Home Community A New Location for the Big Canoe Indigenous Market

A New Location for the Big Canoe Indigenous Market

November 4, 2024

1180

By Angie Sullivan

Jared Big Canoe, a Chippewa from Georgina Island First Nation, has moved his Big Canoe Indigenous Market to a new location at 26102 Hwy 48.

The rustic storefront can be found near the Anchor Family Restaurant just outside of Sutton. A life-sized wood carving of a bear greets customers in the parking lot.

Big Canoe said, “I just want to get established as a place where the community can come to access culture, good deals, and some products like streetwear, shoes, and custom clothing. Our new location is really convenient for those coming from the city who need last-minute things for the cottage.”

The store features the work of local Indigenous artist Alpha Khamceh, who had created a set of tarot cards, and brightly coloured oil on canvas paintings. “Universe in a Leaf” is on sale for $1200.

Eye-catching paintings by Brian Dwayne Sarazin are also for sale. Sarazin is an Indigenous artist, singer, and educator of Algonquin, Lakota, Onondaga, and Chippewa descent. A plaque in the store explains, “It wasn’t until he was in his late thirties, and had a close brush with death, that he embraced spiritual paintings.”

Sharon Dennis, an employee of the Big Canoe Indigenous Market, said, “Our sweet grass and sage smudges are very popular. The Indigenous beadwork jewelry is also a top seller.”

Jared Big Canoe said the reception to his “new digs” has been very positive and “we offer traditional healing services as well, and a place to access time with medicine people.”

If interested, Big Canoe also offers drum-making workshops and sweat lodge ceremony teaching.