Indigenous Craft Fair December 7!

Indigenous Craft Fair Features Local Native American Artisans

Saturday, December 7 from Noon-3pm at Flathead Valley Community College

Native American artistry is the centerpiece of the Indigenous Craft Fair at Flathead Valley Community College this season! Local craftspeople are bringing their handiwork from all over the Flathead Valley for a holiday bazaar full of unique items that are only available for one day.

Claire Charlo (Bitterroot Salish) is organizing the event with the support of Love Lives Here and the Montana American Indian Scholars (MAIS) program at Flathead Valley Community College. Handmade items on sale include beadwork purses, pens, and earrings, plus quilts, paintings, cards, and more. “There are so many talented people in this area who are bringing their work to the fair,” said Charlo. “Some of them are recognized around the state for their artistic skills, and we’re fortunate to have so many of them coming to this event.”

The Indigenous Craft Fair was initiated by Charlo after she was a panelist at an educational event about missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) in Kalispell on May 5. Love Lives Here reached out to Charlo after the event to find out how best to follow up on such a difficult, tragic topic.

“I said that I wanted to do something empowering,” said Charlo. "I think it is important to bring awareness to critical issues like murdered and missing Indigenous people. It is a topic that weighs heavily on the hearts and minds of the families with missing and murdered loved ones. It is also important for Indigenous people to be able to express their creativity through art. Having an Indigenous craft fair is a positive way to share our culture and ancestry."

Love Lives Here will be taking donations at the event for a racial justice fund that will be used to support MMIW vigils and search efforts for missing Indigenous people in our area.

There are still spaces available for vendors. Please reserve a booth by contacting Love Lives Here in the Flathead Valley via email at info@loveliveshereflathead.org or Facebook. There is no fee for a vending space, but registration is requested to make sure enough tables are available.