Advocacy
This non profit advocates for Indigenous peoples.
We are powered and EMpowered by Indigenous women.
Vendor Fees
The IACC is defiantly motivated to reduce high vendor fees for Indigenous artists. Provincially and/or federally funded and sponsored non profit organizations with the mandate to provide care/support/create equity for Indigenous peoples should not be charging Indigenous vendors for space at events. See examples & prices below.
Intellectual Property
The IACC welcomes any and all opportunities to contribute and/or speak to issues of Indigenous intellectual property rights including but not limited to imitation art and design imports, reproductions, copies and appropriation.
Fair Wages
The IACC actively supports Indigenous artists in securing contracts that offer fair wages. Through consultation, example and advocation, the IACC will contact potential clients or work one on one with members to ensure that costs such as materials, time, travel and per diam are included in quotations and invoicing.
IACC Canada Post Discount!
Lower Shipping Costs For IACC Members
For artists, shipping costs can be a monumental barrier!
The IACC has worked closely with Canada Post to secure a 30% discount for all IACC members using Canada Post services through their Solutions For Small Business on line services. You can register to get your promo codes HERE!
Update regarding members who do not or cannot use Canada Post on line services
It has come to our attention that IACC members have not been able to use our new IACC promo codes in-person at their local Canada Post offices.
We have been in discussion with Canada Post representatives about this issue, however despite our original agreements, Canada Post has stated that their on-site employees do not have the capacity to enter the IACC promo codes, even when provided the Solutions for Small Business account number. As of right now, the promo codes are only working if members process them online through their Canada Post Solutions for Small Business accounts.
If you are someone who goes directly to the post office to weigh and pay for your shipping and labels, we apologize immensely for this inequitable access. Canada Post is not working on a solution for this issue, and we were not told this would be a complication for our members. While we are grateful to the Canada Post employees who worked hard internally to help us secure this discount, we are frustrated with this situation and the inequality it has made within our membership.
Throughout our year-long negotiations, all of our energy was spent on advocating for members who do not have access to internet/computers/scales and/or do not have the skills to do online shipping. We fought for inclusivity and equality and insisted that ALL members, regardless of logistics, resources and education have access to this discount. We are disappointed with the inequitable result this has come to, and have been awakened to the reality that important conversations like this are not often successful for Indigenous peoples and rarely evolve into solutions that work for everyone.
While we are saddened to have contributed to discussions that further marginalize some Indigenous peoples who do not have equal access to internet/computers and skills to complete online shipping, we are resilient and will continue to work internally to find ways to mitigate this inequality.
We want to support our members, especially those who have been impacted by the promo codes inaccessibility, and we want to hear from you!
- If you are a member who goes directly to the post office to weigh and pay for your shipping and labels and are impacted by this inaccessibility, please email contact@indigenousartscollective.org.
- If you are someone who uses your Canada Post Solutions for Small Business account to pay and create shipping labels online, you will still have access to the promo codes moving forward -nothing will change for you.
- If you are someone who is interested in learning how to use your Canada Post Solutions for Small Business account to pay, weigh and create shipping labels online, please reach out to contact@indigenousartscollective.org for support.
Thank you all for your continuous support, patience and kindness during this difficult period. We appreciate you all. We hope that we can work with each of you to alleviate this inaccessibility in the best way possible.
Vendor Fees
Let it be known that the IACC advocates for Indigenous artists and we disapprove of government funded organizations /events charging vendors for tables. The IACC facilitates monumental events run by volunteers (and on government art grants) with 120+ vendors; tables/chairs/table cloths and assistance unloading and loading are provided for free.
As the founder of the IACC and advocate for over 500 Indigenous artists, I am reaching out today to bring attention to the prices of vendor fees for funded events; specifically events that are mandated to contribute to the economic development, health and resources of Indigenous peoples.
High vendor fees are extremely problematic and further marginalize Indigenous women and small businesses. In considering hardships in attending (travel expenses, child care etc.), events like yours are either not attainable or actively contribute to debt of small businesses and Indigenous women and their families.
In our research, lived experience as vendors and relationships with hundreds of Indigenous artists, most vendors report that sometimes it is worth it to incur such costs because they are able to return home with $1000 in sales.
1) vendors shouldn’t have to pay table fees for funded events,
2) $1000 is gross estimate; net profit would be at least half, likely less than half,
3) vendors often go deep into debt at urban events (credit cards for hotels, etc.).
Vendors don't complain. Vendors/Indigenous women artists may not contact you directly for many possible reasons:
• they're afraid to lose their spot, their livelihood depends on it,
• they're afraid to create conflict, afraid to be labeled as a ‘disturber’,
• they're uncomfortable, perhaps even intimidated by you,
• they're afraid you will treat them differently at the next event.
• they just don’t have the resources/skills to write/send emails.
Indigenous vendors further marginalized at events meant to restore individual and community health. It is my hope that these conferences are held with good intention and for the promotion of Indigenous entrepreneurs and restoring economic abundance and community health. I hope that they are to uplift, enable and provide resources to Indigenous peoples. Unfortunately we observe that vendors are further marginalized these conferences and experience extreme financial harms.
Government funding is tax dollars meant to improve circumstances for Indigenous Peoples. Any organization who is awarded government grants for Indigenous events knows that the funding is meant to improve circumstances for Indigenous peoples. Any organization who receives sponsorship funding from corporations, should use common sense and practice equitable distribution.
Non Profit mandates are to create equity. All non profit organizations should understand that equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances. Equitable outcomes often require differential treatment and resource redistribution so as to achieve a level playing field among all individuals and communities. This requires recognizing and addressing barriers to to provide opportunity for all individuals and communities to thrive.
Government funding (tax dollars) is meant to enhance the lives of Indigenous peoples. When your event is meant to equitably improve the circumstances of Indigenous peoples then you are obligated to do that.
Indigenous Women's Arts Conference 2019-2023, Ottawa. Vendor fee FREE $0.00 for 120 vendors. Indigenous Arts Collective 2023 revenue $399,597.00. 2023 event funding: Ontario Arts Council $22,000, Heritage Canada $99,915.
There is nothing wrong with watching vendors put their earnings directly into their pockets; it should make ANY event facilitator extremely happy to be able to help.
In closing,
Events are very important and provide wonderful sales and networking opportunities for Indigenous artists and vendors. We don’t want to see it end, we want to see change.
The IACC would be happy to help facilitate the vendor portion of events, create conference booklets and signage if help is what you need.
We enter this conversation with good mind and concern for Indigenous women’s health.
We hope you take this advice in a good way and reach back to us for further discussion.
Make change, create equity for Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous Identities
This organization is transparent and authentic.
Authenticity
Indigenous Identity
Transparency
People who perpetuate the myth that Indigenous identity is self determined and not reliant on any relationships with Indigenous nations/tribes or communities are now called 'pretendians' or 'race shifters'. Many of these organizations and individuals are getting access to funding that is meant for Indigenous organizations, peoples and communities. The IACC stands firm in our strategy of transparency; all IACC members are required to validate their identity. Learn more...