Cree art celebrated through new shop in Old Montreal

Wachiya, means “Hello” in Cree.

So Wachiya and welcome to the grand opening of the Wachiya store in Old Montreal — a new place that focuses on Cree arts and crafts products from Eeyou Istchee.

“It’s very nice to see our culture shine,” said Sophie Claude Miller, manager of the new shop. “I’m a residential school survivor.”

“My father would be very proud and all my family to see that our culture is accessible to everyone.”

Every stitch, done by the hand of a Cree native.

These products, all authentic and represent the culture.

“There’s very many aspects that are linked to our lifestyle,” explained Miller. “We have of course ribbon skirts, ribbon shirts and all that.”

“We were really walkers, we were nomadic people.”

“So the snowshoes are very crucial for us,” she added. “They’re so important.”

About an eight hour drive from Montreal — Eeyou Istchee is in Northern Quebec and is comprised of 11 communities.

Wachiya has been an online store for about one year now – cutting the ribbon at the grand opening, something the Cree Native Arts & Crafts Association — an Indigenous non-profit – is proud of.

“We saw an opportunity to open a physical store due to the interest,” said Dale Cooper, Executive Director of the association. “And its been great, were very excited.”

From paintings, moccasins, gloves, hats to beaded jewelry and more.

These are items that Cree people have been making for centuries.

“Nice to see familiar faces, my people,” said Maïtée Saganash, brand ambassador, Wachiya. “On Saint-Paul Street in Old Montreal.”

“Where there’s a lot of tourists, so many people,” she added. “It’s nice to see such representation.”

They thank the Mohawk community for welcoming them to Tiohtià:ke, or as we know it: Montreal.

And hope to open their store doors to artists from other nations too –- to have the beauty of their products experienced by all.

“I’m really proud,” said Cooper. “Because this is a way to showcase our artists and artisans to the world.”