Hundreds of makers showcase creativity, care at Indigenous crafts sale in Winnipeg

Indigenous artists were busy making connections and sales at the 10thannual Indigenous Arts & Crafts sale in Winnipeg on Saturday.

For Lana Harper, the holiday season means connecting with family and getting crafty.

"My mom would set up the whole house with crafts [at Christmas]. We're crafty people," Harper said.

The retired nurse from Fisher River Cree Nation was one of over a hundred makers at the saleheld at Union Centre.The event is typically held at the Neeginan Centre on Higgins, but an issue with electricity forced them to move this year.

Harper set up a tablewith her brother-in-law and sister, featuring holiday decorations, baked goodsand handmade drums.

"This showcases what our people are like our love is put into all of what we do."

The salehas grownfrom a couple dozen artists to 102 this year, organizer Jacques St. Goddard said.

Saturday's eventwas a good chance for artists to access sales, promotion and networking opportunities, said St. Goddard, although inflation has increased the overall costs of materials.

"Leather has gone up, fur has gone up paint, beadwork."

But artists are trying to keep their crafts at a fair price, he says, and their customers still beat wholesale markups.

"It is a big deal for someone to come and purchase from the artist," said St. Goddard. "They know it's made right here and not imported."

Brittany Grisdale, a community advocate who lives in Winnipeg, says she buys all of her materials locally to keep dollars in the community.

The artist, who hasties to Brokenhead and Sagkeeng First Nations, sold "Indigenized" home decor at her table,including doormats featuring phrases likebiindigen, which means "enter" in Anishinaabemowin, and awas,a saying which means "go away" in Ininimowin.

"I saw the market and how saturated it was for other stuff, like beadwork and ribbon skirts," said Grisdale. "I wanted to do something that blended both of my passions."

Grisdalesays she sees her art as a way to beautify homes while carrying an importantmessage.

"It was about creating awareness advocating, but also making it pretty and having some Indigenous inclusivity in the home."

St. Goddard says the event was "a win all across the board" for artists, who were able to showcase and grow as a community.

"Some artists, as soon as the show's over, they're like, 'Sign me up for next year!'"

Indigenous crafts sale in Winnipeg

2 years ago

Duration 1:37

Indigenous artists were busy making connections and sales at the 10th annual Indigenous Arts & Crafts sale in Winnipeg on Saturday.