Indigenous markets pop up across the city ahead of holidays

Christmas is not that far away and so is the scramble for gifts before the big day.

Fortunately, there are different Indigenous Christmas markets happening today and throughout December to ease the mind and get loved ones a unique present.

Items can range from jewelry to printed art to apparel.

On Saturday, Shkoday will be holding an arts and crafts market from 9 until 3 in the afternoon at 1610 John St Road. 

Eugema Ings is the program director for Shkoday and said the idea behind the market is not only to highlight artists' work, but also to raise money for their programs they run at Shkoday.

"So it's kind of neat to be able to have that aspect there too. And everybody's different from how they do their crafting and everything else," said Ings.

Ings said they will also be selling bannock and soup, and attendees will be able to put their name in for the door prize which is a Christmas tree donated by Kiwanis Tree Lot.

"Anybody coming because when they enter, they can put their name in the door prize and they will actually deliver the tree to whoever the winner is within the area within Thunder Bay here or we can make arrangements that they can pick it up," said Ings.

"We will also have a table, an auction table. with people who will be donating baskets and different things like this where people can purchase tickets."

On December 14th and 15th, the annual Indigenous Christmas Market is happening at the CLE Colosseum Building opening from 9 am until 6 pm.

John Ferris is the coordinator for the Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario and runs the annual market.

He said there will be around 200 artisans coming from all across northern Ontario and even some coming up from southern Ontario for the big show.

"It's a really good time for everyone to meet and greet each other again. And you know,  it's a joyful season for sure in that respect," said Ferris.

"So we've accumulated quite a few artisans throughout the years now. So our show… we have all kinds of traditional artworks that are going to be on display and for sale."

On November 28th and 29th, The Outpost at Lakehead University will be holding an Indigenous Winter Artist Market, featuring work from local Indigenous artists.

It will feature crafts, clothing and carvings, and will be happening from 10 am until 4 pm.

There will also be another Indigenous Artist Market happening on Saturday put on by Anemki Art Collective at Goods and Co. Market from 10 am until 4 pm.