Sudbury hosts Métis trade show

Greater Sudbury is hosting a trade show highlighting Métis entrepreneurs this weekend.

Held at the United Steelworkers Hall & Conference Centre on Brady Street, the two-day event features more than 20 Métis artisans, crafters and small businesses from across the region.

A Métis trade show being hosted in Sudbury by Métis Nation of Ontario featured more than 20 vendors including crafters, artisans and other small businesses. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News Northern Ontario)The trade show was hosted by the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Region Five, which includes Mattawa, North Bay and Sudbury.

"We're trying to bring more people together to celebrate our heritage, celebrate our people," said Suzanne Fortin, president of the Sudbury Métis Council.

Fortin told CTV News the first trade show was held in North Bay last year, and this is the first time it is being held in Sudbury.

Fortin says the trade show is an opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate Métis culture.

"A lot of people aren't aware of the Métis community as a whole and the Métis culture," she said.

"This is one of our opening opportunities to bring forth the skill and talent of Métis people, not only in crafts but in businesses. We have many, many Métis businesses in Sudbury and our entire region."

Some of the participants being highlight at the show are:

• Beadwork By Megh
• C & S Western Boutique
• Fresh & Easy
• Glencore
• Lancor Construction Corp.
• Levert
• Magician Ryan McFarling
• Métis Infinity Investments LP
• Métis Nation of Ontario Women's Council
• Paulyne Cascanette
• PEAK Scaffolding Ltd.
• Rose Knows Landscaping
• Two Wet Dogs Inc.
• Urban Windows
• Vale

Ann Wilson and her husband own Two Wet Dogs Maple Syrup, one of the many businesses participating in the trade show.

Ann Wilson (pictured here) and her husband own Two Wet Dogs Maple Syrup based in Loring, Ont. -- one of more than 20 vendors features at Sudbury first Métis trade show on Feb. 10 and Feb. 11. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News Northern Ontario)Wilson said the MNO has been very supportive.

"People in Sudbury and the Métis nation has been phenomenal," she said.

Based in Loring, Ont., Two Wet Dogs Maple Syrup was named after the couple's two dogs who accompany them when they're out tapping trees during syrup season.

"They're always in the middle of things and they're often wet," said Wilson.

"That's why we named our business after them."

Two Wet Dogs Maple Syrup has won first place in the Royal Winter Fair four years in a row.

Wilson said she's happy to be a part of the trade show to let the community know about their business.

“It's incredible for the networking, the people you meet and support you get," she said.

• Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
• Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
• Want more local news? Check out the Sudbury page

Fortin said she hopes this trade show will become an annual event in the city – adding the nation is very involved in the community.

The trade show runs both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Sudbury Métis Council will also be hosting a drum-making workshop next Saturday. For morning information on the council's activities and events, visit thier social media page.