Shane Kejick, an Indigenous fashion designer, faced significant setbacks when his plans to showcase his clothing brand, Neechie by Nature, at Christmas markets in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were disrupted by a robbery. His Toyota SUV was stolen late on November 25 while parked on his mother’s street in suburban Montreal. Along with the vehicle, he lost a substantial amount of merchandise prepared for sale and essential production equipment related to his clothing line.
Upon discovering that his vehicle was missing, Kejick recalls the anxiety of the situation. Initially thinking it may have been towed, he contacted the authorities, as he was certain his parking spot was secure, having never experienced towing issues there before. The theft resulted in the loss of crucial design tools, including his sewing machine, 3D printer, media equipment, and inventory that he had worked hard to build up over nine years. The timing of the incident could not have been worse, as it coincided with key sales opportunities during the peak Christmas shopping season in Toronto.
Due to these unfortunate circumstances, Kejick was unable to return to Montreal and was thus absent from several planned Christmas markets. Partnering with Kejick, Jared Bigcanoe had collaborated with Neechie by Nature to introduce these items to shoppers. However, the absence of both Kejick and his merchandise left customers at the Big Canoe Indigenous Market pop-up in Erin Mills Town Centre, Mississauga, searching for gifts that were no longer available. Bigcanoe expressed the implications of these losses on supply chain management, noting the difficulty in meeting customer demands when certain sizes and inventory are lacking.
The Christmas season is critical for any small business, and the theft has placed additional stress on Kejick's operations. Bigcanoe highlighted the extreme ramifications such losses can have, emphasizing that for a growing business like Neechie by Nature, this incident could be detrimental and possibly existential. The community's support is essential to help navigate these challenging circumstances collectively.
In response to this incident, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist Kejick in replacing the stolen goods. The campaign aims to gather financial support from the community to help him recover from the losses suffered and continue his journey as an Indigenous entrepreneur.
