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Background

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We conducted a year-long investigation into the business practices of Chantel Dustyhorn, and this inquiry is still ongoing. During this time, we thoroughly reviewed a wide range of evidence, including screenshots, emails, text message threads, and Facebook Messenger exchanges. We have also seen documentation of any legal actions taken by affected customers and have reviewed all relevant receipts. This careful examination of the available records has provided us with valuable insights into the patterns of behavior at play, and we remain committed to gathering and sharing information to ensure that our community is informed and protected.

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Social History

Chantel Dustyhorn is a 40-year-old Cree woman, a member of Kawacatoose First Nation #88 in Saskatchewan, currently residing in East Vancouver. She moved to BC in 2021. As a 2-Spirit individual, she identifies within the broader Indigenous community. Chantel is a widowed mother of five, with her eldest daughter, Nih-Tanis Rayne Bigsky, an adult. Chantel and Nih-Tanis specialize in custom beadwork for Powwow regalia, hand-sewn ribbon skirts, shirts, and applique work. Chantel markets her creations under the brand "ChanD" while Nih-Tanis markets her creations under "Rayne Creations" on Facebook and Instragram.
 

Chantel and Nih-Tanis are well-known in the Powwow community, regularly posting pictures of their beadwork and regalia on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. They also operate vendor tables at Powwows across British Columbia and beyond, where they sell their merchandise directly to the public. They are recognized by many Arena Directors, MCs, Elders, and champion dancers. However, recent reports suggest that their business practices have raised significant concerns.

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Community Reports

At least two dozen individuals have come forward, sharing their stories of being scammed, financially harmed, and emotionally distressed. We strongly urge caution when dealing with Chantel Dustyhorn and Nih-Tanis Rayne Bigsky (they work together scamming people) or her services. Please protect yourself and stay informed about her actions.

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Victims have lost thousands of dollars and have clear, documented evidence to back their claims. We have the receipts and can fully substantiate the allegations made on this site. To protect the identities of those affected, we have withheld personal details to provide space for the individuals involved to pursue resolution through civil channels. Stay alert and safeguard your interests.

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Reports from victims, their families, Elders, knowledge keepers, and Powwow leaders highlight the significant emotional toll of Ms. Dustyhorn's actions. Many of those affected are women, Elders, and community members who are in the process of reconnecting with their culture or on a healing journey. These individuals, often in vulnerable positions, place their trust in Ms. Dustyhorn, believing she will deliver the products they’ve paid for.

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When orders go unfulfilled, and deposits remain unrefunded, these customers are left feeling trapped and powerless. The emotional manipulation involved creates a damaging cycle—victims begin to doubt their own decisions, feeling guilty for trusting her and uncertain about how to resolve the situation without risking further harm. Some fear speaking out, as they worry it will prevent them from ever receiving their products.

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This lack of recourse and failure to follow through on commitments only deepens the sense of helplessness. The ongoing pattern of delays, excuses, and unfulfilled promises has caused widespread emotional distress, particularly among those already facing personal challenges or navigating difficult life circumstances.

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Ultimately, Ms. Dustyhorn's repeated actions have not only financially harmed many but have created a cycle of deception and emotional manipulation that has deeply affected members of the Powwow community—individuals who are vulnerable, seeking connection, or on a path of healing. The impact has been far-reaching, causing harm not only to the direct victims but to their families, communities, and cultural connections as well.

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Summary of Findings

TIMELINE: Canada-wide Reports and Ongoing Investigation:

The following transactions occurred between 2008 - 2022 (14 years):
 

1. 2008: A customer sent $4,500.00 for a "ChanD Beadwork Set" and reports experiencing no progress pictures, lengthy delays, excuses, and ultimately no product was delivered. The customer reports they were blocked across all social media platforms and ghosted. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer.
    

2. 2011: A customer sent $1,800.00 for a "ChanD Beadwork Set" and reports experiencing no progress pictures, lengthy delays, excuses, and ultimately no product was delivered. The customer reports they were blocked across all social media platforms and ghosted. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer.
    

3. 2013: A customer ordered beadwork of around $4500.00 for a "ChanD Beadwork Set" and reports experiencing no progress pictures, lengthy delays, excuses, and ultimately no product was delivered. The customer reports they were blocked across all social media platforms and ghosted on text. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer.
    

4. 2014: A customer sent $3,500.00 for a "ChanD Beadwork Set" and reports experiencing no progress pictures, lengthy delays, excuses, and ultimately no product was delivered. The customer reports they were blocked across all social media platforms and ghosted. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer.
    

5. 2018: A customer reported paying a $2,000 deposit for a "ChanD Beadwork Set" and reports experiencing no progress pictures, lengthy delays, excuses, and ultimately no product was delivered. The customer reports they were blocked across all social media platforms and ghosted. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer.
    

6. 2018: Saskatchewan Provincial Court Judgment ordered Ms. Dustyhorn  to pay $8,400.00 following a court ruling related to unfulfilled orders and the failure to refund deposits. Reimbursement did not occur. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer. No reimbursement took place.
    

7. 2020: A customer sent a deposit (did not clarify amount) for a "ChanD Beadwork Set" and reports experiencing no progress pictures, lengthy delays, excuses, and ultimately no product was delivered. The customer reports they were blocked across all social media platforms and ghosted. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer.
    

