Indigenous artists and small businesses will converge for the annual Christmas at the Nation holiday market from this Friday, Dec. 12, to Sunday, Dec. 14.
The highly popular market has been held annually since 2021, with a distinctly Indigenous, festive atmosphere. It’ll take place over the three days this weekend at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex and Chief Jim Starlight Centre on Tsuut’ina Nation.
“We had really humble beginnings of about 50 vendors, and since then, it’s grown into selling out at 220 vendors,” said Tsuut’ina Nation artist and market organizer Cieran Starlight in an interview. “A large majority of our vendors do come from Treaty 7 First Nations — from Tsuut’ina, Stoney Nakoda, Kainai, Siksika, and Piikani Nation. There’s also a lot of vendors coming from British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan as well.”
It’ll be an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous culture through song, dance, craft and artistic work. You might find the perfect gift for someone on your list, or treat yourself to a beautiful new handcrafted treasure.
What to expect
There will be 220 total vendors offering a variety of goods at Christmas at the Nation, including stunning works by local Indigenous artists. Cieran Starlight is one of them, and she has also been a key part of growing the market since 2021.
Along with the variety of vendors offered, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in Elder storytelling in an indoor tipi, plus take photos with Santa Claus and other roaming holiday characters.
“Storytelling is a big part of our culture, specifically in Tsuut’ina,” Starlight said. “We do a lot of our storytelling in the wintertime.”
Throughout the three-day weekend, attendees can also experience performances by Tsuut’ina Nation dance and singers.
“They’ll be performing each of the different powwow dances that we typically see in powwow, and that’ll be happening throughout the whole weekend,” said Starlight. “There’s jingle dancers for women, and fancy shawl dancers for women. And then for men, there’s traditional, men’s fancy, men’s grass, and men’s chicken. And each of those dances represents different storytelling within themselves… there’s different moves that each of them do. There’s different ways that they step with their feet. People can see those differences within each of those dances.”
Everyone is welcome to come and learn more about Indigenous culture and get into the festive spirit of the season. “We always just encourage people, if they don’t know, and they’re shy to ask directly — the vendors can always answer questions that people have,” she continued. “The dancers and the singers can usually answer those questions as well.”
Connection to craft
Starlight says that within Indigenous communities, there is a strong connection to craft making that’s handed down from generation to generation.
“People who make regalia for each other and do the sewing and the seam stressing… those all come from our moms, and our aunties, our sisters and our cousins,” said Starlight. “A lot of what I know came from my older sister and a lot of the matriarchs in my family. But I’ve also seen a lot of really talented men who craft and do beadwork.”
At the market, there’s a convergence where skill sets and talent are shared amongst the 200+ vendors. Admission to the market costs $10, and kids under 12 get in free. Tickets are available at the door, and free parking is available.
“Everybody is welcome to come out, and we encourage everyone to come out,” said Starlight. “We really hope that people will come and enjoy the weekend with us.”
When: Friday, Dec. 12 to Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Chief Jim Starlight Centre — 19 Bullhead Rd., Alberta
Tickets: $10; kids under 12 get in free
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