Montreal’s Indigenous Winter Market attracted around 1,000 visitors over the weekend, who came to peruse products made by around 80 artists from across Canada.
Organizers and artists alike say they hope to see this event shine a light on artists who may not have access to a spotlight for their art.
Montreal’s 2025 Indigenous Winter Market saw a new venue, more artists from around Canada, and more attendees than ever. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
The event, which ran over the weekend in the Saint-Henri borough, was organized through a partnership between the Southern Quebec Inuit Association, Montreal’s Native Friendship Centre and the Montreal Indigenous Community Network.
“It started as an Inuit market,” said Tina Pisuktie, Southern Quebec Inuit Association’s executive director, in an interview next to a Christmas tree.
The event was previously hosted in the basement of a church with only a few artists in attendance. It’s also been held at the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal, with about 20 artists.
This year the market hit a record number of artists attending, so a new location was in order. The new location in Saint-Henri can host up to 750 people and has become the hub for Southern Quebec Inuit Association events.
The core idea for these markets is to combat fake Inuit art that can be found in stores around the Old Port of Montreal, Pisuktie said.
“There was no real way in the city to buy authentic Inuit products,” she said, adding she wants people to be able to meet the Inuk behind the art.
“We want to eliminate the middleman.”
Supporting Inuit artists is part of Southern Quebec Inuit Association’s purpose as a non-profit organization.
“We should always support the community in as many ways as we can,” Pisutkie said.
Jennifer Qupanuaq May makes earrings out of caribou antlers that she cuts herself, then applies a resin with her signature glitter mixed with it. It is her second year as a vendor for the Indigenous Winter Market.
She said she learned antler carving from Winnipeg artist Goota Ashoona, and the antlers come from her brother and father, who hunt. She also bought her own antler saw from Facebook Marketplace.
“A big part of it is self-expression,” she said in an interview at her booth. “A lot of our healing comes from our self-expression.”
The Indigenous Winter Market is an opportunity for Inuit artists to be recognized for their artistic endeavours, Qupanuaq May said, but also helps them make connections with other artists and learn different techniques.
“I think Inuit artistry should be a bigger industry,” she said.
“Not only because it is healing, but also because we need more economic development in Nunavik.”
