KITCHENER — Charity Neuert and Georgina Ekencrantz stood at their Urban Bead Kin tent under Saturday’s warm sun, with their colourful, beaded jewelry shining in front of them.

The sisters were among about 42 vendors who participated in the I Am Kitchener Indigenous Art Market at 44 Gaukel St.

“We love this Kitchener market, it’s amazing and everyone is so friendly,” said Neuert.

Beading started as a hobby for Neuert’s daughter and Ekencrantz.

Unaware that she was the creator, Ekencrantz said people started asking “Where did you get your earring?”

Now the three of them make earrings and sell them at vendor markets and events.

“We like to share our creativity,” said Neuert, who started beading as a form of healing.

Alanah Jewell, a local Indigenous artist, organized the event to make cultural art more accessible to people in the area. The market featured items such as earrings, paintings, prints and T-shirts.

She did not organize during the height of the pandemic, but now Jewell said she wants to run the market every three or four months at different venues.

Previous events were held at the Kitchener Farmer’s Market and the Huron Natural Area.

Jewell’s friend came up with the initial idea to get Indigenous artists together at the now-closed Old Sesame previously at 220 King St. W. in Kitchener, with the turnout starting off very small.

“It was my first vendor experience and my first time selling art in person,” said Jewell, which sparked her interest in organizing a market herself.

“I want something in the city that everyone can go to. It’s not exclusive to just Indigenous people, but everyone can come support,” said Jewell.

“I wanted Indigenous vendors to feel like they can belong and sell their work in mainstream spaces.”

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