Bridging Cultures

A partnership with Lord Byng Secondary School, with heartfelt support from Principal Mr. Wilmann, led to the creation of unique, hand-embroidered school logo badges that blended cultural heritage from different parts of the world. These badges, designed to represent the school’s identity, featured not only elements of First Nations art but also incorporated the intricate traditional craftsmanship of the Raojia ethnic minority from Baixing Village, Guizhou Province, China. The collaboration resulted in a design that celebrated the local roots of Vancouver’s First Nations alongside the ancient embroidery techniques passed down through generations of Chinese artisans.

The badges, valued at $5000 CAD, were hand-stitched by over 50 embroiderers from Baixing Village, whose work was not only a reflection of their culture but a livelihood. Through fair trade, we ensured these women were compensated justly for their labor, providing them with a sustainable income that supported their families and preserved their rich artistic traditions. Each stitch in these badges carried the essence of cultural pride and history—blending two different yet equally significant stories into one.

For the students and faculty at Lord Byng Secondary School, these badges were more than just school emblems—they were symbols of cultural unity, respect, and social impact. Wearing them represented a commitment to supporting fair trade, preserving intangible cultural heritage, and fostering cross-cultural exchange. This project stands as a powerful example of how fair trade can bring distant communities together, enabling artisans to thrive while celebrating and honouring the traditions they hold dear.

Project Team Attribution

Project Directors: Helen Ni, Warren Ran, Rebecca Yu

Sales Group: Nick Niu, Lucas Zhao, Selina He, James He, Katie Guo

Special Thanks

To the Yao embroidery artisans from Baixing Village, Kaili City, Guizhou Province, for their invaluable craftsmanship and dedication to preserving cultural heritage, which added immense artistic value to this project.

To Lord Byng Secondary School, especially the principal for their leadership and support, and the teachers for their active participation and assistance, which made this project possible.

To the Indigenous artists of British Columbia for their inspiring school badge designs that reflect the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of the First Nations communities, contributing to the unique identity of this project.