2026 Pacific Award winners

Cultural innovator. Creative trailblazer. Dorothy Grant weaves heritage into a powerful legacy of pride, presence and purpose.

For nearly five decades, Dorothy has transformed fashion into an expression of living Haida culture. Among the first designers to fuse traditional Haida regalia with contemporary fashion, she created a distinctive body of work that carries ancestral stories, symbols and knowledge into modern spaces.

Her designs have reached international runways, museums and cultural institutions, elevating Indigenous voices and bringing Haida artistry to audiences around the world. Yet Dorothy’s impact extends far beyond global recognition. By asserting cultural sovereignty and creative ownership through her work, she has helped open pathways for future Indigenous designers and strengthened representation in an industry where Indigenous success has too often gone unseen.

A dedicated mentor, Dorothy shares traditional skills with youth and emerging entrepreneurs in Indigenous communities. Her guidance encourages the next generation to build confidence, pursue economic opportunity and carry cultural knowledge forward. She remains deeply connected to community, reinforcing the importance of identity, belonging and pride.

By transforming traditional knowledge through contemporary design, Dorothy is ensuring Haida culture remains living, visible and evolving. Her legacy is woven into more than clothing. It lives in the pride she inspires, the knowledge she shares and the pathways she continues to open for Indigenous creators.