Amanda Bernard
Indigenous Art Journey | Toronto, Ontario
Amanda Bernard, a proud member of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, is the Founder of Shawish Market. This decolonized e-commerce platform eliminates vendor fees, removing barriers for Indigenous artists. Based in Tkaronto, ON, Amanda launched Shawish to create an authentic and supportive space where Indigenous creators can thrive. She was recognized as a 2024 The Peak Emerging Leader, with Shawish Market honoured as a 2023 MIT Solve Fellow. Amanda maintains deep ties to her roots in Ottawa, ON, and Edmundston, NB. Honouring her ancestors, she reclaimed the original family name Shawish, which settlers historically changed to Bernard.
About the Project
Shawish Market will host a free Indigenous art event in Toronto featuring hands-on workshops, a vibrant vendor marketplace, and complimentary coffee, tea, and pastries. Open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members, the event creates a welcoming space to learn about and experience authentic Indigenous art. Attendees will engage directly with Indigenous artists, participate in cultural workshops such as beading, and explore a curated marketplace where artists keep 100% of their earnings. By centering Indigenous voices, the event fosters cultural exchange, civic engagement, and social inclusion while uplifting Indigenous entrepreneurship and artistic expression in a supportive community environment.