City Markets

City markets are vibrant, dynamic spaces where culture, community, and sustainability come together, offering an experience that’s far beyond what big-box stores and corporations can provide. Exploring urban markets like those in Toronto and Fredericton, I’ve found treasures that not only serve daily needs but also enrich and connect me to the land and to my heritage. These markets are filled with an incredible array of locally made goods—from art and jewelry to meat, cheese, and fresh-baked treats—and there’s something deeply meaningful about buying directly from the hands that create.

Supporting local businesses, especially Indigenous-owned ones, has become a part of my lifestyle. Markets are places where I can find Indigenous-inspired and sustainably sourced products, such as body rubs, soaps, sweetgrass sprays, and more—items that connect me back to traditional practices. Each time I purchase something like sweetgrass spray or natural soap from a First Nations-owned and operated business, I feel I’m taking a piece of the land with me, integrating cultural and natural ingredients into my daily life. Every market I visit has its own unique aroma, flavor, and energy. The mix of all-natural body products, artisan cheeses, sweet pastries, handmade jewelry, and cultural goods reflects a way of life that respects the land and values each person’s craft.

Markets also allow us to break away from the impersonal world of mass production and big corporations. Large stores prioritize profit over community, while markets focus on building connections between buyers and sellers, supporting livelihoods, and preserving traditional skills. Each local business has its own story, and supporting these businesses directly supports people’s dreams, their craft, and their ability to thrive in their communities.

Experiencing Indigenous vendors in these spaces is particularly inspiring, as they bring traditional goods and culturally rich products to a broader audience. Seeing First Nations people reclaiming and sharing their crafts, foods, and art within urban spaces is a reminder of resilience and cultural pride. It encourages other Indigenous entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and reminds us that traditional knowledge has a place in modern, urban settings.

Markets also reinforce a sustainable way of life by promoting locally-sourced goods, which reduces the need for excessive packaging, shipping, and waste. Whether it’s purchasing a handcrafted soap or a freshly baked loaf of bread, each choice reflects a commitment to supporting the land and the people closest to it.

In every city, markets are places to engage, celebrate diversity, and discover a slower, more meaningful way of shopping. They provide us with products that are crafted with care, connecting us back to each other and to our shared values of sustainability and community. So next time you’re in a city, take the time to explore a local market—you never know what beautiful, meaningful products you’ll discover!