A Pearls’ Value & Vintage auction fundraiser has raised $1,250 for a new Elders-in-Residence program.
Locals bid on 13 donated Indigenous artworks with one of the items going for $310.
The thrift store launched the auction at the start of the month in support of PearlSpace which wrapped up on June 28.
Some of the donated art pieces included hand-carved wooden masks, and wall hangings; the most popular piece being a mask by Eddie Apodaca which had 17 of 92 bids.
Pearls’ Value & Vintage operations coordinator Valerie Nagy spoke to The Squamish Chief about the success of the auction.
“[The auction] is not really a money making venture … it was done out of respect for our local Squamish people—we're really happy with how it went,” she said.
“Every year, we want to showcase the art and traditions of the local people, so yeah, it's just a nice thing that we do together with some of the smaller spaces; it's just kind of a nice community effort for everybody.”
Funds from the auction will go directly towards PearlSpace’s yet-to-be-launched Elders-in-Residence program.
According to Pearls’ Value & Vintage social media, the Elders in Residence Program is a “key action from PearlSpace's 2024–2026 Decolonizing Action Plan, aimed at deepening our relationships with Host Nations.”
“Through this program, we hope to engage Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers to share traditional ways of being and healing with our staff and participants, and to help inform revisions to our policies and procedures,” their post reads.
“Elders-in-Residence programs across Canada play a vital role in integrating Indigenous knowledge, culture, and support within educational and community settings. These programs engage Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers to share traditional teachings, provide mentorship, and foster cultural understanding among students, staff, and the broader community.”
Bids in the auction were made online only, with artwork to be pick-up from the store itself.
Pearls’ also has a window display in honour of Indigenous History Month, which is in June.
The display was made in collaboration with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Elder Sisolia Donna Billy and local weavers Siyaltenaat Joy Joseph-Mccullough and Yususult Rosemarie Williams who loaned their hand-made shawls for the display.
Pearls’ Value & Vintage store is located on 38130 Cleveland Avenue.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday to Friday, and they take donations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day.
Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter.
This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
