The Kweseltken Farmers' and Artisan Market is a new initiative aiming at supporting First Nations and Indigenous growers, producers and artisans, says George Casimir. He's the general manager at the Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC of CIFN), an organization focused on Indigenous economic development from Bridge River to Splatsin to Spuzzum.
"Kweseltken is the Secwepemc word for relatives," he explains to Castanet. "What we all want to do is bring all the relatives in the Secwepemc nation under one roof."
"Our membership has always wanted something like this, to really bring their goods and crafts and really showcase what they can do," he adds.
The market will be Sundays (starting Aug. 2) at the Kamloops Powwow Arbour, featuring locally crafted, grown and produced items by Indigenous business people (or partnerships). Casimir believes it's the first of its kind in B.C. with the First Nations focus.
The first market opens at 8 a.m. at 345 Powwow Tr.—the Kamloops Powwow Arbour—and runs to 2 p.m. Entrance is free for shoppers. It’ll continue to run every Sunday until the end of September. For more information, email the CFDC of CIFN at info@cfdcofcifn.com.
Info from Castanet: https://www.castanet.net/news/Kamloops/306328/New-farmers-market-launching-with-focus-on-First-Nations-growers-crafters
