Indigenous vendors and artists fill KDays with music, food, and traditional crafts

KDays has expanded Indigenous representation across the fairgrounds this year, partnering with Indigenous Tourism Alberta to place vendors, artists, and entrepreneurs throughout the event.

Chelsey Quirk, chief executive for Indigenous Tourism Alberta, said this expansion represents a positive step in the reconciliation journey. "Part of the reconciliation journey is really taking feedback from the public and from the Indigenous community on how things can look different or look better," she said. "They wanted more visibility — they wanted to have it spread out throughout the park."

Indigenous artist Aysanabee is headlining the CKUA stage on Wednesday. Indigenous vendors have their own market, and the fair now features food, music, and artisan goods spread across multiple locations rather than concentrated in one area. Quirk emphasized the significance of this integrated approach. "You've got food, you've got music, you've got vendors and artisans, and they're all at different places around the festival, making it a lot more integrated."

Indigenous Tourism Alberta's goals extend beyond Alberta to international audiences. The organization wants to support Indigenous communities, businesses, and artists to showcase their culture to domestic and international visitors. Festivalgoers are also encouraged to visit the Kiyanaw Indigenous Experience in Hall E at the Edmonton Expo Centre. "It's not just one time during the day you're going to see Indigenous entertainment. It's spread out throughout the whole festival, which is really nice," Quirk said.