‘We need more representation’: Inuit sister models from Yellowknife appear in Vogue

By Rose Danen, CBC News

In March 2021, Linda and Evangeline Charlie travelled to Edmonton for an editorial photo shoot.

“We just went out there and did our best,” said Linda, who is 23. “We actually waited for over a year to see the results so we were like ‘oh, the photographer didn’t like the pictures. I guess it just didn’t work out well.'”

Just as the sisters began to forget about the photo shoot, the photographer told Linda the big news a few weeks ago during a different photo shoot. 

Their faces would be appearing in Vogue.

“A few days later I was just checking Vogue, checking Vogue. And then when I found the picture I was like ‘no way!'” said Linda. “I went over to Evangeline. We screamed and we went and showed our mom. It was pretty exciting.”

In a black and white photo published online in PhotoVogue on July 11, there were the Charlie sisters, side-by-side. The photo was taken by photographer Katherine Kingston.

“I couldn’t believe it. Like a part of me doesn’t believe it still, but it’s an amazing opportunity so I’m so happy,” said 19-year-old Evangeline.

[…]

Growing up in the North as Black Inuit, Linda said they often felt like outcasts. But in becoming models they have grown to embrace their differences.

“We always found it important to be representation for Indigenous people. Indigenous people come in a lot of different colours, shapes and sizes,” said Linda. “We’re just happy to represent our community.”

Find out what this opportunity meant for these marginalized sisters.

Just like some Inuit people are black, so, too are some Latinos. This includes Arturo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican man who strove to preserve black history.

Catch the latest Black news.