Behind the Table: My Experience as a Vendor at Native Voices 

Connection Over Commerce

Juniper Breez had the honor of not only being a vendor at Native Voices, during a performance of the  powerful play, "Haunted" but patron and attend Opening Night. On opening night DJ Deesco shared the Indigenous beats and good vibes. We mingled with the cast, co-directors, & Tara Moses (Seminole/Mvskoke).

Being a vendor at an event like this isn’t only about selling jewelry. It’s about being part of an ecosystem of Indigenous creativity. People didn’t just purchase earrings they asked about the meaning, the materials, the traditions. Some patrons shared memories of their own and their connection to adornment and jewelry. Opening night and closing weekend DJ Deesco shared the Indigenous beats and good vibes.

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Why Spaces Like This Matter

Native Voices offers something rare in the arts world: Indigenous stories guided by Indigenous hands, on Indigenous terms. To be a vendor in that space means your work is not overlooked it is appreciated and understood. Events like these are reminders that we aren’t creating alone. We’re part of a continuum; an intergenerational conversation carried  in script, in breath, and on stage performances. One evening, my grandma and I watched Haunted and were moved by the humor, cultural, and educational elements. We laughed and cried together, no spoilers.

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A Moment of Gratitude

After participating as a vendor at Native Voices I am full of community, full of inspiration, and full of gratitude. Thank you to Native Voices, Co- Directors DeLanna Studi (Cherokee), Jennifer Bobiwash (Mississauga First Nation) for the invitation to setup as a vendor. Forever hugs to my fellow vendor Christine Padilla dubbed the, "Sioux from South Central" for your amplifying words of wisdom, beading advice, mentorship and our dinner dates.

 (Pocahontas Barbie with Beaded Buckskin by Christine Padilla)

 

Happy to update y'all that we have maintained  connected in  other events/venues during Fall/Winter 2025. Anticipating seeing everyone again soon. Stay Deadly!

 

https://greenwaycourttheatre.org/haunted/