Neechi Commons features groceries, a restaurant, bakery and a local community art centre.


“We are well-known for our oven-fresh bannock, fresh and frozen wild blueberries, wild rice and local fruits and vegetables,” adds Champagne. “Manitoba-caught fish, spe- cialty jams, hand-crafted moccasins, Aboriginal artwork and children’s books, all these things that, together, make us really unique in the city.” When you pull up, you’re greeted with a large parking


area on the 50,000 square foot lot. As you walk through the doors of Neechi Commons, you enter into what is known as the Tree Sisters courtyard. A colourful array of fruits and vegetables are the first things you see, which was a de- sign feature that was purposely done to promote more of a healthy lifestyle, says Champagne. “Tey're really colourful and people have to walk through this to find anything else,” adds Champagne. “Usually the first thing you see when you go into other grocery stores is that the produce, the meat, the bakery, they're all on the outside, and we wanted more people to see the healthier options first.” Turning to the left is Kookum’s Bakery where the aroma


of fresh, homemade bannock, fry bread, and even some bannock pizza will guide you right up to the counter to order some of your favourites. At the back of the courtyard is a beautiful wall painting that symbolizes the spirit of Tree Sisters Fruit & Vege- tables Courtyard. Tree Sisters refers to the classic indig- enous vegetables, corn, beans and squash, which grew only in the Americas before European contact. Te painting was done as a gift to the Neechi Commons by renowned artist, Jackie Traverse. With barbecue season about to be upon us, you’ll be hard


pressed to find lower-priced, quality meats than in their meat department. From bison to burgers, and made-to-or- der meat packs, butcher Gilbert Kohlman takes great pride in making sure you’re getting the highest quality meat. “Te bison we get is 100% from Manitoba, and 99% of


all the meat we bring in is all Manitoba-based meat,” says Kohlman. “We’re Manitobans, supporting Manitobans and that’s something we take great pride in.” Champagne says that when non-indigenous folks shop


at Neechi Commons “genuine reconciliation” occurs. Tis is because both the customers and the staff are involved in mutually beneficial economic exchange that fosters cross- cultural respect. After you’ve finished all your grocery shopping, there’s a


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spiral staircase planted in the middle of the courtyard that will bring you up to the BisonBerry Restaurant. An eleva- tor is available if you are unable to use the staircase so that nobody will miss out. Te restaurant, which seats 60 people, features large bright windows looking out towards down- town Winnipeg and some historic Main Street buildings. Te menu is filled with a variety of authentic indigenous cuisine, plus many other favourites to appease even the pickiest eaters. Whether it’s a small gathering for lunch, or a full banquet-style dinner, Neechi Commons has got you covered. “Something many people may not know is we also do ca-


tering, and can cater events of close to 100 people, such as full course Christmas dinners, which we have done in the past,” Champagne says. “We do in-house catering, but can also cater events outside of Neechi Commons as well.” After your meal, you can head over to Neechi Niche Arts and Cultural Centre also on the upper-level. Te store fea- tures Aboriginal, Metis, Inuit and local community-based contemporary art. Te space is part gallery and part shop where you will also find art and craft supplies, a book shop, and Northern Star blanket makers. What’s even more unique is that most of the art in the store is featured by people who live within a 14-block radius of Neechi Com- mons – something very important to Champagne. “Te amount of talent in our community is really amaz-


ing,” says Champagne. “Our goal is to support and promote established and emerging Aboriginal, Metis, Inuit and community based artists by enriching appreciation of our culture and inspire creation. We want the Neechi Niche to be a hub for artists, art makers, and art appreciators.” Neechi Commons is increasingly drawing customers from other areas of the city and out of town. Tis includes ship- ping to remote northern indigenous communities. With the assistance of the Nutrition North Canada program, they are helping to lower the price of meats, produce, dairy products and other healthy foods in the north, while expanding its sales to Winnipeg restaurants and other institutions. It’s been over 27 years since Neechi Foods Co-Op first opened its old corner store. Today’s Neechi Commons is a hidden gem that continues to create jobs and opportu- nities for people in the North End. Te next time you’re downtown, take the five-minute drive down Main Street just under the CPR tracks to Neechi Commons. You’ll be very happy you did.


Summer 2017 • 15


Photo by Bill Burfoot.


Photo by Brenlee Coates.


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