Inez Cook, owner of the Salmon N’ Bannock restaurant, questioned who was behind the business and later visited the café. She said the food quality was poor and did not match what was advertised online.
The café later clarified that it is not Indigenous-owned but works with Indigenous food creators.
Cook said the situation is harmful to Indigenous businesses, especially as Vancouver welcomes visitors for the FIFA World Cup. She accused the café of profiting from Indigenous culture while offering low-quality products.
The café has since been ordered to close by Vancouver Coastal Health due to unsanitary conditions. The business has not publicly responded to the criticism.
