By Michelle Poirier
Big Canoe Indigenous Market is filled with indigenous and local artisans’ offerings and a packed schedule of workshops and healing circles; owner Jared Big Canoe believes the store can offer more.
“My belief on the business is it’s a way to open the door for people to access indigenous culture,” Jared Big Canoe said.
“We teach different aspects of indigenous culture. Like drumming, crafting, earring making, or different wood burning things.”
Big Canoe said this is a way to keep the community busy and bring new energy into the store.
Upcoming workshops in May include: Learn Drum Songs, Friday May 15; Wood Burnt Charcuterie Board, Saturday May 23; Healing Circle, Saturday May 23; Flower Hammering, Sunday May 24; Mala Beads and Meditation, Saturday May 30.
Workshops in June include: Caribou Tufting, Saturday June 6; Candle Making, Saturday June 13; Dream Catchers, Saturday June 20; Soap and Fabric Softener, Saturday June 27; Hat Burning/Painting, Saturday June 28.
Big Canoe says he wants people to come away from the workshops with more than just learning a new skill.
“I want to create a dialogue and get the opportunity for the community to come and learn about who indigenous people are,” he said.
“A lot of times, any kind of racial bias or prejudice is based in ignorance. So, it’s about learning about each other and then creating friendships.”
Even if you’re from the other side of Georgina, making the trip to Big Canoe Indigenous Market can be a fun and learning experience.
“If you wanted to explore Georgina and see something different this would be a good place to go because you’re not just going to see products, you’ll probably experience some sort of cultural element that will give you some insight into who we are as a people,” he said.
“I’m trying to create conversation. It’s all about ways that we can unify and understand that, as people, we’re more the same than we are different. That’s the overall goal, to have people feel more comfortable being in the space and interacting with indigenous people and knowing that we’re all in this together.”
For the whole month of May, they are offering a 20 per cent off promo for most items in store.
Big Canoe Indigenous Market is located at 26102 Highway 48 and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information on what’s in store and workshop schedules, you can visit Big Canoe Indigenous Market on Facebook.
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