Cape Breton craft business program offers education sessions for Mi’kmaw creatives

A new initiative seeks to aid Indigenous artists and crafters from Cape Breton’s five Mi’kmaw communities build their business acumen.

The Build Your Craft Business program is currently taking applications for a six-session journey through the world of running your own sustainable craft business, teaching everything from how to sell and price work, branding and social media, product photography, and even intellectual property and copyright.

It will also offer several opportunities to its five chosen participants: an opportunity to participate in the Craft East Wholesale Show in Halifax free-of-charge, cost-covered business registration, brand design work, and $150 per session for a total of six sessions.

Also offered is mentorship from Mi’kmaq/Wampanoag artist Nancy Oakley, the founder of Oakleaves Native Creations. Oakley specializes in smoke-fired pieces and traditional pottery.

The program was created in a partnership with the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, Mawi’Art: Wabanaki Artist Collective, and the Craft Alliance. It’s supported by a sponsorship from TD Banks.

The sessions will take place in-person at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design in Sydney, with a few virtual sessions scheduled near the end of the program. It’s set to run from Nov. 6 to Feb. 9.

According to Lori Burke, executive director of the Centre for Craft and Design, this program is one part of the centre’s series of Mi’kmaw craft development workshops.

“It’s been a great way for us to work towards reconciliation while providing opportunities for Mi’kmaq people to lead programs, instruct in quill making, basket making, beading, and so forth in their community,” says Burke.

For artists who run their own small business, it becomes about more than just the craft itself.

“They’re very unlike other entrepreneurs because they make their products,” said Burke. “They have to learn how to sell it. They have to learn how to market it, have to go to these wholesale shows, buy their raw materials, do all of their promo, do their taxes.

“It’s many roles put into one,” she continued. “Then to have the time to be creative, to create the work.”

The purpose of the program is to help creatives navigate what it’s like to start a business around an artistic passion. As Burke describes it, “It’s a business school of craft.”

Paying artists for their time and giving them opportunities to get started through business registration and participation at the Craft East Wholesale Show is one part of helping artists get started on their journey.

“It’s an opportunity for people to start and provide the navigation, the pathway to get there,” said Burke.

Registration for the Build Your Craft Business program runs until Oct. 21, with Burke stating there have been quite a few submissions already. Applications can be found on the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design website. These applications can be written, recorded, done by phone or in person by contacting Burke at lori@capebretoncraft.com.