Artisan market at Come Toward the Fire festival spotlights Indigenous-owned businesses, September 16

A selection of 10 vendors is on site at Chan Centre selling handmade soaps, beadwork earrings, soy candles, and more

By emily lyth

Decolonial Clothing.

Sisters Sage.

ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl (Come Toward the Fire) takes place on September 16 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) territory

BRIGHTLY COLOURED beadwork, “Land Back” t-shirts, and sweetgrass-infused soap: there’s a vibrant selection of Indigenous creations planned for the artisan market at the Come Toward the Fire festival on September 16.

Presented by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and Musqueam, Come Toward the Fire is a celebration of Indigenous culture and community held in advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The full-day event features film screenings, workshops, and artist discussions, plus live music and dance performances.

At the artisan market, 10 Indigenous-owned businesses will showcase their products, including three handmade beadwork artists: Lisa Beading, Little Métis Things, and Amanda Ruth Beads.

Cree-Métis and Irish artist Amanda McDermott from Alberta’s Swan River First Nation crafts jewellery and accessories through Amanda Ruth Beads, incorporating materials such as deer hide, abalone, rabbit fur, and more. McDermott, whose beading journey began in 2013, now teaches workshops on the practice. She also provides rural Indigenous communities with supplies by sending them beading kits, creating access to opportunity.

Lisa Beading is run by Lisa Walker, with a creation focus on brightly coloured earrings. Each of her pieces is named with a x̄á’isla title, allowing Walker to gradually learn and reclaim her x̄á’islak̓ala language skills. Little Métis Things by Jennifer White creates everything from medallions to patches to pins.

ćikʷ: bird (northern flicker) earrings by Lisa Beading.

Iron Dog Books will also be on site. Located on East Hastings near Slocan Street, the community staple first started out on four wheels as Vancouver’s first modern-day mobile book store. It’s run by founders Cliff and Hilary Atleo, who are of Nuu-Chah-Nulth/Tsimsian and Anishinaabe/settler descent, respectively.

For Indigenous-made self-care and wellness products, there are luxurious soaps and body butters from Sweetgrass Soap; traditional ingredient-packed salves, bath bombs, and smokeless smudge from Sisters Sage; plus, creatively named natural soy candles from Alice + Sage (think summery blackberry-raspberry-vanilla in Respect Your Elderberries, or the warm cinnamon-ginger-patchouli blend of Kokum’s Kitchen).

Also at the market is LadyBear Designs, who creates Lil’ Kookum Dolls (grandmother plushies dressed in cutely patterned jumpsuits); “Land Back” and “Decolonize” graphic tees at Decolonial Clothing; and Indigenous-inspired fashion from Shining Bear Designs (a stand-out are hoodies that feature the cheeky statement “Go Smudge Yourself”).

The artisan market is part of the fest’s free-to-access daytime programming. Vendors will be open from 1 pm to 6 pm, selling the aforementioned items and more.  

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