experiences as a young Indigenous designer, inspiring students to ask questions and learn more about his creative process.
To top it off, Keenan was featured on the Skills Canada YouTube Live series, where he discussed his journey, creative inspirations, and the importance of Indigenous representation in fashion. The interview gave him a national platform to share both his talent and his story.
Connecting with Industry Professionals
A special highlight of the trip was an opportunity for Keenan to connect with Toronto-based fashion designer and hat maker Tierre Taylor.
Jenny arranged a visit to Tierre’s studio, where Keenan received a behind-the-scenes tour and learned more about the world of professional millinery and fashion entrepreneurship. Tierre shared her passion for hat making, demonstrated unique materials and techniques used in her creations, and offered valuable insights into building a career in the fashion industry.
Experiences like these provide emerging artists with opportunities to learn directly from established professionals, expand their networks, and gain inspiration for their own creative journeys. Thank you Tierre!
Inspired by the Next Generation
One of the most powerful aspects of the Skills Canada National Competition is the opportunity to witness the incredible talent, determination, and innovation of young people from coast to coast.
From welding and carpentry to robotics, graphic design, culinary arts, fashion, and beyond, students demonstrated remarkable skill and dedication in their chosen fields. The energy throughout the venue was contagious, with competitors, educators, families, and supporters all coming together to celebrate achievement and possibility.
For the Soaring Circle team, the event reinforced the importance of creating accessible opportunities that empower youth to discover their strengths, develop new skills, and pursue their goals with confidence.
A Memorable Finish
To wrap up an unforgettable week, the team spent their final day together visiting the CN Tower. Between breathtaking views of the city and a few nervous laughs while standing on the famous glass floor, it was the perfect way to celebrate a successful event and enjoy some well-earned time together before heading home.
The trip concluded with a farewell supper, giving the team an opportunity to reflect on the connections made, lessons learned, and inspiration gained throughout the week.
Looking Ahead
While it is impossible to fully capture the scale and excitement of the Skills Canada National Competition through photos or words alone, we returned home energized by the experience and inspired by the talent and potential of youth from across Canada.
From hand-stitched patches and career exploration workshops to meaningful conversations with students and industry professionals, the week was filled with moments that reflected the heart of Soaring Circle’s mission: empowering youth through creativity, culture, skills development, and connection.
Thank you to everyone who visited our booth, participated in our activities, attended our workshop, and shared their stories with us. We are honoured to have been part of this incredible celebration of skills, creativity, and innovation.
We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to our partners and supporters whose generosity helps make opportunities like this possible. Your support allows us to continue creating meaningful experiences that inspire Indigenous youth to explore their potential and pursue their dreams.
Thank you to Janome Canada, PVH, Evolugen, and American Eagle Outfitters Better World Foundation for supporting our work and helping us empower the next generation of creators, makers, and changemakers.