Walking through Yellowknife’s Spring tradeshow this weekend, the independent spirit of artists, entreprepreneurs and business owners was inescapable. The work of artists in Yellowknife and across the territory is increasingly strengthening and building not only the cultural landscape but is also playing a growing role in the economy, evident at the spring show.
Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists were major players at the tradeshow, showcasing the ways they make and shape the territory’s cultural and arts economy.
Yellowknife Artist Diane Boudreau explained that the community has long been home to a high concentration of artists, especially in comparison to other parts of the country.
From the gorgeous intricate beadworks of Artist Mikayla Yakeleya, the finely detailed whimsical, classical beautiful beadwork designs of Tłı̨chǫ Artist Berna Base to the vibrant, lustrous painted fish panels of Boudreau, there was so much to see and do at the tradeshow.
Growers from across the N.W.T. brought in the green, including Madeline Lake Market Gardens with their seedlings, plants and culinary salts.Tłı̨chǫ artisans and makers brought Tea of the Land and Whaèhdǫǫ̀ Lıdì (Tea of Ancestors), loose-leaf herbal teas and a wild fireweed blossom infusion syrup.
A passion for culinary arts, foods made with care like handmade samosas, perogies, mini donuts could be seen and tasted in the food court corner of the Shorty Brown Arena.
Aside from a handful of establishments, restaurants and eateries in the city of Yellowknife are owned independently. The food court at the tradeshow brought out some of the city’s best, from Sushi North to Bluebell Eatery. In comparison to the provinces of the south, this is distinct, especially for a capital city.
In the last year, the arts sector generated more than $11 billion in GDP for the territory. The arts sector saw the 9.7 per cent growth in GDP, the highest growth of all sectors this past year. Over the last five years, the arts sector generated the second highest rate increase for the GDP after the transportation and warehouse industries.
While public administration, mining and real estate and rental and leasing sectors contributed the most to the territory’s GDP over the last year, the arts sector has shown the most growth.
Executive Director at the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Matt Halliday said the economic landscape of Yellowknife is changing.
“It’s changing, but at the same time, it’s also, bringing new opportunities. So, it’s a transition period, but it’s not necessarily a negative piece by any stretch it’s about, having new opportunities. So, with a new construction of the roads, new pieces of construction happening across the territory – power pieces with the hydro plant, there’s lots of good things that are happening. It’s just changing and moving away a little bit from the mining sector, but that being said, as the mining sector also has opportunities where we’re seeing growth. So, the gold sector is looking at a whole bunch of exploration. There’s opportunities that the different roads bring in as well, so there’s lots of things happening, which is really good to see,” said Halliday.
Yellowknife Engineer Yasir Jamal said the volume of work he previously saw in the infrastructure sector has decreased in the last few years but that will likely change soon.
With billions of dollars in federal and defence investments coming North, Halliday said that it will be important for businesses to prepare for opportunities which could happen quickly but will take time to show their full fruition.
“It depends on these different projects. Some of them are going to take weeks to get started, and we’ll start seeing the results. Other things might take months of planning, but we’ll sort of see it start trickling in, and then it’ll start to be fully eventually too,” said Halliday.
Gary, who is from Edmonton, often travels to Yellowknife throughout the year, but this was his first time at the tradeshow.
“I noticed that Yellowknife is growing and a lot of people think it was just about gold and mining but it’s not. There’s a lot more to do in Yellowknife. Over the last three years or so, I’ve noticed a lot of changes, more stores, more people. It’s beautiful, but it’s quiet and people are they’re nice, and they’re happy here, I noticed. A lot more tourism, especially coming from, I work in the hospital hospitality area, so we send a lot of tourists here to see the Aurora.”
Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Engagement Manager Tracy Peters said that more than the tradeshow attracted more than 5,000 attendees, vendors and guests onsite.
This year was one of their biggest tradeshows yet.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came out and supported this year’s Spring Trade Show. With more than 5,000 attendees, exhibitors, and guests onsite over the weekend, the energy throughout the Multiplex was amazing to see. The positive feedback from both attendees and vendors has been overwhelming. Exhibitors were busy, people were genuinely having fun, and there was a real sense of community connection throughout the event. It was wonderful to see residents showing up to support businesses, organizations, and each other,” said Peters.
“Events like this truly showcase the strength, spirit, and potential of our community, and we’re so thankful to everyone who played a part in its success,” added Peters.
Peters said this year saw about 575 exhibitors, who attracted more than 4,500 attendees.
