“This isn’t just a First Nations, Indigenous event,” says George Casimir of CFDC of CIFN. “This is for everybody.”

Written by Janelle Rudolph

On November 13, 2022, over 80 vendors will gather at the Coast Kamloops Hotel from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to showcase products ranging from traditional medicines to tablecloths to beadwork, and everything in between. It is the second annual K’wese’ltken Kristmas organized in partnership with Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC of CIFN), the Kamloops Food Bank, and many others.

K’wese’ltken is a Secwepemc word that translates to ‘all my relations’, a fitting title for an event that blends various cultures and community together. K’wese’ltken Kristmas Market is an Indigenous managed market, with approximately 50 percent Indigenous and 50 percent non-Indigenous vendors, each with unique, original products. This year, the market has succeeded last year’s 55 vendors, due to the popular demand and previous year’s success.

“A very humble start.”

The K’wese’ltken project was developed by Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC of CIFN) as a counteraction to the ripples of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are a not-for-profit, charitable corporation that provides economic development support and small business loans to Indigenous people of the B.C. interior.

Because of their firsthand work with local entrepreneurs and artisans, many of whom rely on the sale of their goods as their primary income, CFDC of CIFN was aware of the struggles that many artisans faced as a result of the lack of cultural events, such as powwows, where they sold their products. As a response, George Casimir, the General Manager at CFDC of CIFN, and his team came up with the idea for the K’wese’ltken Farmers and Artisan Market.

Under COVID-19 restrictions, farmer’s markets were categorized as essential services meaning the K’wese’ltken Sunday markets could go ahead. On June 27, 2020, they had their first market at the Tk’emlúps powwow arbour with seven vendors, which doubled the week after and rose to 20 vendors for the third week. The number continued to grow, and the Sunday market is split at approximately 60 percent Indigenous and 40 percent non-Indigenous vendors.

“It was a very humble start,” George Casimir said.

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K’wese’ltken Kristmas

Tina Malkie, the K’wese’ltken Project Co-Ordinator who manages the markets, explained that the origins of the Kristmas market came from the tough 2021 market season. The heat, wildfires, and smoke had hampered the growing season and the powwow arbour had been designated a temporary shelter for evacuees, halting the market for a time before moving locations. But the season had been cut short and vendors had lost profits.

Many vendors went to Malkie asking for the season to be extended and wanting to regain some of their lost profits. But with cold weather approaching and the powwow arbour shutting down for the winter, Malkie’s hands were tied.

“I really felt bad, after such a tough season that they had endured,” she said. “I really wanted to let them know that I was thankful and appreciative of them for their continued support over the disruptive season.”

She then began to ask if there would be any interest amongst vendors to participate in a celebratory, end-of-year event as a thank-you for continued participation during the rough season. The majority of vendors said yes.

“It’s the idea that we can always do a little bit more,” Casimir said about the first Christmas market.

With the overwhelming interest, Malkie and her team put together the first K’wese’ltken Kristmas market in less than six weeks in November 2021. It was held at the Coast Hotel in Kamloops and, due to pandemic restrictions, were only allowed 55 vendors.

“The event went over very well and was quite successful,” Malkie said. “[People] were saying, ‘we’d love if you did a second year Christmas market’ or ‘keep us on your books for if you do one next year.’”

“A unique, Indigenous atmosphere.”

Based on the success of the 2021 K’wese’ltken Kristmas, there was interest in this year’s market from the very beginning of the regular 2022 market season. The market returns to the Coast Hotel this November and had originally planned for only 58 vendors this year. Those 58 slots were filled in just two days. K’wese’ltken rented a second room at the hotel for another 30 vendors and those slots filled just as quickly. They now have over 80 registered vendors for the event.

 “It’s exciting to see the interest in growth,” Malkie said. “And the vendors and community wanting it.”

The community is brought together through music as well. There will be three musical groups performing at the market this year, offering both Christmas music and their original music. They will be replacing the traditional Indigenous drumming and performances with local musicians The Loops, Jeremy Kneeshaw, and Margit Sky Project.

“[Last year] the whole place was buzzing that whole day,” Casimir said. “People were so excited to be a part of that event.”

They hope to recreate and build on last year’s energy, with the coming together of more Indigenous and non-Indigenous vendors this year. As well as to continue the building of community and relationships.

“It’s a really nice mix of community and coming together,” Malkie said.

There is a mix between traditional, cultural vendors and modern ones showcasing a varying range of products. The atmosphere is one of warmth, welcome, and safety that attracts all ages, races, religions, and cultures as both vendors and attendees. As an example of this, Malkie shared the story of a mother and daughter entrepreneur duo who joined as vendors after attending a few markets because the daughter, who has high social anxiety, felt comfortable and safe.

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When speaking with Daniel and Arlene Gaspard, elders in the community and long-time artisans, they discussed the same friendly environment.

“[The markets are] good for visiting,” Arlene Gaspard said. “Getting to know other people, helping each other out, helping other vendors get started.”

The couple have been vendors at the K’wese’ltken market since its beginning in 2020 and have been in the artisan circles for decades, having gotten their start when looking for a source of income when raising their family on the powwow trail. As a result of this, the Gaspards are well connected in the community and are glad to be a part of the market.

The couple sells and trades authentic cultural products such as traditional medicines, moccasins, hide drums, and other beadwork and apparel. All of which they produce themselves either by growing and harvesting it, trading for it, or beading and sewing the pieces.

“It’s a money world now so we trade for money,” Daniel Gaspard said. “Or we trade different medicines or different products… There’s a lot of trade besides just cash.”

The Gaspards describe a connection between market vendors created through sharing knowledge, trading and purchasing products, and encouragement. Malkie describes the couple as ‘leaders’ at the market and says they’re a great additional to the environment.

“We always try and encourage all our vendors,” Arlene said. “Even if it’s a rainy day or cold, we try and be upbeat with them so they can all try to have a good day.”

All My Relations

The market has become known for its blend of culture, connection, and belonging. All aspects that are important to a sense of community.

“I think the importance for [the] community, both Indigenous and non, is to feel connected,” Malkie said. “Whether it’s community or each other, we need to feel belonged.”

As the market has grown, it’s become more diverse. It exhibits different traditions, skills, and products all appreciated in their own right. It has managed to maintain its humble beginnings as well as build on its buzzing atmosphere.  

 “The market becomes multicultural,” Daniel said. “There are so many different races there, just like the powwow. It’s the same atmosphere. All these different people.”

The diversity creates a friendly feeling among vendors and attendees, allowing freedom for questions and learning. Questions that vendors gladly welcome, enjoying teaching others about their culture and traditions.

“[The market] is a good place to share our knowledge with non-First Nations people,” Daniel said. “Because a lot of them ask about our product and we explain how it’s used or what we use it for… There’s a lot of things they ask us about.”

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The making of moccasins and hide drums, for example, are often asked after because of their recognition. Many people also ask about the traditional medicines that the Gaspards sell such as their sage and sweetgrass, asking where it’s from – the answer being everywhere from locally grown, to picked in Alberta and Saskatchewan – and how it’s harvested – which is answered as very carefully and only at certain times of the year, for example the sage can only be picked after the first rainfall.

The feeling of connection through learning and the sharing of culture is special to K’wese’ltken markets. It’s a place for everyone, from all backgrounds, to appreciate culture.

“K’wese’ltken translates to ‘all my relations’,” Malkie said. “I think that we’re not only connected through our bloodlines but through other ways. Whether it’s through mother earth itself, through the seasons and climate; whether it’s good times, bad times, geographically. I think there are many ways that community and individuals can be connected to each other.”