The first annual Native American Heritage Month Holiday Craft fair in Carson City sees a “great response” from the community
Local vendors from all around joined in on the holiday shopping at the first annual Native American Heritage Month Holiday Craft Fair. The event took place on Friday Nov. 18 and Saturday Nov.19 at the Stewart Indian School, located at 5500 Snyder Avenue, Building 90 in Carson City from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m.
The annual Stewart Father’s Powwow event takes place in June, but this was the first time the community did a Christmas craft fair. Sarina Nez, the office coordinator for the Nevada Indian Commission, said there are many events like this that happen in Reno, but none that take place in Carson City.
Nez said they had a “great response” with this fair from the vendors and the community.
“Our vendors are not up in the numbers we’d like to see, but we’ve had so much feedback from the community, they love it," Nez said. "And our vendors are very happy."
The reason they decided to put on this craft fair was to bring attention to the Stewart Indian School so it could be restored. She said generations have been going to this school for almost 100 years and it was a hard, sad experience when the school closed, especially for families like hers that had been here for years.
“It’s a community and it’s more than a school. It’s family,” Nez explained.
Vendors came from all over including as far as Yerington and Elko, who all have connections to the Stewart Indian School as well.
Admission was free for participants who wanted to walk around and buy an assortment of holiday shopping items. People were able to purchase handmade jewelry, including beaded necklaces, quality earrings and bracelets. The fair also had warm and cozy blankets for sale, mini beaded keychains and well-crafted, colorful dream catchers to hang over your bed.
The delicious Indian tacos were also available to purchase just outside of the fair’s entrance, along with a raffle to win a basket of goodies.
Nez said the best part of the craft fair was meeting new people and hearing their stories and she said they will definitely consider doing this Holiday Craft Fair again the following year.