Qualicum Trading Post

I'm a white guy. Heard about the hustle and bustle from some native buddies. Went to check it out not that long ago. Thought, this isn't that bad, tried to ask them a few questions and my opinion changed real quick. I can see why natives don't like this family selling native art. Super disrespectful people. Feel bad about doubting my buddies on it.
7 years ago (02-05-2018)

Great selection of authentic native art! Respectfully displayed and fair prices. It is quite amazing that there were 10 poor reviews of this buisiness submitted all at the same time exactly 3 weeks ago?
7 years ago (28-04-2018)

chines made stuff call in native art and out source the work owner not native tourist trap over priced good wood carvings
7 years ago (03-04-2018)

I recently went to Qualicum Beach Trading Post to find sweetgrass. Upon entering the store, i quickly realized the "native art" came in boxes and wasn't authentic. I asked her how much the sweetgrass was and she said ten dollars a braid? so i was going to ask her another question and she immediately responded with "complaints are next door" she assumed i was going to complain so i left. i felt uneasy about this business so went back in and asked her if she was was from the area and she said no i'm not native. she had a condescending dismissive rude tone with me and her daughters- i'm assuming - stood there smirking st me. so i left and went next door to get my friends to leave and they both followed me out chirping at me. i told my friend this was a bad business and this woman kept back talking me so i ignored her and walked to my van. she went "hey" as i walked by like i owed her a response. her husband walked out with a smirk on his face and said he has one native carver working for him. i'd like to point out these shop owners are white and have nothing indigenous about them. she also yelled at me that she was not on reserve land and could do what she wanted. they knew i was native and gave me attitude . i asked them if they felt it was appropriate to capitalize on aboriginal culture when they aren't native and he kept repeating he had a native carver. can i ask why these business are a thing and why white people can disrespect me and my culture for profit? this is unacceptable and i'm disgusted with this behaviour and these kinds of businesses. how can i shut this down. i'm done being talked down to by horrible people like that disrespecting my people. help. her daughter flipped me the bird as i left.
7 years ago (10-04-2018)

I didn't want to say anything negative about this place, but seeing other peoples' concerns, I want to talk about how much this place harmed me and other natives. A while ago, my family walked in, and realized that white people were working the counter.That's no big deal, but they started to glare us down, and get suspicious. I was with my kids, we were just looking around. She finally came up, and I asked her if it was local art, and she got really defensive. It's one thing to sell my peoples' art, when my people really need the profits themselves, but it's another to treat me and my people so terribly for doing absolutely nothing. It's sad that you are okay with selling art from a culture you obviously do not trust.
7 years ago (03-04-2018)