New Westminster, BC – Shop First Nations, Arts New West, and Native Art Renaissance are proud to co-host the 4th Annual New West Craft Indigenous Market on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 11AM to 5 PM, at 810 Quayside Drive along the boardwalk and inside River Market.
This free, family-friendly event will showcase over 70 Indigenous artists, makers, and entrepreneurs, representing First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities across British Columbia and beyond. Guests can look forward to an inspiring day of culture, creativity, and connection, featuring everything from handmade jewelry, art, and home décor to fashion, food, and live performances.
Economic Reconciliation in Action
“We are proud to once again partner with Arts New West to create opportunities for Indigenous businesses,” says Rob Schulz, President of Shop First Nations. “This event demonstrates how Canadians and community organizations can contribute to economic reconciliation and help grow the Indigenous economy — in support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92.”
Whether you’re a returning supporter or new to the market, join us for an unforgettable day along the beautiful Fraser River. Meet the makers, enjoy Indigenous performances and cuisine, and help celebrate the innovation, talent, and resilience of Indigenous entrepreneurs.
New West Craft Indigenous Market in front of River Market, New Westminster, BC – vendor tents, artists, and attendees celebrating Indigenous culture and craftsmanship.
Significance of the Number Four
This year’s market marks our fourth annual celebration, and we honour the cultural meaning of the number four in many Indigenous traditions — representing the four directions, four seasons, four sacred medicines, and four stages of life. In this spirit, we recognize the importance of balance, renewal, and community, and we thank everyone who has supported this event through its four-year journey.
Cultural performance at the New West Craft Indigenous Market in New Westminster, BC
Cultural Host: Elder Xem-Tu-Mus
We are honoured to welcome Elder Xem-Tu-Mus (Stephen Armstrong) as our Elder and Cultural Host. Stephen will open the event with traditional words of welcome and offer territorial and cultural context throughout the day. As a respected Elder and cultural guide, Stephen brings meaningful insight and ensures our gathering upholds Indigenous values of protocol, storytelling, and community.
Event Details:
📅 Saturday, June 7, 2025
🕚 11am–5pm
📍 River Market & Westminster Quay Boardwalk (810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster)
💸 Free to attend
Event Highlights:
- Live DJ sets spinning throughout the afternoon
- Drumming and dancing performances (12pm–1pm)
- Storytelling inside the Spirit of the Children Society Tipi (11am–4pm)
- Indigenous food from Tradish food truck and Westcoast Bannock
- Debut Indigenous Fashion Show at 1pm on the boardwalk, spotlighting over 30 Indigenous designers and makers
Handcrafted Indigenous jewelry by Andee Jasper, artisan creations from Dark Laydee Designs
Stars of the North Drum Group performing at the New West Craft Indigenous Market.
Stay connected with updates and highlights from the Indigenous Market on Instagram
Indigenous-Led Vendor Selection Committee
This year’s vendor lineup has been carefully curated by our all-Indigenous Vendor Selection Committee, a group of community members, artists, and entrepreneurs who volunteer their time to ensure a fair, authentic, and diverse marketplace experience.
The 2025 Selection Committee includes:
- Francesca – Ojibwe entrepreneur and founder of Sweetgrass Soap
- James Groening (Blue Sky) – Indigenous Curator, Woodland artist, and founder of Native Art Renaissance Foundation
- Diane Sugars – Founder of Whale Song Consultants, supporting Indigenous non-profits through advisory and leadership
- Rob Schulz – Métis entrepreneur and founder of Shop First Nations, supporting Indigenous business through e-commerce and digital storytelling
Sponsorship Opportunities
Want to support Indigenous culture, entrepreneurship, and community connection? We invite corporate and community sponsors to collaborate with us. Download the sponsorship package here:
👉 Download 2025 Sponsor Package
For updates and vendor spotlights, follow @shopfirstnations, @newwestcraft, and @nativeartrenaissance or RSVP to our Facebook event.
Media Contacts for New West Craft Indigenous Market
Laura Grady
Executive Director, Arts New West
programs@artsnewwest.ca
Rob Schulz
President, Shop First Nations
info@shopfirstnations.com
About Shop First Nations
Shop First Nations is an Indigenous-owned digital platform seeking to enable Reconciliation through impactful consumer purchasing, e-commerce and digital marketing, and education initiatives. Our mission is to support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses by encouraging consumers to invest in Indigenous goods and services, and supporting such businesses in the digital economy while honoring the Truth and Reconciliation 94 Calls to action.
You can follow Shop First Nations on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
About Arts New West
Founded in 1967, Arts New West is a community arts organization built by artists and arts groups who share an interest in visual, performing, and literary arts. The organization’s role in the community is to advocate for the arts and foster support for those engaging in artistic and cultural endeavors.
You can follow Arts New West on Instagram and Facebook.
