The Redland Grange hosted Oregon City’s first Indigenous Marketplace put on by the nonprofit group Portland Indigenous Marketplace July 27-28. Founded by Lluvia Merello in 2018, Portland Indigenous Marketplace offers a space where vendors from underserved communities can come together in a safe and supportive environment.
From jewelry to art and food, the Indigenous Marketplace had a wide selection of handmade, original items for shoppers to enjoy.
“I feel like anybody is always gonna find something that is just so unique and kind of attracts you,” Merello said. “You’re never going to have the same experience at any of our marketplaces. We have a network of almost 200 artists. You’re honestly going to be seeing new artists every time.”
Welcoming vendors representing any Indigenous people allows the market to draw from a larger community.
“We don’t actually have any geographical boundaries of the vendors we serve,” Merello said. “Our definition of indigenous includes Indigenous people from all around the world. I myself am Kedua. And in Inca, from Peru.”
According to Merello, close to 75% of the vendors are indigenous to North America and include tribes from all over the country, including several Oregon tribal members. Many of the vendors seem to appreciate the community Merello has created.
Vendor Christopher Spivery occupied the corner booth near the entrance with partner Kitana Connelly. They’ve been vendors with Indigenous Marketplace for a little over a year. They sell art and chat with shoppers. Some of Spivery’s art is inspired by the comic book he’s creating called “Korina, Trials of the Shadow,” about a young woman coming to terms with long suppressed emotions that have taken on a mind of their own.
“My favorite thing about the Indigenous Marketplace probably would be free food and exposure,” Spivery said, gesturing to the room of vendors and shoppers, “and talking to people.”
A vendor for three years, Lindsay Thomas sells traditional plant medicines, balms, tinctures and creams. She’s also a doula and a lactation counselor besides being a medicine maker.
“My business is providing traditional plant medicines for the community — birthing community, families — and sharing knowledge,” Thomas said.
For Thomas, the most enjoyable thing about the Indigenous Market is the connections.
“I’ve enjoyed the community. I’ve made some sisters and it’s a safe place to come together, to run your business and to be in community with people that are just like you.” Thomas said. “You form kind of like a family.”
Although this was Merello’s first venture into Oregon City, it wouldn’t be the last.
“The (Redland) Grange has been amazingly welcoming and just open arms. We’re going to be here today, tomorrow and at the end of August,” Merello said. “I fully anticipate us to be here regularly (during) summers and the Grange has even invited us back for a winter event, so we will likely do that too.”
The Indigenous Marketplace appears again at Redland Grange on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on this event and others, or to become a vendor, visit Portland Indigenous Marketplace website at www.indigenous marketplace.org.
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