The line between inspiration and appropriation in fashion is oftentimes blurred. Nobody knows this better than the indigenous community, whose sacred prints, hand-burnished leatherwork, and beaded appliqués have been imitated by fashion houses for centuries. This type of cultural appropriation, where labels draw from deep-rooted design codes without crediting the culture they are taking them from, is particularly harmful to indigenous people, who have been, and continue to be, marginalized. But now, a new crop of indigenous designers in North America is fighting back, using their collections to spotlight cultural activism and grassroots movements that are more important now than ever—especially given recent events, such as the pipeline protests at Standing Rock.

These unique designers hail from a variety of distinctive tribes, from Ojibwe to Kiowa, and are fusing their cultures’ time-honored craftsmanship with new, unexpected flourishes, such as graphic silk screen or 3-D printing. The unifying message? Reclaiming their heritage in a time when indigenous people continue to remain invisible. The collections, which range from jewelry to ready-to-wear, find inspiration in traditionally meaningful elements such as animals, historical government documents, and ornate regalia pieces, such as the powwow dresses worn by Crees, Crows, and many other groups, each one different in nature. “The biggest misconception about indigenous design is that it’s all the same,” said designer Bethany Yellowtail. “Crows are very different than Navajos, and Cheyennes are very different than Ojibwes. It’s really important to tell those stories through our design.”

Thankfully, indigenous fashion is finally gaining some ground. This week, Toronto will follow in the footsteps of Australia and Vancouver, British Columbia, by hosting its first-ever Indigenous Fashion Week. This four-day initiative will give designers a much-needed platform and serves as a promising counterpoint to the pervasive appropriation still found on today’s runways. “When an indigenous person can take up space and present an honest, individual point of view of who they are, that is incredibly powerful,” said designer Evan Ducharme. It will feature runway shows from designers such as Ducharme, panel discussions about cultural appropriation, and a shoppable marketplace stocked with authentic indigenous-made products. (Last year, the “Native Fashion Now” exhibition was also hosted at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City, which displayed the disruptive works of more than 60 indigenous designers.)

Below, meet six rising indigenous talents from across North America as they sound off on their latest collections, the need for activism, and the power of reconciliation.