5 Places to Buy Indigenous Art in Vancouver
byThis article is from 2014. For updated resources try these links: Indigenous Gift Guide for Shopping Local, Gift Guide: Gift Ideas from Indigenous Businesses, Indigenous Tourism BC App, Indigenous Cultural Centres in Southern BC
When it comes to gifts from your hometown you can’t get any more local than a beautifully designed piece crafted by First Nations artists, as the city of Vancouver sits on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Thanks to input from Aboriginal BC Tourism, I have a list of the places to find these authentic and one-of-a-kind gifts:
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
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Location: 639 Hornby St, Vancouver
Shop Details: You will find a selection of original works and prints by local Northwest Coast artists, distinctive jewelry, accessories, books, cards and more. The Gallery Gift Shop is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. They are able to ship orders within North America and overseas.
Skwachàys Lodge
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Location: 29/31 West Pender, Vancouver
Shop Details: Skwachàys Lodge offers the Urban Aboriginal Fair Trade Gallery, which showcases Aboriginal artists from across Canada and features jewelry, hats, art cards, clothing, rattles, bentwood boxes, and other items. The gallery shop is open Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm; Saturday and Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm.
Museum of Anthropology
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Location: 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver (UBC)
Shop Details: The MOA Shop presents a unique collection of works in silver and gold from the Northwest Coast, the American Southwest, Mexico, and South America. Other items available include sculptures and carvings, accessories and clothing, textiles and beadwork, educational toys for kids, home and office gifts. You can also pick up Edible British Columbia items like Musqueam honey, preserves and jams from the Fraser Valley, Salt Spring Salmon products, Salish Sea Chocolate, and try our MOA chocolate squares. Visit the shop daily between 10:00am and 5:00pm, or until 9:00pm on Tuesdays. The MOA is closed Mondays from October to May. Stop by for the Winter Art Market until December 24th.
Cedar Root Gallery
Website
Location: Located inside the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre
(1607 E Hastings St, Vancouver)
Shop Details: The Cedar Root Gallery is a Native owned small retail business that has been serving the Urban Vancouver Aboriginal Community for over ten years. It is stocked with some of the best and most authentic West Coast Native artwork in Vancouver. Sacred masks, wall plaques, sterling silver Northwest Coast carved jewellery lots of other First Nations gift items.
Khot-la-cha Art Gallery and Gift Shop
Website
Location: 270 Whonoak Street, North Vancouver
Shop Details: A second-generation First Nations owned and operated business, located on Capilano Reserve, the Khot-la-cha gallery offers traditional and contemporary Aboriginal artwork and crafts, plus masks, prints, gold and silver jewelry, wood carvings, textiles and clothing.
Most importantly, look for shops that sell Authentic Indigenous products. This is an initiative aimed at promoting and supporting authentic Indigenous artworks in the retail and wholesale marketplace. With this program, you’re always sure that the keepsake, gift or unique present you’ve purchased is a true Aboriginal cultural work of art.
Read about more themed gift ideas in my Vancouver Gift Guide series.
