Several Indigenous artisans sold their work to a crowd of curious customers this Sunday at the Native Holiday Market in the halls of the Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center on the East side of St. Paul.

Opening again on Sunday, Dec. 15, the seasonal sale provides an opportunity for local artists to showcase and sell their work. A diverse selection of goods was promoted throughout the event, including several sellers of beaded jewelry and herbal teas. 

Artists at the event were each given their own tables to set up. Many chose to stay at their table to connect with the visitors constantly circling the showroom and observing the exhibited works as both appreciators and potential buyers. 

At one point on Sunday afternoon, so many people entered the market through the cultural center’s youth-led Roots Cafe that a small line formed and poured out the door. Luckily, hungry guests did not have to wait to get something to eat as urban Native food truck Trickster Tacos was parked outside serving up frybread tacos for famished shoppers. 

The adjoining storefront for hand-made holistic healing Eagle and Condor Native Wellness Center allowed guests to skip the line and head straight to the market from the showroom in the back of the shared commercial building.  

Once through the doors, visitors were greeted by a few sellers set up in the dining area. In the main market hall, there was a selection of jewelry, clothes, paintings, herbs and other goods from Indigenous artists awaiting new customers at their display tables. 

A DJ provided a live soundtrack from a set of turntables near the back of the hall. 

Back in the Roots Cafe, customers gathered around the dining tables between the market’s tables to relax and replenish their energy after doing their shopping for the day. Some were so excited to unpack their shopping bags, that they forewent waiting and just ripped into their purchases on the spot.