Town of Westlock seeking Indigenous vendors for Truth and Reconciliation event

The town of Westlock is seeking Indigenous vendors and exhibitors for an upcoming Truth and Reconciliation event on Sept. 10.

Westlock is specifically searching for vendors and exhibitors who can showcase handcrafted goods and traditional gifts, offer traditional foods and beverages, share educational materials or resources related to Indigenous culture and heritage and sell artwork or host interactive, family-friendly activities.

The town of Westlock is working closely with the Alexander First Nation for the event, which will most likely take place at the fields behind Ecole Westlock Elementary School and the Westlock Community Hall.

Westlock has hosted annual Truth and Reconciliation events for the past four years and hopes to continue to do so. 

The Department of Canadian Heritage recently denied the town's request for funding to commemorate Truth and Reconciliation as they received a high number of intake applications from various municipalities across Canada. 

The town is searching for Indigenous businesses, entertainers and speakers from across the province due to the lack of Indigenous-owned businesses in the Westlock community and the small Indigenous population (10 per cent of Westlock’s population according to their latest socio-economic report).

The town is choosing to host the event prior to the actual Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30 for several reasons. It is planned to be an outdoor event, so the weather may be more favourable, and the town is hoping to host the event prior to their upcoming election season as they ramp up preparations at the end of the month.

“We welcome everyone and we want the community to connect better with Indigenous people and understand our history,” said Town of Westlock Economic Development Officer Davis Prizgintas.

“The whole administration in the council really acknowledges that element that we need to show respect and understanding and try to build that bridge within the community. Each member understands how important it is to know that we are on Indigenous lands.”

The upcoming event has been promoted by the newly established Northwest of 16 Regional Tourism Association which promotes events in the region to the north and west of Edmonton to boost tourism in the area.