Christmas Bazaar is back

Tomorrow is the day for the Kanesatake Christmas Bazaar, which is set to see 15 vendors take to the local church hall for a day of holiday cheer.

The event has been organized by the Kanehsatà:ke Fundraising Committee, formerly United Church Women, who have been involved in fundraising efforts for the Kahwa:tsire Kana:takon Hall, formerly the United Church Hall, for decades. This year, the group is focusing on raising funds for the roof, which is in need of urgent repair.

“Everybody is welcome,” said Amanda Simon, a member of the fundraising committee.

She said the group has been focusing on keeping the legacy of community fundraising events alive and creating and fostering a tradition of meeting up in a positive environment over the holiday season.

“We’re trying to do a revival rooted in tradition, a future guided by the past, and a community honouring our founders by building again stronger and together,” Simon said.

The bazaar will feature a half-and-half raffle, as well as a raffle for a quilt created by members of the fundraising committee - tickets can be purchased in advance by reaching out to committee members directly or can be purchased on the day of the bazaar.

One of those crafters who contributed to the blanket is Myrlyn Bonspille, who has been involved in the fundraising committee for more than 40 years.

“Doing what we’re doing now keeps me dedicated,” said Bonspille, whose daughter Maria Canatonquin is now also involved in the fundraising committee.

Along with others on the fundraising committee, Bonspille stitched together squares to create a blanket with motifs of dancers for the event, sewing ribbons onto the skirts and shawls of each figure.

“It’s a real labour of love,” Simon said.

Fellow committee member Valerie Bonspille said that being a part of the fundraising group has also been a family affair. She saw her grandmother, mother, and aunts working with the group in her childhood, and would come to the church hall for Christmas concerts and Sunday school.

“It’s just something that for me I felt I needed to step into, and keep the tradition going,” Valerie said. “It’s been here for our community for many years, and we still really want to keep it going.”

The event will take place this Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Kahwa:tsire Kana:takon Hall, located at 240 St. Michel St.

Food will also be available, prepared by volunteers from the committee, and homemade soups, fresh sandwiches, desserts, and snacks will be available for purchase, with all proceeds going towards maintenance costs for the church hall.

“We’re all volunteers. Nobody here is getting any payment, we’re just here because we want to be here,” Simon said. “We want to bring back the fun and the togetherness.”

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