Vendors are looking forward to showcasing their work. This beaded bolo and earring set made by Jolene Ramirez-Soto (Warm Springs) was offered at the 2019 fair.
PORTLAND – As the holiday season draws near, the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) looks forward to bringing back its popular annual Native Arts & Crafts Fair. This year’s fair will be held Friday, November 22 at the CRITFC headquarters in Portland.
The CRITFC Native Arts & Crafts Fair is a chance for the community to find distinctive gifts for friends and family, support Indigenous artists directly, and contribute to a meaningful cause helping the tribal fishers and their families that live along the Columbia River.
The fair will showcase handcrafted art, jewelry, and traditional foods—all produced by members of the Indigenous community from around the region. A portion of the fair’s proceeds will help fund CRITFC’s Salmon Claus project, an initiative providing gifts and warm clothing to children and elders living at the tribal fishing access sites along the Columbia River.
This year’s fair will be the first one since the pandemic. CRITFC Community Development Department deputy director, Faron Scissons (Rosebud Sioux), expressed excitement about bringing this event back and revitalizing its impact.
“The fair has always been a way for us to support not just the Portland Native community, but also —
Items at the Native Arts & Crafts fair will feature diverse creations from Indigenous artists. This ribbon skirt displayed at the 2019 fair was made by Chenoa Landry (Puyallup).
especially thosethe individuals living along the river who may need extra warmth during the cold months,” Scissons said. “After a break due to Covid, we’re excited to see it come back, especially with new energy from staff and support from the community.”
CRITFC Front Office Coordinator Gabriella Lewis, (Nez Perce, Umatilla, and Cayuse) joined CRITFC six months ago and quickly took on the challenge of coordinating the fair. “This is my first major project with CRITFC, and it’s really meaningful to bring together Indigenous artists and showcase the beauty and creativity of our cultures,” Lewis said. “It’s so important to support Indigenous artists by buying directly from them, not from big companies selling ‘Native-inspired’ items.”
While it is a great way to get ready for holiday gift-giving, Lewis is also excited for non-Native community members to have the opportunity to celebrate Native American Heritage Month by supporting Indigenous artists.
“This fair is an opportunity to celebrate Native American Heritage Month by giving back to Indigenous community members,” Lewis said. “It’s a way for us to come together, share our heritage, and support each other.”
In addition to the rich selection of arts and crafts, this year’s fair will feature raffle prizes and offers attendees two raffle tickets for each donation of new sports equipment. Lewis said, “We are hoping to receive plenty of new items like basketballs, baseballs, soccer balls and footballs in the sports equipment drive.”
Fees paid by vendors to join the fair will go toward the causes supported by the event. The fair has also gained the support of the Portland Trail Blazers. The Portland NBA team recently donated funds to CRITFC preceding their Native American Heritage Night event at the Moda Center Nov. 10. This partnership highlights both organizations’ commitment to celebrating and supporting Native communities.
Items for everyone will be available for all. This salmon cap from the 2019 fair was made by Sarah Penney (Nez Perce).
Looking forward, Scissons hopes to see the fair become a long-term tradition that continues to grow with community involvement and new partnerships. “This fair was created out of necessity,” she explained. “Registration fees, raffle ticket sales, every single proceed from the vendor fair goes directly towards purchasing coats and gloves for children, which our federal funding does not cover which is how we came up with this solution. Federal funding couldn’t cover items like coats and gloves, so CRITFC staff came together to create a solution. In 2019, we distributed over 70 jackets and 50 a significant number of coats, hats, pairs of gloves, and scarfs that we would have not been able to hand out otherwise without the support of the vendors and the community. We’re thrilled to have the support to carry that legacy forward with the next generation of CRITFC staff and community partners.”
Both Lewis and Scissons are excited to see the Portland community come together to support one another. “The Native community in Portland is so tight-knit—it’s wonderful to see these connections where everyone knows each other, and this fair is a great way to build and strengthen those relationships,” Scissons remarked.
While some of the vendors will be travelling from the CRITFC member tribes’ reservations, other vendors,
Pieces that are in line with traditional items worn by tribal members will be available for purchase, but more contemporary items, like this beaded pop socket made by Jolene Ramirez-Soto (Warm Springs) from the 2019 fair will also be for sale. There will also be artisan and traditional foods made by Indigenous vendors.
and many of those coming to support the fair, reside within the Portland metro area. Working and living far from the reservation can have its challenges, according to Lewis. She is excited to have an opportunity to build that sense of togetherness. “It’s important to have these community events for the Portland Urban Native population where we can support one another,” Lewis said. “This fair creates a space for us to celebrate our art and creativity together.”
CRITFC invites the public to be part of this revitalized event, happening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the fifth floor in the CRITFC Commission Chambers at 700 NE Multnomah St., Suite 510, Portland on November 22. For more information contact CRITFC’s main office at 503-238-0667 or email fdsk@critfc.org.