8. 2021: A customer sent a deposit of $2,700.00 for a men's traditional "ChanD Beadwork Set" and reports experiencing no progress pictures, lengthy delays, excuses, and ultimately no product was delivered. The customer reports they were blocked across all social media platforms and ghosted. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer.
    

9. 2021: A customer sent a deposit of $2,800.00 for a "ChanD Beadwork Set" and reports experiencing no progress pictures, lengthy delays, excuses, and ultimately no product was delivered. The customer reports they were blocked across all social media platforms and ghosted. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer.
    

10. 2022: A customer sent a deposit of $1800.00 for a "ChanD Beadwork Set" and reports experiencing no progress pictures, lengthy delays, excuses, and ultimately no product was delivered. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer.
     

11. 2023-2024: A customer sent a deposit of $2000.00 for a "ChanD Beadwork Set" and reports experiencing no progress pictures, lengthy delays, excuses, and ultimately no product was delivered. Ms. Dustyhorn is reported to have kept the deposit, provided no product, and stopped responding to the customer.

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Ongoing Investigations Underway in British Columbia 2023/2024/2025 onward:
 

There have been 4 NEW separate reports made to the collective by prominent individuals within the Powwow circuit in BC regarding the business practices of Ms. Dustyhorn and Ms. Bigsky. These reports are being taken seriously and are currently under investigation to determine the most appropriate course of action. The goal is to resolve these concerns in a good way, in alignment with the values of wahkotowin (kinship), and to ensure the integrity of the powwow community is upheld.​

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In addition to the BC reports, new testimonies from Arena Directors in Alberta have corroborated that Ms. Bigsky and Ms. Dustyhorn are widely known to work together in attracting new customers. They often respond to each other's messages with progress pictures of each other’s work, which may explain the discrepancies in style, appearance, and color schemes when the progress pictures are reviewed over multiple months. This pattern of conflicting images and practices has been noted by several customers.

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The collective is actively gathering more information, and we encourage all individuals to share their experiences, in the public forum called "The Powwow Trail - Bad Sellers" if they feel comfortable doing so, to assist in bringing clarity to the situation.

 

Please check back for updates as this investigation continues.

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A Call to Action

This website has been created to warn the public about Ms. Chantel Marie Dustyhorn, a BC-based vendor operating within the Powwow community. Multiple reports from across Canada raise serious concerns, including allegations of fraud, financial loss, and psychological manipulation. Ms. Dustyhorn has been accused of engaging in deceptive practices, with victims describing her as a "con artist" who preys on Powwow dancers and others.

 

We strongly urge anyone considering engaging with Ms. Dustyhorn or her services to proceed with caution. There are clear and consistent reports of scams, unfulfilled orders, and emotional manipulation that cannot be ignored. Protect yourself and others by staying informed about her actions and making careful decisions when it comes to purchasing products or services from her.

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This platform serves as a means to share critical information, protect vulnerable individuals, and raise awareness of the ongoing harm caused by Ms. Dustyhorn’s business practices. If you have been affected or have concerns, we encourage you to come forward and seek support through appropriate legal or civil channels.

Patterns of Behavior and Disclosures from the Powwow Community:

Over a 1-year-long investigation period, multiple reports have emerged from individuals within the Powwow community regarding Ms. Chantel Dustyhorn’s repeated failure to provide promised products or timely updates, despite accepting significant deposits from customers. These reports indicate a pattern of behavior that includes consistent delays, unfulfilled orders, and frequent excuses that are cited by Ms. Dustyhorn to justify her failure to meet commitments.

Common Excuses Cited by Ms. Dustyhorn:
 

1. Personal Circumstances: Ms. Dustyhorn often references personal hardships, such as being a widowed mother of five, dealing with sickness, injury, or depression, to explain the delays in fulfilling orders.

2. Financial Difficulties: She has cited insufficient funds to refund deposits as another reason for failure to fulfill customer orders. Customers have reported being told that refunds were impossible due to financial constraints, despite ongoing delays.

3. Equipment Problems: Faulty equipment, including broken sewing machines and other tools, has been repeatedly referenced as a reason for failure to complete orders on time or to meet agreed-upon deadlines.

4. Overwhelmed with Orders: Ms. Dustyhorn has also claimed to be backed up with other orders, which supposedly caused delays in completing current work.

5. Excuses Related to Family and Personal Life: In addition to illness and personal challenges, she has also referenced funerals, holidays, work commitments, and broken bones as reasons for missed deadlines.

6. General Lack of Accountability: Many customers have reported receiving no progress pictures or updates on their orders, despite repeated requests. When provided, the images often did not align with the actual work or style of the customer’s order, causing confusion and distrust.
    

Conclusion:

These repeated delays and excuses have been widely discussed within the Powwow community, with many individuals sharing their experiences and concerns. The collective has been made aware of multiple reports where individuals have made large deposits (ranging from several hundred to thousands of dollars) only to be left with no product and no refund after extended waiting periods.

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As these reports continue to emerge, it is clear that this pattern of behavior—marked by lack of transparency, poor communication, and unmet obligations—has caused significant frustration and financial harm to members of the Powwow community.