Vendor Expo at Timmins Native Friendship Centre brings community closer to Indigenous roots
A vendor expo at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre on Sunday, gave people in the community an opportunity to buy authentic Indigenous handcrafted items such as moccasins, beaded jewellery and a variety of artwork.
Annie Weesk, originally from Fort Albany, has lived in Timmins most of her life and for the past forty or fifty years she said, she's been handcrafting moccasins and knitted socks. She said her late mother-in-law, Laura, taught her.
"A day a pair to make yeah, same with these (knitted socks) I make two socks a week," she said.
The Timmins Native Friendship Centre organized the one-day event to give artisans a place to sell their goods.
Various types of beaded jewellery was available from a number of vendors, all showing different styles. Dec.5/21 (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)Various types of beaded jewellery was available from a number of vendors, all showing different styles. Dec.5/21 (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“The beading; the painting; the sewing; and all of that. That’s all stuff that we learned from our grandparents and unfortunately I never picked up on any of that good stuff," said Caitlyn Kaltwasser, a youth employment worker at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre.
"I’m happy to bring the people that do together so people like me can purchase beautiful things as well.”
Feather Metatawabin is selling prints of her late father's original artwork. She said he was sick and died while waiting in a hospital emergency room. Twelve years later she said she's ready to work at keeping his art and memory alive.
“Now that I’m growing older and I’m realizing the truth more. I’m in university. I’m learning a lot about colonization and Canada’s dark history and it just made me appreciate and be proud that I’m native. I understand my father now," she said.
Officials said items purchased here not only serve practical purposes, but are infused with knowledge and spirit from the Hudson and James Bay Coasts.
"They put their heart and soul into this work," said Kaltwasser.
David Laneville of Timmins said he comes regularly to support the artisans at these vendor expos.
“I have mitts that are well over 40 years old and so they last for a long time. They’re warm as all get out. Again just quality stuff from the artisans that are here."
Shopping and chatting can work up an appetite and 'Indian tacos' were served for lunch--deep fried bannock is used instead of a tortilla shell.
This vendor expo is celebrating its eighth anniversary after taking a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.