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Rez Dog Clothing Company American Indian Apparel Biography If you have ever been to any major Indian pow-wow or gatherings, chances are you have seen the Rez Dog Clothing Company booth. All across the country the Rez Dog logo is on car windows, bumper stickers, shirts, hats, and pullovers. The name itself brings a smile from anyone who has ever lived in Indian country. Keith DeHaas (Standing Rock Lakota Sioux) and Mary Boardman - DeHaas (Fort Peck Assiniboine Sioux) founded Rez Dog Clothing Company in 1996. They started designing t-shirts after attending pow-wows in Oklahoma and seeing only what they call "mystic Indian" shirts. The not quite right images of Indian braves and maidens with rainbows and eagles were not to their taste. In putting together Rez Dog Clothing Company, they wanted to draw from the commonalties of all reservations. They realized one of the most common factors, was the scruffy and tough survivor – the reservation dog. Some people consider the rez dog a bothersome creature, but on the other hand, it is respected for having a certain toughness and courage to defy the elements. DeHaas related to that. The rez dog is like the community dog, and with that spirit, Rez Dog Clothing Company was formed. Keith DeHaas thought what Indian country needed was a line of cutting edge clothing with sayings that were just for them; inside jokes and rez slang. And a logo that speaks to the Indian community with humor. Laughing with and about yourself, while representing ones pride in ones cultural heritage is what the company strives for. Rez Dog designs speak for themselves! Having been given the honor of "Pow-wow Vendor of the Year" by Pow-wows.com, Rez Dog Clothing Company is one of the most visible Indian owned and operated business in North America. They were even voted "Favorite Indian Business" and "Favorite Indian Website" by the readers of the Native American Times publication. And now the sassy T-shirts and designs for which Rez Dog is known are showing up everywhere, including the motion pictures, "Smoke Signals," "The Business of Fancy Dancing," "Dream Keeper" and "Skins." There is also a Rez Dog SIMS "Skin" character wearing the Rez Dog 49 Jersey available for your PC game. Our First Nations friends in Canada can see Rez Dog apparel and Native Naturals on the Canadian television series "Moccasin Flats." Rez Dog Clothing Company was proud to be the very first American Indian family owned and operated federally-trademarked clothing company in the United States. In the Indian culture, family is heavily emphasized. Families often participate in activities together. At a Rez Dog booth you will see not only Keith or Mary, but their nephew Kylor, niece Kasey, Keith’s father Bill, or Keith’s uncle Tom. Their ages range from 17-60, and the appeal of Rez Dog ranges from young to old alike. The Rez Dog logo was federally trademarked in 1998 and Native Naturals - American Indian Spa Line was federally trademarked in 2002. "Rez Diva" our wonderful logo line for women was federally trademarked in 2005.
Rez Dog is proud to be actively involved in sponsorship of Indian athletics, musicians, entertainers, models and causes. Iron Five of North
Dakota –
Championship winners – Men’s All Indian Basketball Team Oyate Challenge – Hoopa Valley, California - High School Basketball Team The Oklahomans for Indian Opportunities Spirit of Women Sponsor N.A.T.I.V.E. Project
- Spokane Washington Annual Indian rap artist
Natay Indian comedian Drew Lacapa Native American Cancer Research Corp. - Denver, Colorado
"The Girls of Rez Dog Clothing Company – American Indian Beauties" Swimsuit Calendar In 2003 Rez Dog Clothing Company successfully debuted the very first all Native American swimsuit calendar. This calendar grew out of our desire to help sponsor beautiful young American Indian women as they embark on modeling and entertainment careers. We have followed that up with four more calendars featuring Indian country's most beautiful and talented Indian women. As an Indian owned and operated venture, we feel it is time for us to step up and take care of our own – the up and coming American Indian artists and entertainers – our Indian stars of tomorrow! The Seminole Tribe of Florida sponsored our 2007 calendar which was photographed in and around Hollywood, Florida. A portion of the proceeds of the American Indian Beauties calendar will go to the Native American Cancer Research in the name of Rita Ann McLaughlin-DeHaas, Miss Indian America 1955 who died of breast cancer in 1987. Rez Dog Clothing Company supports Indian women in the fight to end breast cancer.
Rez Dog Develops Bath & Body Division "Native Naturals"
On a Personal Note About Rez Dog Clothing Company & Native Naturals Owners Keith DeHaas and Mary Boardman-DeHaas
For Interview Requests, Please Call 405-321-7322 or E-mail: orders@rezdog.com
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