La Guilde

Why it matters: La Guilde is a charitable non-profit founded in 1906 that exists to preserve and promote Inuit, First Nations and Metis art alongside Canadian fine craft – for 120 years it has worked to build a sustainable market for handmade art, with a focus on work by women and Indigenous artists. That makes it the rare gallery where buying a piece is the point rather than a gift-shop afterthought. Come for the rotating exhibitions and the permanent collection, then browse the available works – stone and bone sculpture, textiles, ceramics and jewellery, priced from small pieces up to serious collector work. Practical tip: it is closed Sundays and Mondays and does not open until noon Tuesday to Friday (10am on Saturday), though staff will open by appointment from 10am if you call ahead.