Market a showcase of Indigenous creators

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This article was published 14/06/2024 (790 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Pitaw Mino Muskiki, the seasonal market highlighting the handmade works of Indigenous artists, creators and makers, makes a return this weekend to Via Rail Union Station.

This year’s event is in honour of Indigenous People’s History Month and Pride Month, and features the works of more than 90 artisans from the Indigenous community.

The two-day market, running Friday and Saturday, was founded by three female Indigenous artists and community advocates — Shauna Fontaine of Anishinaabe Girl Designs, Brittany Grisdale of Black Wolf Dog and Dana Connolly of Mashkiki Garden Creations — to address the gaps in representation at other markets.

“We want to celebrate and support the wide-ranging talents of Indigenous people while increasing Indigenous economy. This is why we started the market,” Fontaine says.

The market, now in its sixth iteration, is free and features a majority of Manitoba-based artists, with a small number travelling to the province from Ontario.

Including works from First Nations, Métis and Inuit makers, the market also highlights the intergenerational and cultural continuity in arts and crafts that exists within Indigenous cultures.

Often a whole family works together to make and create, Fontaine says.

“I learned my craft from my aunties and when I make my stuff, my children help. When we talk about Indigenous artists or makers, it’s not just one person doing it, there is family behind them,” she says.

Bringing together writers, artists, designers, jewellers, musicians and food vendors, the event will feature DJ Kaptain, who will play music across both days.

The family-inclusive space includes a designated children’s area complete with art activities hosted by artist Kisa MacIsaac.

Demonstrations scheduled across the weekend include Inuit throat singing, powwow dancing and a drum song performed by Ka Ni Kanichihk (the Butterfly Club).

There will also be food vendors offering hot food, bannock, cookies and butter tarts.

Everyone is welcome, Fontaine points out.

“There comes a little bit of fear around cultural appropriation. People always ask, ‘Do you have to be Indigenous to attend?’ No, absolutely not! Anyone can come. This is a chance for people to spend their money with Indigenous makers and sustain and support the Indigenous economy,” she says.

“We look at it as reconcili-action. You don’t have to be Indigenous to buy a butter tart.”

av.kitching@winnipegfreepress.com

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