REGINA - Those arriving off their flights at Regina international Airport this week will be greeted by works from several Indigenous artisans on hand there.
A pop-up Indigenous Artisan Market is taking place at the airport on June 19 and 20 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day. Parking is free of charge for those visiting the artisan market. The event coincides with National Indigenous People’s Day which happens June 21.
This is the first time the Regina airport has hosted this sort of Indigenous Artisan Market, which was something they wanted to do as a way to show their commitment to reconciliation in Canada. It was organized by Regina Airport Authority in conjunction with Newo Yotina Friendship Centre and Canada Border Services Agency.
Justin Reves, Director of Revenue development, Public Relations and Customer Experience with Regina Airport Authority, said this event builds on a limited-scale effort done last year.
“Last year we had started on a bit of a smaller scale — not necessarily a market, but in partnership with local organizations we were raising some funds doing orange shirt pins, cookies, a little bit of a fundraiser, and we talked about wanting to build on that,” he said.
About a dozen artists are on hand this week, showing various items for sale including ribbon skirts, beads, paintings and other works. Bannock and cookies were also available.
The artisan market formally launched with a media event on Monday morning featuring performances from Indigenous dancers, as well as remarks from Regina Airport Authority CEO James Bogusz and airport officials. In his speech Bogusz urged people to come down and show their support to the Indigenous artisans by purchasing their items.
"This airport is a proud home of so many, and we have such a rich Indigenous culture here in the province, that it's time we started demonstrating some of that here at YQR," Bogusz said.
Appearing at the event was Norma Baker-Flying Horse, whose native given name is Red Berry Woman. She is a Grammy-award winning artist who runs a fashion line under the Red Berry Woman name, which focused on incorporating Indigenous fashion into contemporary styles.
Flying Horse, who is based out of North Dakota, has lineage to the Hidatsa, Dakota Sioux and Assiniboine tribes. In speaking to reporters, she noted the importance of having an artisan market such as this one.
“It’s events like this that are really helping Indigenous people get into spaces that we need to be to educate those around us who have really limited knowledge about history of indigenous people of Canada, the indigenous people of the States,” Flying Horse said.
Flying Horse also pointed out that she had ancestors that had come from Canada, and this is where her bloodline draws to. She pointed to the recognition by the airport that bloodlines of Indigenous people cross international borders, with family located on both sides.
“So to see something like this where it is acknowledged that’s important to ensure that travel back-and-forth is done safely and adequately, and with respect to the items which are carried back-and-forth, is wonderful. It really sets a precedent, I’m hoping, for others to do the same as well.”
The tables for the artisan market were set up in the arrivals area nearby the baggage carousels, so the artisans were in prime position to promote their art and culture to all visitors arriving in Regina as well as those coming to pick up passengers.
Reves said that with the location of the Indigenous artisan market within the airport, “we think it’s really special with all the travellers coming in from so many different places, as well as just so much of the community. With over 1 million passengers a year, we want to have more representation in the airport. It’s great to have it here in the arrivals terminal, both for passengers arriving as well as those meeters and greeters coming to pick people up.”
He adds with the airport being located on Treaty 4 territory and with the stories of the Indigenous people located there, it was important to have that represented within the airport. “It’s important to show it off to all the people who are coming here.”
