Native-Owned Farmers Markets
It’s National Farmers Market Week August 5 -11 and tribes and tribal producers are no strangers to the farm-to-table movement with tribal farmers markets established throughout Indian Country.
On the White Mountain Apache Reservation in the high mountain desert of eastern Arizona, Ndée Bikíyaa, which translates to the Peoples’ Farm in Apache, sells onions, garlic and other select tribally-grown produce at a farmers market they set up at the local grocery store parking lot the first and third Fridays of the month.
Produce displayed at the Apache Harvest Festival. // Photo courtesy of Ndée Bikíyaa, The Peoples’ Farm
“We sell in the parking lot hoping to catch people with our local, high-quality fruits and vegetables before they go into the grocery store,” said Clayton Harvey, farm manager and tribal member. “We are really committed to serving our community.”
Though the farm has been hit a bit by the drought this year, like many producers across the country, Harvey says he’s looking forward to offering a larger variety of produce at the Apache Harvest Festival hosted by the farm on August 31.
The festival, now in its sixth year, features traditional Apache foods and new twists on preparation, such as acorn stew and corn mush made with frozen berries and agave syrup to sweeten the drink and add flavor instead of using deer or cow lining.
The Ndée Bikíyaa Farmer’s Market is located in the Basha’s parking lot in Whiteriver, Arizona, and runs from 10 a.m. to about 1 p.m. from June to mid-September or October, depending on the first frost.
More information also can be seen on the farm’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ndeebikiyaathepeoplesfarm.
Other tribal farmers markets:
Oneida Farmer’s Market in Wisconsin
The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin’s market, located about 6 miles west of Green Bay, starts June 21 and is open every Thursday until October 4.
https://oneida-nsn.gov/resources/oneida-community-integrated-food-systems/farmers-market
Choctaw Fresh Produce in Mississippi
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians operates the Choctaw Farmers’ Market off Highway 16 West in the Pearl River Community from June through October.
www.choctaw.org/government/tribalServices/health/wic/farmersMarket.html
www.facebook.com/choctawfreshproduce
Native Farmer’s Market in Michigan:
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, runs its market from June 7 to October.
www.sagchip.org/news.aspx?newsid=354#.W2iRJyhKiUk
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Some people are slowing down their travel as the weather changes, but some smart travelers know this is a GREAT time to visit Native American destinations. The shopping this time of year is unparalleled. To buy local and to buy authentic, Native American holiday art markets are the perfect venue to find special holiday gifts and support the work of regional tribal community’s unique artists.
Events such as these are an amazing showcase of handmade authentic arts. One may find the work of nationally acclaimed artists and up and coming new talent. You have the opportunity to meet them and learn more about their work, making the market event more memorable than a trip to a gift shop. If you can’t travel to the markets, some offer the opportunity to attend online. In addition to the vendors themselves, some markets present performing artists’ showcases, dancing and drumming demonstrations and opportunities to sample Native American food delicacies and fun festival foods.
Miccosukee Indian Arts and Crafts Festival, where Native American culture comes alive in a three-day gathering of music, arts and entertainment in the heart of the Florida Everglades at the historic Miccosukee Indian Village festival grounds. www.miccosukee.com/artsandcrafts
Owens Valley Paiute Cultural Center Holiday Market indoor/outdoor arts and crafts fair has something for everyone, including handmade items, raffles, great food, and family games and more. Santa might even visit! www.parks.ca.gov
Find unique local gifts for the people on your list at the Aluqiiq Museum Holiday Bazaar. Gerry Cobban Knagin, Sophie Frets, Michele George, Susan Malutin, Bruce Nelson, Gayla Pedersen, Hanna Sholl, Mariah Stapleton, Stacy Studebaker, and the Native Village of Afognak will sell directly to customers.
