Unique gifts found at ‘Native American Marketplace’

See some of the distinctive merchandise offered at this year’s event, held at the Mt. Scott Community Center …

Bustling with activity is the “Native American Marketplace”, again held in outer East Portland.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

As has become their custom, the “Native American Marketplace” was again held on the third Saturday of November – this year, on November 23, on the weekend before Thanksgiving Day – at the Mt. Scott Community Center, in the Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood.

Shoppers celebrated Oregon’s indigenous cultures at the marketplace, which was held during Native American Heritage Month. Vendors offered beautiful handmade native beadwork, sterling silver jewelry, and other handiwork.

Grandkids Halia and Nahelia help the event’s organizer, Sheryl Juber.

“We started this many years ago to engage our native community in our recreational programs,” remarked Sheryl Juber, semi-retired from Portland Parks & Recreation, and now on the Native American Community Advisory Council.

“Here today, we have 32 vendors from as far away as Arizona; and again this year, we’ve had to turn away vendors, because it’s become such a popular event,” Juber told East Portland News.

Hugh Ahnatook, of the Inupiet tribe, represents Sacred Waters Fish Company, selling native-caught and processed fish at the marketplace.

A member of the Yurok tribe, Pamela Brooks, shows a necklace from RRB Native Jewelry.

“There’s a little of everything being sold here, from handcrafted jewelry to clothing, to photographic prints – and, new this year, we have salmon from the northern shores of Washington,” pointed out Juber.

In addition to helping folks do some Holiday shopping and giving Native American crafters an outlet for their creations, “this is a good opportunity for people to discover that many of these vendors are our neighbors; and, that there are many of our indigenous people living right here in the community,” Juber said.

Cooking fry bread to make “Indian Tacos” is Toni Matt, vice president of the Bow & Arrow Culture Club.

Vendor table fees and sales of food and were again donated t the Bow & Arrow Culture Club, to help them produce their 50th annual Delta Park Powwow in 2020.

© 2019 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™

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