T-R PHOTO BY VANESSA ROUDABUSH Meskwaki artist Kayla Wanatee, a student at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, N.M., uses her art to “bring honor to my people and portray us in the way we see ourselves.” Kayla’s work can be found on Instagram at talkingthundercreations.

TAMA — On Dec. 16 and 17 at the Meskwaki Tribal Center, local crafters gathered for the Meskwaki Holiday Vendor and Craft Fair.

Quinton Pushentonequa helped organize this event after the Holiday Expo was canceled this year.

“We try to hold a craft fair every year. We’ve been doing this for the last 10 years. We just contact local crafters and ask if they’d like to set up,” Pushentonequa said. “It’s nothing too big or extravagant, it just lets us get together and sell our crafts.”

A variety of booths sold Native American crafts ranging from beadwork to regalia, baked goods to stuffed animals, star quilts to screen printed tees and much more. Vendors such as Beading by Court, Beaded Bling, Inka Soul, Midnight Bear Trading, Talking Thunder Creations, Lanyards by Lo, Beadwork by Lyrik, Oldbear Designs, and Good Feather Designs showcased their crafts for last minute holiday shoppers.

The Meskwaki Holiday Vendor and Craft Fair provides a space for local Indigenous artists to showcase and sell their art within their community.

“We’re all artists in our family. This is just a good time and fun for us,” said Pushentonequa, the owner of Midnight Bear Trading. His screen printed t-shirts can be found at www.midnightbeartrading.com.