Ho’omau Hawai’i Market is a premier shopping event that features local small businesses who will be selling unique, fashionable and modern products, showcasing elements of Native Hawaiian and local culture through their items. There will be vendors from across the Hawaiian Islands participating. www.hoomauhawaiimarket.com/
The Santa Fe Community College’s Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair and Institute of American Indian Art’s Holiday Art Market will both be held on December 10. The campuses are only a six-minute drive or an 11-minute bike ride apart. IAIA will feature the work from a variety of Indigenous artists. www.iaia.edu/holiday-art-market
Join the Wabanaki Winter Market for a holiday gathering of Wabanaki artists featuring Maine Indian Basketmakers’ Alliance weavers who have received national awards and new artists representing the next generation of weavers. www.umaine.edu/wabanaki-winter-market/
The Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary Indian Market two-day market features over 200 top Native American artists with paintings, sculptures, jewelry, baskets and much more. Enjoy traditional Native American delicacies, including Hopi piki bread and Tohono O’odham tepary beans. Music and dance performances artist demonstrations and a children’s craft area. www.pueblogrande.org/45th-annual-indian-market
The Native American Artist Sale at the Historic Preservation Culture Museum will feature beadwork, paintings, woodworking, baskets, moccasins, mittens and more! www.menominee-nsn.gov
One event and two locations! The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian annual Native Art Markets feature works by more than 30 Award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists at each site. Join this unique opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks—including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture. www.americanindian.si.edu/calendar
Over 50 of the best First American artists in the country will be participating at the First Americans Museum Winter Holiday Art Market Invitational. Artists and vendors will be participating on both levels of the museum. www.store.famok.org/holiday-art-market
Southwestern Association for Indian Arts Santa Fe Winter Indian Market Over 150 SWAIA-juried artists are joining in this festive event at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center! Alongside our artist booths, we’re excited to host live performances, an in-person Silent Auction, and an exciting raffle! www.swaia.org/wim22/
Oneida Native Arts Program Native Holiday Market is held at the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. The market features Native American artists and craftsmen. Shop for unique fine art, jewelry, beadwork, baskets, or Native fashion and accessories. www.oneida-nsn.gov/arts-program
Native American Studies Center Winter Art & Craft Sale at the University of South Carolina. Held in conjunction with Christmas in the City, shop for jewelry, Catawba pottery, baskets, quilts, and more one-of-a-kind artwork at the seventh annual winter Native American Art and Craft Sale! Artist-in-Residence Nancy Basket will demonstrate basket making during the day. www.sc.edu/lancester/NAS
The Native American Christmas Market features original arts and crafts, paintings and sewing creations. Browse handmade, traditional clothing like Seminole patchwork skirts, ribbon shirts, silver and turquoise jewelry, one-of-a-kind beadwork and more. Enjoy fresh Indian tacos, spirit soup, fry bread, meat pies, barbecue and pumpkin pecan muffins. www.travelok.com/listings
Stop by our annual Alaska Native Heritage Center Holiday Bazaar to purchase work from dozens of artists. Free photo session for families and individuals to receive headshots or photos in regalia from a professional photographer. www.alaskanative.net/holiday-bazaar
Ute Indian Museum Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival connects the past with contemporary Ute life and culture. Annual arts festival showcasing Native American and area artists. Free museum entry! Silent auction, fry bread, and all the holiday trimmings! www.historycolorado.org/holiday-arts-and-crafts-festival
This list is hardly comprehensive. It is so exciting to see such a remarkable explosion of creativity. Check out the lists of more events at First American Art Magazine at www.firstamericanartmagazine.com and list yours there too! Also check out the listed by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board at www.doi.gov/indian-art-markets and note this is another great site for free listings for authentic Indian arts. Contact us if you would like to be added mborwit@aianta.org.
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When attendees gather in Oklahoma this summer at the only national conference on tribal tourism in the U.S., they will also have the opportunity to explore some of Oklahoma’s most notable tribal tourism destinations.
Two Mobile Workshops will be offered the morning of Monday, September 16, 2019, before the start of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association’s (AIANTA) 21st annual American Indian Tourism Conference at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
Available only to AITC delegates, the programs will visit the heart of the Cherokee Nation and Chickasaw Country.
Mobile Workshop #1: Cherokee Nation History Tour
Monday, September 16, 2019
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; $60
Cherokee Nation Capitol Building // credit: Cherokee NationExplore the storied history of the Cherokee People, in the company of Cherokee tour guide, and witness the perseverance of a people who rebuilt and flourished following the forced removal, known as the Trail of Tears.
The tour will visit the Cherokee Nation Capital city of Tahlequah, Oklahoma’s oldest incorporated town, and includes a stop at the new Cherokee National History Museum, which is opening this summer.
Cherokee Nation History Mobile Workshop
Mobile Workshop #2: Chickasaw Cultural Center
Monday, September 16, 2019
7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; $60
Chickasaw Cultural Center // (c) Chickasaw CountryVisit the world-class Chickasaw Cultural Center, one of the largest tribal cultural centers in the United States, and form a close connection with the Chickasaw culture. Don’t miss the First Encounter Documentary, which portrays the actions taken by the Chickasaw that proved to be the catalyst for the dwindling of Hernando de Soto’s mission for gold and riches in America during the late 1530s and early 40s.
During the tour, you’ll also visit nationally recognized Bedré Fine Chocolate, the only tribally owned chocolatier in the country.
Chickasaw Cultural Center Mobile Workshop
Explore Tulsa Excursion
Sunday, September 15, 2019
10 a.m.-6 p.m. $10
In addition to the two mobile workshops, AITC participants may also purchase an Explore Tulsa Pass for $10, which includes roundtrip shuttle transportation between the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino & Tulsa all day long on Sunday, September 15, 2019.
Explore Tulsa Excursion
Register Now
Click here to register for the American Indian Tourism Conference and be sure to select your preferred Mobile Workshop option.
About AIANTA
For more than two decades, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the national center for providing tourism and recreational travel technical assistance, training and capacity building to American Indian nations. AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit association of Native American tribes and tribal businesses and was incorporated in 2002 to advance Indian Country tourism. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian and Alaska Native tourism that honors traditions and values.
Images courtesy of Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw County and Visit Tulsa.
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