Cree-owned 'Wachiya' store selling Indigenous arts and crafts in Old Montreal

A new Cree-owned shop has opened in Old Montreal, showcasing products made by northern Quebec Cree artists and craftspeople. 

The store, Wachiya — which means "hello" in Cree — has been an online retailer in recent years. There also used to be a shop in Val-d'Or, Que., that closed in the '90s.

The new Montreal location will allow people to shop around inside and learn about Eeyou Istchee and Cree culture. 

"Having the Wachiya store, I feel like it opens up that connection to people and to educate people that we are here," said Paula Menarick, who is Cree and Inuk from Chisasibi, Que. 

Menarick is one of the many artists from across Eeyou Istchee who sell their crafts at the Wachiya store, which officially opened its doors on Aug 8. 

"We're from Eeyou Istchee, we practice our culture, we love our culture, we're proud, we want to share it with everyone," said Menarick, who is also the owner of Fast Cloud Inspirations.

The small, street-level Wachiya store is located in Old Montreal at 79 Rue Saint-Paul E., and is owned and operated by Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association (CNACA). 

The store sells tamarack birds, wooden canoe paddles, moosehide moccasins, beaded earrings, among many other traditionally handmade items. Prices can range from $25 dollars to $500.  

Dale Cooper, a Cree from Oujé-Bougoumou who serves as the executive director of CNACA, believes there are a lot of misconceptions, but also a lot of curiosity, about Indigenous culture. 

He thinks there's been a shift in recent years, with more people recognizing how important Indigenous cultures are to Canada.

"They're curious about our culture and they want to learn more. Now we do have that space now to educate them," said Cooper.

"As soon as you walk in, it smells amazing. It kind of reminds you of being back home being in the bush." 

The scent is as beautiful as the store setup, according to Cooper. 

"It does look somewhat like a museum, a gallery space. But in other ways there are some cultural elements. Everything in there is all authentically Cree and handmade," he said.