From the Open Sea to Sustainable Style: How Skye McEwan is Crafting a Creative Second Act
Career paths are rarely a straight line. Sometimes, the most rewarding journeys require us to completely change course, trading familiar horizons for uncharted territory.
For Skye McEwan, a 43-year-old member of the Onondaga Clear Sky Nation, navigating transition is nothing new. After a successful 15-year career on the water, Skye is currently charting a new path into the world of sustainable fashion—proving that it is never too late to learn, evolve, and create.
Setting Sail with GREAT
Skye’s relationship with Grand River Employment and Training (GREAT) began over a decade ago. In 2010, she accessed GREAT’s services to fund her Bridgewatch training at the Western Maritime Institute in Ladysmith, BC. Thanks to that initial support, Skye secured gainful employment in the maritime sector for a decade and a half.
But eventually, the pull toward a long-held passion became too strong to ignore.
"When I was looking for a career pivot, I was aware of the services GREAT offered and reached out to the team there," Skye shares. "I’ve always been interested in textiles and fashion."
In 2026, Skye officially made the leap from the sea to the studio, enrolling in the Pattern Making and Assembly Program at The Cut Fashion Academy in Vancouver, BC.
Overcoming the Challenges of a New Craft
Stepping out of your comfort zone always brings a learning curve. For Skye, trading maritime charts for garment patterns meant training her brain to see the world in an entirely new way.
"During the program, I had to learn a completely new set of skills," Skye admits. "From drafting the patterns to cutting and sewing—most of this was new to me. I found that assembling the patterns required me to think in 3D, which I found challenging."
However, with the right environment and determination, those barriers quickly turned into breakthroughs. "The instructors were really helpful and patiently guided me through the process. By the end of the course, I felt confident enough to take on these projects on my own."
A Vision for the Future: Sustainable Fashion & Community Impact
While Skye is currently in the transitional phase of being unemployed post-graduation, she isn't slowing down. Her eyes are firmly fixed on the horizon.
With the technical foundation of pattern making under her belt, Skye’s next step is to master the business side of creativity. She plans to take entrepreneurial courses to lay the groundwork for her own small clothing line—a brand that will focus heavily on textiles and sustainable fashion.
For Skye, success isn't just about personal achievement; it’s about lifting others up.
"When I am running my small business, I plan to give a percentage of my sales to support Indigenous women’s housing."
In five years, Skye sees herself successfully running this business, blending her passion for West Coast Indigenous themes and artistic expression with sustainable practices.
Commendations from the Field
Skye's drive and unique artistic vision haven't gone unnoticed. Her Employment Training Counsellor (ETC) shared high praise for her initiative and market insight:
"When I first got to know Skye, I was impressed with her initiative and insight regarding Fashion Design, its relevancy and prevalence as being an up-and-coming trend in terms of West Coast Indigenous themes and artistic expression. In light of this, she was able to relate to how this could complement her own entrepreneurial goals of Fashion Design, which has always been a passion for her. I wish her all the best in her venture!"
Skye’s Advice: Embrace the Pivot
If you are currently standing at a crossroads, unsure of your next career move, Skye offers some hard-earned wisdom:
Through the continued support of GREAT, Skye was able to focus entirely on her studies, free from the financial burdens that often hold back adult learners. Now, she is ready for phase two.
Are you looking to kick-start your own new journey? Connect with the team at GREAT today to explore how their training programs and services can support your goals.
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