Indigenous night market in Edmonton showcases local artisans, vendors

A night market took place over the weekend in Edmonton to celebrate and promote local Indigenous artisans and vendors.

“We have over 80 local Indigenous artists and vendors, all great homemade, hand-crafted stuff, over 16 food trucks and a full line-up of Indigenous entertainment on our stage,” said Jayne Behm, the director of marketing for the River Cree Resort and Casino.

“And the best part is, it’s absolutely free to attend.”

Chelsea Boucher was one of the vendors at the weekend market. She is trying to incorporate the Cree language into her products.

“I do in-house storage containers so it has English and Cree,” said Boucher of crafts store River City Rustic. “So I’m trying to incorporate the Cree language into people’s homes in a non-judgement way because a lot of our language has died with the history of colonialism.

“So I’m trying to encourage people to bring their language back into their homes.”

Live music at Edmonton’s Indigenous Night Market on June 26, 2022. (Credit: CityNews/Laura Krause)

The Night Market at the River Cree showcased beadwork, various handmade items and Indigenous entertainment.

The market has grown exponentially since last year, when it first kicked off.

Boucher says it’s important to support local Indigenous businesses.

“We are located on Treaty 6 territory, so we have a vast history and so many groups of Indigenous people who have traveled here and spent time here throughout generations,” she said. “All of these people are very, very hard-working people. They have spent years mastering their craft, and selling not only their art, but their teachings, and the generational experience that they have had.

“So it is very interesting to see the diversity of people.”

June is National Indigenous History Month, and an opportunity to learn more about Indigenous Peoples. The market gave Edmontonians the opportunity to do just that.

Closeup of traditional moccasins at Live music at Edmonton’s Indigenous Night Market on June 26, 2022. (Credit: CityNews/Laura Krause)

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