Honoring Indigenous Reciprocity and Renewal

By Candyce Testa (Pequot, CS Bazaar Program Manager)

This past winter season, we invited you to join us in celebration of the winter solstice, the return of the sun, the return of the light, to harken in the very first of our cyclical New Years. What a joy it was to celebrate this time of reciprocity and renewal with so many amazing partners and friends, including staff, volunteers, interns, homestay hosts, performers, and Indigenous vendors. To the many people who heard our call to “Shop Indigenous!” we say, “Yakoke, Kutaputush, Gracias, Thank you.”

The first Winter Bazaar of the season took place at the historic Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts on December 13-14, 2025. This venue is special in so many ways. We were awed and thankful for their supportive staff, and the space's historic background added a built-in elegance to our event. The circular layout immediately evoked the rhythms and cycles of the year, the week, the day, and even time itself. It was a joy to design a layout that used the circular shape organically, contributing to the steady flow of both energy and people throughout this unique and beautiful space.

The following weekend, we were welcomed by the WaterFire Art Center in Providence, RI, whose name and venue space are recognized as a hub for artists and art enthusiasts within the city known as the “Creative Capital” of the U.S. The 15,000-square-foot venue provided vendors with extra space to share their physical and performance arts with all. The WaterFire staff provided extraordinary support and flexibility before, during, and after the event, creating a working partnership we are looking forward to continuing.

The reach and impact of the Bazaars run deep as we do our part to provide key support in fostering opportunities for Indigenous livelihoods, cultural sustainability, and personal connections. These events offer a unique opportunity for the public to meet Indigenous artists from around the globe and to learn about different ways of seeing and being in this world. Between the two Winter Bazaars, we welcomed 54 artists and their representatives, impacting 935 people from 34 communities across 25 countries. Collectively, the vendors brought in almost $300,000, with individual earnings ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per event.

New Artists

In 2026, our team selected 56 new vendors from 110 applications. One of these, Associação Indígena Pykôre, a Kayapo association from Brazil that sent two representatives, supports the women who create seed and wood jewelry as well as cloth designs that mirror the ceremonial patterns painted upon their bodies. They honored us with a cultural sharing through word and song on the final day.

We also had the pleasure of sharing space for the first time with Jeremy Arviso (Hopi, Diné, Akimel O’odham, and Tohono O’odham), a multidisciplinary artist who transmits Native stories through the designs of his jewelry, clothing, and outerwear. His brand’s mission is to “challenge the status quo of dominant culture with thought-provoking graphics and messages.” Jeremy also shared with us some physical movements to get us up and stretching after a long weekend of sitting.

Performers

The featured performers were Yarina, whose Kichwa Otavalo fusion music promotes the revitalization of Kichwa traditions through language, music, arts, and crafts. They have been a true friend and partner for close to two decades, and it is their sound that many associate with the Cultural Survival Bazaars. Our own CS Board Member, Dr. Lyla June Johnston, a.k.a. Lyla June (Diné/Tsétsêhéstâhese), a musician, author, and community organizer, performed her inspirational, multi-genre music centered around Indigenous philosophy, healing, and environmental stewardship. Ugandan folk musician Samual Nalagira and his talented dancers created an air of enchantment with a sound check and performance that brought many to their feet.

Bazaar Musing

The Bazaar happening that we all cherish occurred during Yarina’s performance on the final night. As we were all winding down from successive weekends of vending, performing, and connecting, a member of the group began to dance, and soon more vendors joined in, as well as staff! It was a delightful and spontaneous moment that reminded us what the Bazaars are about: more than vending opportunities, they are moments of connection that create lasting memories and opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. The Bazaars are a vehicle for cultural exchange and knowledge sharing. This impromptu dance party was just the medicine we needed to energize our physical and spiritual selves before closing the venue doors, boxing up our belongings, and packing the truck, all the while hugging one another and saying, “Till next time.”