SADDLE LAKE – It has been many years since Saddle Lake had a community market.
Taleah Jackson from Saddle Lake remembers the market was a “really big thing” when she was growing up. “I remember just so many different vendors every Friday... They were there first thing in the morning,” she recalls.
Jackson is hopeful the same energy will come back again, and she is helping to bring the market back to the community.
On Aug. 2, Saddle Lake held its second Market and Open Mic at the Manitou Kehiw Arena. The first market was held in July, and “This is that start,” said Jackson.
Jackson is one of the coordinators of the Saddle Lake Market and Open Mic, and also one of the case workers at Saddle Lake Social Development. In collaboration with Saddle Lake Emergency Management, “We’re working together to make sure that this goes as smoothly as possible.”
The Market and Open Mic falls in line with both organizations’ mandates, which is to bring positivity into the community. “There’s a lot of negativity, not just in our community, but a lot of other communities,” said Jackson.
“So, this was just one of the things that we thought we [could] bring something positive back to the community... something people can participate in and feel like they’re a part of.”
Jackson said she is just a small part of a team of people who are working to ensure the success of the market, noting the important logistics behind the market, as well as volunteers who are not part of either organization, such as local Indigenous Country Music artist “Jarrid [Lee] who is dedicating his time to come and help us out.”
Jarrid was responsible for the market’s open mic where people were able to freely sing if they wanted. He was also playing throughout the market, sharing his talents.
Asked how the market has been going, Jackson said it has been a positive experience for all involved and for those who came to shop and check it out. For example, “The first thing I noticed when I came in this morning... people were smiling.”
“They’re laughing... it’s just a good tone to the environment and that’s what we were aiming for,” she said. “It’s just a place for people to come and visit, and sell their stuff... and you know, make new business partners. So, it’s a lot of good opportunities.”
Currently, the market is being held on the first Wednesday of the month, but vendors are requesting the possibility of a bi-weekly market. “It’s still a work in progress, but right now, it’s working as it is.”
Jackson encourages other communities to make the trip to Saddle Lake and check out the market. “It’s not just for Saddle Lake band members. People from all other communities are welcome to attend.”
For vendors, renting a table costs $20, whether they’re from Saddle Lake or not.
For vendor registrations, they can reach Jackson at 780-726-7607.
