Night Market goers brave the cold

The Kahnawake Youth Center (KYC)’s Winter Carnival has always been on the lookout for ways to make their event better each year.

This year’s Winter Night Market, held last Friday on the grounds of the Kahnawake Sports Complex, is no exception.

Following a successful first edition last year, the KYC decided to combine it with a family dance this time - instead of having an elementary school dance at the same time, like last year - as part of its emphasis on inclusion for this year’s carnival.

“We’ve really tried to emphasis inclusion, because in some of the more active events that we did, they were 13+, and some of the adults in town are really competitive, so they play hard,” said Cheyanne McComber, community and family events coordinator for KYC.

As such, lower intensity events like the night market, the puzzle competition, as well as rules for broomball and human foosball to have women and youth on the teams, made the carnival more accessible, according to McComber.

Although temperatures were double digits under freezing, especially after the sun had completely set, the night market was still bustling - including the family dance floor.

Younger kids and families danced with a polar bear and panda mascot, as well as K1037 Radio, as the radio station provided the tunes and a DJ.

On site, there were many booths of organizations in town letting people know about their future projects.

The Kahnawake Environment Protection Office (KEPO) distributed its newsletter and let community members know they would be holding an environment community committee in the spring.

KEPO also had a game where, with plushies, you could try your hand at identifying birds that frequent the community, where you could win a KEPO shirt.

Other organizations with booths included Kahnawake Collective Impact, which gave hot beverages to market attendees, Kahnawake Tourism, and Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services.

There were also vendors from in and around the community selling wares ranging from traditional art to treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.

“I was at the first edition last year, and despite it being very cold, it was very busy. I met a lot of people, made some friends, and it was very good. I love the community, so I’m back again this year,” said Diana Murphy, owner of Sweet Dee’s, which specializes in making and selling freeze-dried candies as well as selling imported or unusual candies.

On the artistic side, the Snipe Clan Sisters’ beadwork booth featured earrings, purses, and ribbon skirts.

Another was Femade, a jewelry company owned by Paola Ramirez, who emigrated from Colombia to Canada. She designs jewelry which is then handmade in Colombia using techniques from the Wayuu, an Indigenous people in Colombia and Venezuela.

With the Carnival wrapping things up today (Friday), McComber said that it has been a very successful endeavour.

“I think having a lot of different indoor and outdoor events gave more options for everyone to find something they would like to do and participate in,” said McComber.

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