Livia Manywounds (Blackfoot Woman) hails from the Tsuut’ina (Dene) and Siksika (Blackfoot) Nations in Treaty 7 territory, located in Southern Alberta, Canada. She is an Indigenous designer, rodeo competitor, and former CBC News reporter. 

Livia operated a first-of-its-kind pop-up bureau, reporting stories from Southern Alberta First Nations. The pop-up bureau was nominated for an RTDNA Adrienne Clarkson Award for Diversity in 2019 and was featured in a Reuters Institute and University of Oxford article for its success. 

Moving forward, Livia has shared her journalism journey in numerous settings, such as post-secondary institutions, virtual and in-house training with CBC/Radio-Canada, and through the European Centre for Journalism. Now, she continues to share her experience while incorporating her Indigenous roots through cultural awareness and journalism in her presentation titled “Indigenous and Reporting in Indigenous Communities.” 

This multi-skilled entrepreneur transitioned from media and journalism to a career in communications and marketing. Livia served as a Communications Specialist for the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service and currently works with the Tsuut’ina Nation Healthy Living Program, among other initiatives. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Banff Buffalo Nations Cultural Society. 

Aside from her career, Indigenous fashion is a passion Livia has long awaited to pursue. Now, she creates custom, one-of-a-kind pieces rooted in her culture, focusing on Indigenous haute couture while also producing traditional works and apparel. In addition, she has published a series of Indigenous wellness journals, available internationally on Amazon. 

Livia is the recipient of the 2019 Community Futures Treaty 7 Indigenous Business Builders Series Recognition Award. In March 2022, she completed a three-week Indigenous Haute Couture Residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Her designs have been showcased at Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (2022) and Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (2023). 

Her work has received notable media recognition, including: 

The Toronto Star & The Kit Magazine, which named her one of four Indigenous fashion designers changing the game. 

The Globe and Mail, which featured her story, Healing Through the Threads – Grief and Creating Fashion. 

CBC Calgary News, which highlighted her as one of the few Indigenous designers gaining international recognition. 

Currently, Livia is a featured artist for the Calgary Public Library, contributing Indigenous digital artwork for the MMIWG2S Campaign Project.