Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

KWESELTKEN FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKET

New farmer’s and artisan’s market meant to make you feel like family

Aug 10, 2020 | 1:19 PM

KAMLOOPS — Sunday was the Grand Opening of a brand new farmer’s and artisan’s market in Kamloops. The event is a partnership between the Community Futures Development Corporation of the Central Interior First Nations and the Thompson-Okanagan Tourism Association, meant to give space for indigenous farmers and artisans to see the items they produce.

“I manage Central Interior First Nations Community Futures, but I’m also a farmer. It’s really fun to get up in the morning and get all the chores done.”

Maybe that’s why George Casimir and the team at the Community Futures Development Corporation of the Central Interior First Nations started the brand new Kweseltken Farmers and Artisans Market- held at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Powwow Arbour. According to Casimir, the market will help with the economic and cultural loss of the Powwow weekend.

“Usually, there are about 12,000-13,000 people here over the powwow weekend, on any given day,” Casimir says. “Sage Hills [drummers] came out last weekend, and they drummed some songs. It was just beautiful. It brought back those great memories of Kamloopa Powwow.”

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On Powwow weekend, Lucy Jules and the Bannock Buddies sell an incredible amount of the tasty, fried bread.

“Around 5,000,” Lucy Jules told CFJC Today.

Jules was happy to be providing a delicious breakfast to the hungry market-goers. However, she says there’s no way the Bannock Shack can recoup the revenues lost after the powwow was cancelled.

“Well, we’re spreading the love, for sure, with the bannock and everything,” Jules said. “As for recouping the cash we’re losing out on? We’ll never make that much.”

“With COVID-19, it’s really hurt us,” McIntyre explained. “We were scrambling.”

Jack McIntyre is a farmer from just outside of Lytton. He had the bounty of the land on display Sunday morning – not only his farm but also the valley around his property. One of the new market goals is to highlight Indigenous growers and artisans in the Secwepemc territory.

“The black raspberry is from the mountains. The cherry syrup is from our trees. The sxusem, or soapberries, that’s from the mountains, as well,” McIntyre told CFJC Today.

The Kweseltken Farmers and Artisans Market is open to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous vendors will be held Sundays from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm at the Arbour, until September 27.