From Bannock to Hot Sauce, Chocolate to Soap, These Makers Bring Culture, Community, and Creativity to the Farmers’ Market
At the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Vancouver, Indigenous-owned businesses are offering more than just delicious food or beautiful products. They are are sharing stories, cultural knowledge, and a strong sense of community. These vendors bring their heritage and passion to everything they make, offering market goers an opportunity to engage with Indigenous foodways, art, and entrepreneurship in an authentic and meaningful way.
Here are four Indigenous vendors you don’t want to miss:
Big City Bannock
“We love to feed the People.”
When you arrive at Big City Bannock’s booth, the scent of simmering stews and frying bannock will likely pull you in before you even see the sign. This family-owned business, rooted in the Nlaka’pamux Nation, is beloved for its hearty and homey offerings like elk tacos, sockeye salmon chowder, venison stew, candied salmon, huckleberry lemonade, and of course, fresh, fluffy bannock.
“We love to feed people,” the family shares. “And we love to provide bannock to those who have grown up on it, and to introduce bannock to those who haven’t tried it before.”
“Vancouver is our home and we love it here,” they say. “Our huckleberry bannock is loved by all! We are here to grow with Vancouver.”
At their stall, food becomes a bridge between cultures, generations, and communities. Whether you’ve eaten bannock all your life or are trying it for the first time, Big City Bannock welcomes everyone to the table.
Cedar Hot Sauce
“I want to show our younger generation that anything is possible with hard work.”
Cedar Hot Sauce is not your average condiment. Created by an Indigenous entrepreneur with a background in agriculture and fine dining, these sauces are bold, vibrant, and thoughtfully made, incorporating traditional plant medicines with fresh hot peppers.
“Peppers were a byproduct of experimenting and breeding my own pepper cultivars,” the founder shares. “And hot sauce is a byproduct of my passion of showcasing unique ingredients for my community.”
This mission goes far beyond flavour. Cedar Hot Sauce is about reclaiming and elevating Indigenous foodways — reconnecting people of Turtle Island with the plants and ingredients that have nourished communities for generations. “My goal is to connect people of Turtle Island with the food Indigenous to Turtle Island. Elevating food into the 21st century, while bringing the community along with me.”
As the business grows, so does the responsibility. “I am aware that I am a role model for Indigenous youth,” they say. “I’ve learned that this is a large responsibility, and that’s what inspires me to become successful.”
Hype Chocolate
“Welcome to the Hype!”
Bold, unexpected, and community-driven, Hype Chocolate is changing what chocolate can be. Founded in 2022 by Scott Symons and Marlayna Pincott, this Indigenous-owned business blends streetwear culture, artistic expression, and high-end chocolate-making into a brand that’s as fun as it is flavourful.
Scott, an avid sneakerhead and seasoned chocolatier, channels his love for rare finds and big flavours into every bar and bite. His co-founder, Marlayna, brings a strong creative background in art, fashion, and film, plus a deep commitment to community.
“Especially with the way our store is displayed and how our team are trained with making sure every person coming in feels welcome and included,” Marlayna explains. That welcoming energy is reflected in Hype’s brand, which is committed to inclusivity on every level. Marlayna is also active in Indigenous community projects including Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week and Super Naturals Modelling Agency.
Together, they’ve built a brand that’s playful, inclusive, and distinctly rooted in culture. Whether it’s through their packaging, collaborations, or one-of-a-kind flavour combos, Hype Chocolate brings joy and purpose to every product.
RavenSong Soap & Candle
“Together, we celebrate the memories of Indigenous Peoples, our ancestral stories, and inspiration across our traditional homelands.”
Stepping into the RavenSong world is like stepping into ceremony through scent, storytelling, and self-care. Founded by Valerie Lamirande, also known as Silnga a Jaada (“Creative Girl”), this Indigenous wellness brand is grounded in cultural knowledge, community spirit, and high standards for natural skincare.
RavenSong creates cold-processed soaps using organic, wildcrafted, and ethical ingredients, along with herbal sea bath salts, bath bombs, and candles in partnership with Bear Essential Oils. The products are award-winning and luxurious, but at the heart of it all is a mission: to honour Indigenous healing traditions and pass knowledge down through generations.
As Valerie transitions into a mentorship role, she is working closely to ensure RavenSong continues to thrive while staying true to its roots. “At RavenSong, we invite your spirit to connect with us through the power of scent,” the brand shares. “Together, we celebrate the memories of Indigenous Peoples, our ancestral stories and inspiration across our traditional homelands.”
RavenSong reflects the richness of the Haida, Nisga’a, Wet’suwet’en, and We Wai Kum First Nations, and invites customers to connect more deeply with the land, their senses, and Indigenous traditions.
From food and flavour to wellness and design, these Indigenous-owned businesses at the Vancouver Downtown Farmers’ Market are doing more than selling their products. They’re storytelling, innovating, and uplifting community. We’re honoured to support their success, and we hope you’ll stop by and do the same.
You can find all four of these vendors at the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Vancouver on select Wednesdays throughout the summer. Since vendor schedules can vary, be sure to check the latest lineup at eatlocal.org/markets/downtown before you go.