Rocky Boy fashionista wins best new exhibitor in Made in Montana Trade Show

Staff and wire report

A businesswoman from Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation earned some top honors at the Made in Montana Tradeshow last week.

Rebekah “Carries Sweet Grass Woman” Jarvey earned the Best in Show New Exhibitor Award at the tradeshow, held Friday and Saturday in Helena with the exhibits open to the public Saturday.

The awards were presented to the winners Friday, with Montana Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras, Department of Agriculture Director Christy Clark and Commerce Director Scott Osterman presenting the awards.

Jarvey describes herself on her business’ website at https://rebekahjarvey.com as a “Chippewa Cree and Blackfeet self-proclaimed Indigenous fashionista from Rocky Boy.”

She is a fourth-generation beader and sewer with a foundation of her traditional tribal heritage and today’s fashion, the website says. She combines Indigenous style with a modern urban touch to authentic handmade masks and ribbon skirts.

“She believes it’s her responsibility to make sure the collector is looking stylish with culture,” the site says.

Her website includes #nativewoke merchanside, to inspire Native Americans to wear masks, social distance and keep people safe.

“Native Woke is a movement on raising awareness to our newest enemy, the COVID-19 virus,“ the site says. “It’s crucial we act now and fight together.”

The sale portion of the website says proceeds from the Native Woke merchandise will go to families of respected tribal elders who died in 2020.

Her other merchandise includes the Being Indigenous is so Beautiful Collection, Designer Face Mask Collection, Indgenous Maks Cellection, Kokumystic Collection, Rebekah Jarvey Gift Cards, Ribbon Drib, Ribbon Masks and RJ Beadwork.

Polson business handMADE Montana and owner Carol Lynn Lapotka was awarded the 2021 Retailer of the Year.

Each year, Montana retailers are nominated by their communities and across the state to receive the prestigious award. This year, there was overwhelming support for handMADE Montana.

“It’s small business owners like Carol at handMADE Montana who highlight the very best of Montana-made handcrafted goods while providing a supportive platform for local artisans,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman.

Located on Main Street in Polson, the handMADE Montana store sells more than 80 local and regional modern handcrafted goods, includes 65 artists and has a fully visible and functioning production studio in the back for REcreate Designs. In addition, handMADE is an event and community resource organization for artisans, provides selling opportunities for artists and offers workshops in small business development.

Lapotka is also known for organizing the award-winning MADE fairs, Montana’s largest art and handcrafted markets.

Other award winners included:

Best in Show Overall — Farver Farms, a Scobey-area business that sells products made from produce raised on the Farver family farm.

Best in Show Honorable Mention — Martikarli.com, the children’s willdlife picture books shop of Montana wildlife artist Karla Martinson.