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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
Out of tragedy, a fundraising initiative has formed in Fort Providence.

A group of students from Deh Gah School who are learning to play the guitar provided a musical interlude during the fashion show. The guitarists include, back row from left, Timmara Auger, Rochella Sanderson, Liza Clillie and Chantelle Anderson; front row from left, Raynna Bonnetrouge, Amber L. Gargan, Shanita Landry and Amber Gargan. - photo courtesy of Cathie Clark

On Dec. 26, 2008, 11-year-old Shayna Clarke died unexpectedly in her family's home in the hamlet. Tests later showed the Clarke died as a result of an undiagnosed heart condition.

Since her daughter's death, Shauna Clarke Canadien has taken it upon herself to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

"It's my little way of remembering her," Clarke Canadien said.

In 2010, Clarke Canadien held a variety night concert in the hamlet that raised close to $3,000. Last year, an online fundraiser brought in approximately $600.

This year, Clarke Canadien tried something a little different. On Feb. 25, a Red Dress Fashion Show was held in the Fort Providence community hall.

Silent auction

Called Shayna's Song, the event featured 26 models from the community who walked a red carpet runway wearing red outfits. The female models, ranging in age from young children to adults, wore red dresses or red shirts while the male models sported red hoodies.

Most of the dresses and other outfits came from donations from various stores or were purchased by Clarke Canadien. Some of the models bought or wore their own dresses.

After the fashion show, some of the dresses were sold as part of a silent auction along with other donated items.

"It went really well," Clarke Canadien said.

Approximately 120 people came to event, including people from Fort Simpson and Hay River who knew Shayna. Around 10 of the models were also Shayna's friends. Clarke Canadien said she thinks the fundraising events help Shayna's friends create something positive out of something horrible.

The idea for the fashion show came from the Heart and Stroke Foundation's The Heart Truth Campaign. A red dress is the symbol of the campaign that seeks to raise awareness about the fact that heart disease and strokes are the number one killer of women in Canada. As part of the campaign, red dresses have been featured in special fashion shows.

The event in Fort Providence also included a performance by a group of students who are learning to play the guitar, an opening prayer by elder Margaret Vandell, door prizes, a 50/50 draw and a canteen that sold heart-healthy snacks including fresh fruit, yogurt and juice boxes. The evening closed with a performance by Johnny Landry who sang Hinana Hoho Hine, the same song he performed at Shayna's memorial service.

"I thought it went very well," said Lydia Newman, who helped Clarke Canadien organize the event.

"It was really nice to see the community come out and donate."

Newman, one of the models, also helped organize the other models and coax them out onto the runway when it was there turn.

"The girls were really, really good," she said.

Newman said she was amazed by the amount that was raised. There were bidding wars on some of the silent auction items, she said.

"Shauna did any amazing job bringing it all together," said Newman.

As of March 1, Shayna's Song – including the fashion show, online donations and a pancake breakfast – had raised $5,687. Clarke Canadien was aiming to raise $3,000 this year, meaning she's almost doubled her goal.

Clarke Canadien said she plans to continue doing an annual fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation although the format she uses may vary from year to year.

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