Artisans take center stage

Page 6

The National Native Show and Sale of Canadian Arts and Crafts moved from Calgary to Edmonton and continued its success Nov. 20 to 22.

Particularly noticeable this year was the increased number of exhibitors from B.C., two from Whitehorse and three from the N.W.T.

Colleen Bence, the director of administration and finance for the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society (AIACS) which sponsors the show each year, informed Windspeaker that Calgary had 31 exhibitors while Edmonton had 47. The actual number of booths in Edmonton, explained Bence was 74. But, because some exhibitors use more than one, the figure is misleading.

Some felt a bit cheated this year due to the fine weather Edmonton has had. Sales of parkas, mukluks, mitts and fur hats were down appreciably said some booth managers.

Staff of the Indian Craft Shop booth from Yellowknife said parka sales were very poor this year because there was not snow. "Last year, we couldn't keep up," they added.

For Yukon Native Products of Whitehorse, it was a different story. Manager Kathy Birckel said their parkas moved very well as did moccasins, mittens and small beadcraft. They even had to send out for more parkas because they sold so many in Calgary explained Bence.

However, not everyone was so lucky. Naomi Himech from Houston, B.C. said her hand-knit sweaters did not move well but she plans to return next year. Himech says she rushed into participating this year but thinks she can do better with proper planning and a greater variety of goods.

Although all wholesale orders are not in yet, AIACS claims that $300,000 of business conducted just in Edmonton adding that, "in retail alone, we got almost $250,000 in Calgary never mind wholesale."

Certain items moved better than others according to a brief survey conducted by Windspeaker. The response from most booths was that moccasins, silver and turquoise jewellery, mittens, inexpensive beadcraft, rawhide hand drums and art prints sold best.

Calgary also proved to move artwork better but Edmonton sales were adequate and, according to Hal Lethbridge of the Art Loft from Peterborough, Ontario, the larger pieces sold in Edmonton.

Lethbridge added that most Edmonton sales were in cash or by cheque while transactions in Calgary were mainly with plastic (credit/bank cards).

The Methitowin craftspeople from Athabasca/Rocky Mountain House was really impressed with how well their earring kits sold. The kits are a "how to" product which uses porcupine quills and beads to make earrings.

Yet another popular item were the Little Reed River books from Fox Lake, a northern Alberta fly-in community. The first part of the books was on "how to" stories about making snowshoes, fires, etc. The latter part of the books contain Cree legends in the English language at a Grade 2 level.

Two booths sold sweetgrass which drew sharp criticism from Native traditionalists and customers. Susan Jacknife complained bitterly saying that sweetgrass is "sacred" and should not be a saleable product. Such items, she stated, are not supposed to change hands with cash being involved. That is not "traditional" nor is it "customary."

Despite the shortcomings the show attracted a steady stream of customers with an estimated 18,000 in Edmonton and 15,000 in Calgary. The Edmonton show reflected a professionalism, " a touch of class" with its colorful decor and ample space in a fine facility and both customers and exhibitors expressed great pleasure with the venue at the beautiful Convention Centre.