A new, cutting edge Aboriginal e-Commerce website called Kitigan (www.kitigan.com) launched Aboriginal Day. Miziwe Biik is a valued partner in this social enterprise. The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres has financed the launch of the new social economy initiative, operating through the Friendship Centre-owned Villages Equity Corporation. The website provides authentic, original, high quality Aboriginal art, gifts and crafts at a competitive price and is designed to support Aboriginal artisans, particularly low-income, to develop a portfolio and reach a global market. The website and products alike will provide educational information, and cultural knowledge regarding the diverse styles, cultures and regions from which Aboriginal peoples and their art originate.
The wide variety of quality handmade Aboriginal art and products includes original birch bark, wood and canvas paintings, stone and antler carvings, Iroquois pottery and raised beadwork, ash and birch bark baskets, corn husk dolls, feather boxes, hand-carved paddles, quilts and star blankets, tamarack art, flutes, quill boxes and quill barrettes, gold, silver, wampum and turquoise jewelry and apparel including moccasins, mitts, gauntlets, hats, ribbon shirts, vests, dresses, purses and turtle medicine pouches.
This social enterprise also supports Friendship Centres and other participating Aboriginal businesses, who will receive revenue through sales commissions earned from their direct participation in brokering wholesale product purchases and creating a list of Aboriginal artisans in their region. Friendship Centre capacity building to develop local revenue generating initiatives is an expected outcome of their active participation.
The name "Kitigan" is an Ojibway word meaning "garden". It also means "to grow, to mature, or to prosper". The Kitigan tag line “Cultivating Communities” stems from the nurturing and growth created from the garden. Kitigan will operate the online retail store based out of Toronto.
This social initiative is the first of its kind as all of the products are reliant upon a national network of authentic Aboriginal artisans, many from remote locations which are generally inaccessible for commerce. Kitigan works with Friendship Centres who have established relationships with the artists in their communities to promote quality, handmade Aboriginal art and support the entire network from artists, Friendship Centres and Aboriginal businesses.
About the OFIFC
The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres is a Not for Profit which represents 28 friendship centres across Ontario. Their aim is "to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people living in an urban environment by supporting self-determined activities which encourage equal access to and participation in Canadian society and which respects Aboriginal cultural distinctiveness." To achieve this we provide programs that promote education, economic development, children’s and youth initiatives, and cultural awareness.
About the Villages Equity Corporation
The Villages Equity Corporation is a for profit business incubator for Indigenous economic development whose goal is to generate revenue by providing dividends and/or further investment opportunities to shareholders (the Friendship Centres). Their vision is to develop a future of strong, self supporting Indigenous communities.