Lor Brand

Lor Brand is a Red River Métis beadworker and Product Developer from Winnipeg, MB in Treaty 1 territory whose family comes from Richer, MB. She learned two-needle beading with the help of many Métis beadworkers and has been practicing ever since. Beadwork is Lor’s way of continuing her ancestors’ legacies and working towards a bright future for Indigenous peoples through visibility, representation, and the celebration of Indigenous excellence through art and fashion.

In addition to her personal practice, Lor is a Product Developer for Métis-founded footwear brand, Manitobah, where she helps bring Indigenous footwear and accessories to life and facilitates Manitobah’s artist partnerships all while supporting Manitobah’s vision to make positive impacts in Indigenous communities.

MANIGOBAH’S ORIGIN STORY

As a young Métis entrepreneur, Sean McCormick began Manitobah Mukluks with the vision of creating a successful company while benefiting his community. Today we continue that vision on a larger scale, as a global brand making a positive impact in Indigenous communities across North America.

Sean McCormick spent much of his childhood in northern Manitoba and started selling leather and fur while still in high school. In 1990, he established a trading post where Indigenous artisans traded handmade mukluks and moccasins for tanned leather, skins and furs. During this time, Sean saw an even greater opportunity to connect members of his community to the growing demand for authentic Indigenous footwear. In 1996, after completing the Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Training Program, Sean created the business plan and framework that would become Manitobah.

In 2008, Manitobah began global operations and today it is one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies, with employees and customers worldwide. Despite the rapid success and growth of the brand, Manitobah remains connected to its roots and continues to provide authentic, Indigenous- designed products that return value to Indigenous communities.

Manitobah became a certified B Corporation in 2023, a designation that demonstrates a business meets high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.