Cree-owned 'Wachiya' store selling Indigenous arts and crafts in Old Montreal

A new Cree-owned shop has opened in Old Montreal, showcasing products made by northern Quebec Cree artists and craftspeople. 

The store, Wachiya — which means "hello" in Cree — has been an online retailer in recent years. There also used to be a shop in Val-d'Or, Que., that closed in the '90s.

The new Montreal location will allow people to shop around inside and learn about Eeyou Istchee and Cree culture. 

"Having the Wachiya store, I feel like it opens up that connection to people and to educate people that we are here," said Paula Menarick, who is Cree and Inuk from Chisasibi, Que. 

Menarick is one of the many artists from across Eeyou Istchee who sell their crafts at the Wachiya store, which officially opened its doors on Aug 8. 

"We're from Eeyou Istchee, we practice our culture, we love our culture, we're proud, we want to share it with everyone," said Menarick, who is also the owner of Fast Cloud Inspirations.

The small, street-level Wachiya store is located in Old Montreal at 79 Rue Saint-Paul E., and is owned and operated by Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association (CNACA). 

The store sells tamarack birds, wooden canoe paddles, moosehide moccasins, beaded earrings, among many other traditionally handmade items. Prices can range from $25 dollars to $500.  

Dale Cooper, a Cree from Oujé-Bougoumou who serves as the executive director of CNACA, believes there are a lot of misconceptions, but also a lot of curiosity, about Indigenous culture. 

He thinks there's been a shift in recent years, with more people recognizing how important Indigenous cultures are to Canada.

"They're curious about our culture and they want to learn more. Now we do have that space now to educate them," said Cooper.

"As soon as you walk in, it smells amazing. It kind of reminds you of being back home being in the bush." 

The scent is as beautiful as the store setup, according to Cooper. 

"It does look somewhat like a museum, a gallery space. But in other ways there are some cultural elements. Everything in there is all authentically Cree and handmade," he said.

Cooper said that since the store opened last month, people have come in with many questions, like where Eeyouch are from, how traditional items are made, and others. 

"Some customers feel uncomfortable wearing Indigenous stuff. We want to show them that there's cultural appreciation versus appropriation," said Cooper. 

Artists like Menarick are more than happy to share beadwork crafts with anybody who want to wear them.

"Anybody can wear my beadwork. So that's cultural appreciation and supporting Native artists. Any crafts I make, it's appropriate for anyone to wear and have," said Menarick. 

Menarick said that sacred items such as pipe bags, medicine bundle bags and other items that are meant for traditional ceremony, she would only make and sell to Indigenous peoples. 

"I wouldn't sell those to just anyone because they're very special. They have a meaning," said Menarick. 

Menarick has yet to visit the Montreal shop to see her items on the shelves. She's pleased to know that her products could reach even more people through the Wachiya shop.  

"People in Montreal are all from all over the world. And I think that's pretty cool and neat how a little piece of Cree culture can go out to anywhere In the world now," said Menarick

While the main focus at Wachiya is to showcase Cree artists and culture, there is also a section dedicated to the work of Mohawk artists. 

Cooper said that the store is also looking into hosting workshops for people to learn beadwork, embroidery, among other things. 

He said it's important to pass down that knowledge to the next generation. 

"These arts and crafts get passed down because that's how we've managed to retain our culture for centuries," said Cooper.