STYLE
BEAUTIFUL SELF-CONFIDENCE
LISA
MUSWAGON
“
LISA’S ADVICE FOR
SELF CONFIDENCE?
“Whenever I have the opportunity to speak in
front of young people, I tell them they got to
have G.U.T.S. –Get Uncomfortable to Succeed.
The first thing I tell them is you will get nervous, your hands will get sweaty, your legs will
tremble and your mouth will twitch, [Laughs],
but if you can get through that first time, the
next will be easier and with more practice the
easier it gets.”
Growing up I was a tall, lanky girl with no curves.
I was made fun of and even called a giraffe in
high school because I was the tallest girl in every
class I was put in.” Lisa Muswagon, Nakoda Cree
of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation, knows what it’s
like to stand out of the crowd, literally. Despite
hearing hurtful comments regarding her body,
Muswagon discovered modeling as a way of expressing
herself. With the love and support from her grandmother,
Muswagon modeled in various fashion shows throughout
Winnipeg. Muswagon learned through each fashion show,
with each one as a learning experience for her.
Now, the mother of three manages her soon-tobe husband’s entertainment company and hip hop career
and handles finance at the Child and Family Services Metis
Authority. She’s also a hand drum singer and is very active
in the Aboriginal communities surrounding Winnipeg, her
home. What Muswagon is notable for is co-founding Native Model Studio, a collective of photographers, models,
artists and designers who provide fashion show coordination, event planning, model training services and facilitate
workshops on confidence, self-esteem and support issues.
With co-founder Larry Price, Muswagon collaborates and
hosts fashion events that help aspiring models gain experience throughout the United States and Canada. Muswagon
shares her history of being in the fashion industry and how
she took back her self-confidence.
Muswagon helps alleviate the lack of self-confidence with her work with Native Model Studio. “We host
model workshops to talk about fashion, modeling, and professional development along with training which include
components of discussing self-esteem and confidence.” The
Native Model Studio team also touches on issues that face
our communities, and as a group, discuss becoming role
models to help.
Despite a hectic schedule and thriving career,
Muswagon always maintains her confidence every day.
“We’re all human and sometimes we can be a little hard on
ourselves. I remind myself that I have a new healthy baby
and my body has been through extremes,” she admits. “So
I take pride in going for a run. Plus I have a real awesome
partner who tells me I’m beautiful every day.”
MAY/JUNE 2015 NATIVEMAX.COM
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