Community News

INDIGENOUS BOOKSHOP CREATING COMMUNITY SPACE

BARN SWALLOW TEA AND BOOKSHOP FOCUSES ON INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND STORIES

BRILEE SEARS bsears@metroland.com

At Barn Swallow Tea and Bookshop, visitors can find a variety of books, teas and other products all made by Indigenous people or telling stories about Indigneous people.

"Having a centre where people can come and read Indigenous content and learn about Indigenous culture in a non-judgmental

way and in a safe environment, I think, is really important," said owner Nichole L'Hirondelle.

She grew up in West Lincoln, where, despite being surrounded by people, she struggled to connect with parts of her family heritage since family members gave up their Indian status in exchange for full Canadian citizenship.

"My father is from the Callihoo Michel band, which is from Alberta. We're actually the only nation to be completely enfranchised.

So I grew up without an Indigenous community myself," L'Hirondelle explained.

She hopes that others in similar positions without an Indigenous community will be able to use her store as a way to begin learning about their own culture and roots.

"Growing up, I always tried to reconnect and reconnect, and I could never quite find the perfect place for myself. And so I decided to try and start creating one for all of us lost souls that

are not quite sure where to start out," she added.

L'Hirondelle also hopes that those who are not Indigenous will take the time to visit her shop and be open to listening to and learning from Indigenous voices to help unlearn negative stereotypes.

"That's kind of what I'm

hoping this space will be, because people can come here, see some really awesome artwork and realize that we're not, you know, running around in the forest. There's a lot to us and there's a lot of us."

In addition to enjoying books and teas, those who visit the shop can find basic crafting supplies like rings to make dream catchers.

"The reserve is two hours away, so I wanted some basic things to bring to the community so that they might be able to, like, get some of the crafting supplies and not have to order it online," she explained.

Throughout the year, Barn Swallow Tea and Bookshop will host events including their monthly book club, sacred medicine workshops and classes teaching people how to make dreamcatchers.

"This month's book is 'Empire of the Wild' by Cherie Dimaline, She's a Native woman, and this book is a mystery, which I really love," L'Hirondelle said. "It brings in a lot of Indigenous cultures and a lot of things that I just purely laugh at."

Additional information about the store and upcoming events can be found on their Facebook page: Barn Swallow Tea and Bookshop.

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2023-03-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

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