Diamond Phoenix Creations owner Pamela Meness, with son Phoenix Meness-King, says her business has become a way to give back to the community she loves.
Pamela Meness of Diamond Phoenix Creations, a First Nation-owned design and silk-screening business based in Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, says working with non-Indigenous organizations like The Ottawa Hospital is helping her realize her dream to support her community by providing her with the financial capability to create job opportunities and safe spaces.
Pamela started the business to support her family nine years ago, but it has become a way to give back to the community she loves.
“I always wanted to be a social worker and I went off to college and went off to university, but for whatever reason, that just never happened,” says Pamela. “Now through my business, I feel like I’m able to do that same line of work and help within my community.”
This is the second year The Ottawa Hospital is working with Pamela to supply Every Child Matters orange t-shirts for our staff to order. Diamond Phoenix Creations also supplies orange shirts for The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Nepean High School and Carleton University.
Growing grassroots support within the community
Pamela prioritizes hiring within Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and providing opportunities to people with perceived barriers. She recognizes an employee’s personal situation, whether they are neurodivergent or a single parent lacking a support system, requires empathy over a hard line. “Sometimes it seems like there are excuses that are going on because people didn’t come into work, but I know our people are dealing with a lot more traumas.”
Pamela recently extended her grassroots work beyond her business, hosting the first Mama Bear Pride Land Based Healing Event, a weekend camp for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their families in June. It included sessions with guest speakers Dr. James Makokis, who won season 7 of The Amazing Race Canada with his husband Anthony Johnson, and his mother, educator Patricia Makokis. A Cree two-spirit physician, Dr. Makokis is renowned internationally for his work with transgender youth.
Advice for finding a supplier
Pamela recommends that non-Indigenous organizations looking for a supplier go beyond ensuring the business is legitimately Indigenous and ask how it recognizes the artists and Elders it may work with and how it supports First Nation, Inuit or Métis communities.
“I think that everybody in our communities is always looking at ‘How do we make things better?’ When we look at an orange t-shirt, I can guarantee you we probably give $15 back to the community, even though we only made $5, whether it’s through one way or another.”
Learn more about Diamond Phoenix Creations and Mama Bear Pride.
About The Ottawa Hospital’s journey of reconciliation
The Ottawa Hospital is working with First Nation, Inuit and Métis partners to better ensure all campuses are safe, welcoming and reflective of the people and territories we serve.
Resources for Indigenous patients and families
Indigenous partnerships and The Ottawa Hospital’s journey of reconciliation
