For a second year in a row, the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) team was proud to be present at the 19th edition of the Salon des artisans de Québec in the First Nations Zone!
This event, which was held from Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 8 at the Centre de foires de Québec, was the perfect opportunity to showcase Indigenous artisans from across the territory and raise public awareness of the ID1N, the official brand of First Nations entrepreneurs.
What is ID1N?
First Nations Identification (ID1N) is the movement that launched the official Bear brand, which guarantees the authenticity of First Nations businesses and entrepreneurs as well as their products and services.
ID1N is more than a movement; it is a mission that unites all our economic stakeholders: artisans, artists, merchants, self-employed workers, SMEs, large companies and organizations. The goal? To fight against cultural appropriation!
The Bear is the official symbol that acts as a shield against cultural appropriation.
What exactly is the Bear?
You may already be aware that First Nations businesses and entrepreneurs deal with a lot of cultural appropriation. Indeed, people who borrow Indigenous identities sell copied or imported products or services, often at a lower cost. This is why the Bear was created.
The Bear symbol was created by Frank Polson, an Anishinaabe artist. It represents the shared values of courage, respect and protection that have been passed down from generation to generation by First Nations.
It can be compared to the Organic Agriculture Canada label, but rather than applying to organic products, it identifies First Nations entrepreneurs and businesses. This guarantees that the product or service you are consuming is nothing less than authentic!
A must see event before the holidays
The first edition of the Salon des artisans de Québec was held in December 2005 in response to a growing demand for this type of event in the region. Since then, the event has continued to grow and gain notoriety. Over the years, it has established itself as a must-see event, for both visitors and exhibitors alike!
Under one roof, the Salon des artisans de Québec features a rich selection of handcrafted objects, unique works of art and authentic agri-food products from the Quebec region. The emphasis is on the quality, diversity and originality of the creations offered.
Since last year, the Salon des artisans has offered a section entirely dedicated to First Nations artisans, in which the ID1N occupies an important place, physically with its information booth and also as an authority for authenticating the products sold. In addition to being informed and made aware of the ID1N mission, visitors had the chance to win a prize by following the official brand’s new Instagram account or by signing a commitment to fight against cultural appropriation. A rally was also held, in which young children (and some older ones!) could search for the Bear’s footprints and win a surprise.
Milestones reached and a surprise visit: an event full of emotions
This edition of the Salon allowed the FNQLEDC team to promote the ID1N in multiple ways!
We were notably visited by Grand Chief Pierre Picard, of the Wendat Nation, who came to show his support for First Nations artisans on Saturday, December 7th. His presence and kind words honoured the ID1N movement and the entrepreneurs it represents.
In addition, as part of the Salon, we launched a new Instagram page to promote the Bear: @id1n_officiel. And over just a few days, we accumulated more than 100 followers! Thank you for your support!
Finally, one last important milestone was reached thanks to your support: we reached 1,000 signatures in support of the fight against cultural appropriation! 1000 signatures which mainly represent 1000 people who actively practice cultural appreciation. This is huge and we are extremely grateful to you. Special mention to Roger Paradis, promoter of the Groupe Pro-Expo and manager of the Salon des artisans de Québec, who was our thousandth signatory!
A big thank you once again to everyone who stopped by the ID1N booth to get information and show their support. It was a pleasure to chat with each of you, and to see your enthusiasm for the Bear cause! Don’t miss next year’s edition; you might find the perfect gift, designed with care, passion and authenticity. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the Bear brand during your holiday shopping!
