Many people are turning towards online shopping this year — but why limit yourselves to big-box stores and cheap gifts? This is an opportunity to support local, Canadian, and authentic Indigenous businesses. Ditch the “Native-inspired”, mass-produced products, and check out these must-have gifts from Indigenous brands.
This is a quarterly subscription box — so it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Every three months, you or someone you love will receive a curated, beautifully-packed gift box with luxury full-size items from various Indigenous-owned brands. Raven Reads always includes a book from an Indigenous author. A one-time gift, and children’s subscription boxes are also available.
Read Road Clothing is 100% Indigenous-owned and based in Winnipeg, MB. But their traditional-inspired designs are gaining popularity across North America. One of their most requested items is the Under the Moon hoodie.
“Inspired by Native legends and ingredients.” Sequoia is a beauty brand that is 100% owned and operated by Indigenous women. Founded in 2002 by Michaelee Lazore, Sequoia prides themselves on incorporating traditional medicines in their handmade soaps, candles, bath bombs and more. Everything is made right here in Canada, and each product has a story to tell.
REMINDER: Whether you are Indigenous or non-Indigenous, it’s OK to appreciate Native culture. It’s OK to buy beadwork; it’s OK to wear our clothing. Just be sure to support authentic Indigenous artists and their communities.
Best known for their stylish jackets and Alpaca wool-blend blankets, OldTribes is based in Edmonton, AB. They also support local artisans by featuring unique, handmade moccasins and beadwork in their shop! #MadeInAlberta. Thousands of people across North America are showing their support by ordering their selfie-worthy masks. This young couple even got engaged while wearing them!
This is an art collective based in Yellowknife, NT… which means you’re going to have the most unique gift, like, ever. With everything from casual clothing to wearable sealskin accessories, you know each gift will be high-quality and authentically Indigenous.
With an amazing range of shades, Cheekbone Beauty has quickly become one of the internet’s favourite liquid lipsticks! The high-quality, cruelty-free-formula product is the perfect stocking-stuffer for the makeup lover on your list. Not only does Cheekbone give back to the community through donations, they also now offer lipsticks with biodegradable packaging and sustainable ingredients! So it’s a win-win for you and our planet.
This Canadian brand is known internationally for their quality threads, especially for the stylish guy in your life. Their designs are original and can be worn by everyone. They have embroidered snapback hats, shirts, sweats, water bottles and other unique products.
We also wanted to include this note from SECTION 35, who says that by supporting authentic Indigenous businesses: “You are ensuring that we continue to be heard and seen, and are not forgotten. You are supporting Indigenous people’s ability to create sustainable businesses, while helping to combat the massive amount of ongoing appropriation that happens to our people’s work.”
Indigo Arrows is an Anishinaabe-owned interior design company based in Manitoba. The line is inspired by the patterns and designs of the ancestors, to bring traditional Indigenous art into your home. They have a variety of “modern home goods”, from their oh-so-popular throw pillows, to stylish linens and napkins for your gatherings.
With a focus on traditional Cree teachings and medicines, Mother Earth Essentials has been a favourite for gift-giving amongst Indigenous peoples for years. But trust me, there’s something for everyone. They offer a wide range of unisex products, including aromatherapy, handmade soaps, and even haircare! Each item’s ingredients have a meaning and a purpose.
Algonquin Tea is not your average tea company. All natural and wild-grown, they have a variety of teas with magical names like Sacred Blend and Sweetfern Tonic. The brand is committed to providing authentically Canadian ingredients, hand-picked in the wilderness. They offer affordable loose tea and tea bags in different sizes.
Based in Vancouver, Sisters Sage is owned by two sisters, Lynn-Marie and Melissa-Rae Angus. They are of Gitxaala, Nisga’a, and Métis descent. The company focuses on bringing handmade wellness products to the masses, including their popular “Smokeless Smudge” spray and their traditional salves. Like many of the brands on our list, they have a passion for sustainable and natural ingredients. They also offer gift sets!
One of the biggest trends of 2020 has officially been Indigenized. Kokom is the Cree word for “grandmother”, but the term has been adopted by many cultures across Turtle Island.
The scrunchies are inspired by the traditional “kokom scarf”, which has become a trend of its own:
Handcrafted in British Columbia, you may have seen the Monague Native Crafts logo at some point during your travels. That’s because their dreamcatchers and delicate jewellery can be found in airports and tourist stops across the country. Each dreamcatcher is special, and hand-woven with care. They also offer kits for kids to create their own!
This internationally popular Indigenous-owned brand is based in Winnipeg, MB and has built its name by providing high-quality (not to mention warm AF) mukluks and mocs. “Mocs” is short for “moccasins’’ — which have been imitated by pretty much EVERY shoe company. But no one does it better than the originals. Manitobah Mukluks are known to be long-lasting with a waterproof option AND they have a one-year warranty. Often imitated, never duplicated… They also offer super high-quality gauntlets, wallets, and more.
Belcourt is a global sensation; because she brings the Métis culture into her art and everything she does. She is well-known for her floral, colourful work. Right now, Christi Belcourt is collaborating with Montréal-based Leblond to make her designs even more accessible.
Ojibwe is owned and operated by Rachel Seenie, who believes anyone can wear her products; even if they aren’t Ojibwe. They have pigmented makeup palettes, lipsticks, brushes, and even a setting spray. The ever-popular Ojibwe Bling tank (pictured) and leggings are also available in Métis, Cree, Jamaica, Portugal and more, and they have face-covers, too.
