Native American Market flourishes in East Portland

This year’s event was their largest ever! Check out some of the offerings at this unique marketplace …

As the “Native American Marketplace” at Mt. Scott Community Center, the large meeting room buzzes with activity.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

For the fifth consecutive year, the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day marked the “Native American Marketplace”, hosted by Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) at the Mt. Scott Community Center

The large meeting room was filled with tables – some of them spilled out into the adjoining hallways, on November 25 – all laden with crafts for sale.

Volunteer Nahela Yazzie and event organizer Cheryl Juber spend a moment with JC Aguirre Aguirre and Lorna Fast Buffalo Horse from La Tierra Jewelry – all members of the Tarahumara Dine tribe.

“We’ve almost double the number of vendors that we’ve had in the past, and unfortunately we’ve had to turn a couple away,” reported the coordinator, also the PP&R administrator and staff to the Native American Community Advisory Council, Cheryl Juber.

“This helps our vendors make connections with the community, as well as sell their crafts,” Juber told East Portland News. “And, it’s great to see the community come and do some Holiday shopping here, giving support to these crafters.”

Navajo tribe member Lorena Bull (seated, left) of WindFeathers Creations offers her goods in the marketplace.

At the “family table”, Christine Kamps helps Carter Camps make jewelry.

In addition to hosting the marketplace, Juber said it’s also an important outreach for the Parks Bureau to the Native American community. “We let them know that we have great facilities and great opportunities for the whole family.”

The vendor fees from the marketplace go to support the “Bow & Arrow Archery Club”, which sponsors the Delta Park Powwow on Father’s Day weekend each year, Juber commented.

Matt Ruff, known as “Matt Ruff, The Ringer, 2-Bit Rings” from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz turns quarters into finger rings – on the spot.

It was clear that, with 30 tables set out with merchandise of all kinds, this gathering has turned into a marketplace in the truest sense.

>> On our Front Page: Deanna Wohlgemuth, of the Cherokee Nation, offers her sparkling creations, sold under the brand name “Rock On Jewelry”.

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