Robbie Louis is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in arts and Indigenous language proficiency at UVic.
Next year, his cohort is going on a cultural exchange program in New Zealand as part of their course.
Louis is heading to Hawaii for his.
"I'm excited. I thought, we're close to the holidays and people need help and I figured what better way for them to help me and I in turn, help them as well."
This was the idea behind the Christmas Craft Market.
'It's a fundraiser for me to go to Hawaii in March 2025," said the 35-year-old WSANEC First Nation undergrad. “At the same time, it is an opportunity to invite various Indigenous craft makers to the market where they get to show off their beautiful work.”
The market features an assortment of Christmas decors, bags, toys, trinkets, fabrics, paintings and woodwork art by Indigenous artists including Dahlila Charlie who is an artist in residence with School District 62. She spends her time there teaching kids about Coast Salish shapes and how to draw them.
Outside of her work with the school, she gets commissioned to paint murals around the Greater Victoria Area. In her spare time, she loves participating in craft markets.
“It's about community and it's also about building connections,” Charlie said. “Craft markets like this one offer artists and people who do crafts a place to sell their artwork.”
With over 30 vendors selling a variety of handmade Indigenous products, the Christmas Craft Market returns on Dec. 8 from 10:30 a.m. at Pauquachin Hall at 9010 W. Saanich Road.
Vendors who are interested in showcasing their work can still reserve a table by emailing rvmlouis@icloud.com.
