Supporting Indigenous-owned brands over the holidays is a great way to discover new small businesses and find truly unique gifts for your loved ones. And while a good Black Friday deal is hard to pass up, supporting local always pays off in more ways than one.
So with that in mind – from handcrafted jewelry to makeup, candles and apparel – here are 18 gift ideas from Indigenous-owned brands across Canada.
Cheekbone Beauty
View this post on Instagram
This Indigenous-owned cosmetics company launched in 2016, and has since skyrocketed in the beauty world, thanks to its cruelty-free, vegan, high-quality makeup products. You can check out their signature SUSTAIN line of lipsticks and eye pencils or Warrior Women liquid lipsticks on their website, or at Sephora locations across the country.
Cost: $20 to $70
Section 35
This Indigenous streetwear brand is based on the Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, founded by Nipisihkopahk designer Justin Louis. From T-shirts and hoodies to bomber jackets and cargo pants, this brand has plenty of different contemporary styles to choose from. And as a bonus, many of its products include anti-colonial messaging.
Cost: $60 to $299
Sisters Sage
As the name suggests, Sisters Sage was formed by sisters Lynn-Marie and Melissa Rae-Angus to celebrate their Gitxaala, Nisga’a, and Metis heritage through self-care and wellness products. The brand uses traditional Indigenous ingredients like cedar, lavender, and sage to create soothing soaps and “smudge sprays,” salves, bath bombs, and more.
Cost: $11.50 to $42
MINI TIPI
View this post on Instagram
This Canadian brand operates locally in Gatineau, created back in 2016 by Trisha Pitura (from the Nipissing First Nation), and Melanie Bernard (from Quebec City of settler descent). The brand collaborates with Indigenous artists across the country to design beautiful textiles to be used for reversible blankets, bags, scarves, shawls, mittens, and more.
Cost: $58 to $209
Resist Clothing
With a slogan of “ready to decolonize your closet?” Resist Clothing definitely knows how to set the scene. Based in Toronto on the traditional territories of the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nations, the Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat peoples – the brand offers an array of #LandBack apparel, hoodies and sweaters, orange shirts, and other products with statement designs.
Cost: $37.99 to $53.99
Sriracha Revolver
If you’re looking for an extra spicy gift idea this season (and we mean that literally), check out Sriracha Revolver. Created by Jordan Hocking, a proud member of the Sweetgrass First Nation, the brand has everything from a classic Habanero Hot Sauce to intriguing sauces like the Beets + Tequila Sriracha.
Cost: $9 to $28
Onquata
View this post on Instagram
This 100% Indigenous and women-owned brand was created by mother-daughter duo Lise and Lara. Together, they drew inspiration from their own ancestral knowledge and matriarchal traditions to create an array of hand-painted paddles – either as decor or for use on the water. Onquata also offers a range of handcrafted outdoor accessories, from a fly fishing case to a leather handbag.
Cost: $95 to $220
Jewelry from Black Elk Arts
This Alberta-based arts studio not only offers jewelry, local arts, and crafts by local Indigenous artisans, but they also offer lapidary and silversmith courses to those interested. And tours of their studio, where guests can find authentically made moccasins, ammolite, and sterling silver jewelry.
Cost: $30 to $800
LODGE Soy Candles
View this post on Instagram
Internationally renowned Indigenous Canadian artist Angela DeMontigny may be known for her custom-made leather clothing collections and statement jewelry, but her soy candle collections come in at a close second. LODGE Soy Candles produces all-natural candles infused with essential oils, with special ceremony collections like “Winter Solstice Mawksa” and “Matriarch” to choose from.
Cost: $45 to $74
Birch Bark Coffee Company
For the coffee aficionado – check out organic, fair-trade coffee beans from Birch Bark Coffee Company, which is both First Nations-owned and operated. Oh, and they now sell their roasts at Costco, so there’s no easier way to get your hands on some delicious, fresh-roasted coffee!
Cost: $17 for 12 ounces
Ay Lelum
This second-generation Coast Salish Design House is often featured at Vancouver Fashion Week, and for very good reason. Sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good and brother Joel Good have inherited the legacy of their parents, Snuneymuxw Hereditary Chief Dr. William Good and Sandra Moorhouse-Good, designing a mix of formal and casual wear, including jackets, shawls, dresses, and more. The brand is committed to sustainable and ethical practices, while following cultural protocols to translate Coast Salish art onto clothing.
Cost: $130 to $185+
Mukluks by Atikuss
Created by Shen-Mishen as a tribute to Caribou, these leather mittens are made for the harshest of winters, made from traditional materials like seal fur, pearl and bone with a sheep interior. Cozy is definitely the operative word here.
Cost: $450
Yukon Soaps Company
Handcrafted by Joella Hogan and her team in Mayo, Yukon, Yukon Soaps has an array of bath & body and wellness products. This includes essential oil blends, artisan soap bars, and more. Each soap is crafted with fireweed leaves and Labrador tea, packaged in ornate boxes honouring the legacies of Ihtsu (grandmother in the Northern Tutchone language).
Cost: $10 to $20
Recent Posts:
Here are 3 spots for Indigenous cuisine to check out in & around Vancouver
7 Indigenous-owned businesses you should check out in Calgary
North Okanagan Apparel
View this post on Instagram
This Indigenous co-owned apparel brand began during the pandemic and is run by a husband and wife duo from Vernon. Their collection of casual hoodies and T-shirts is perfect for a camping or hiking trip, taking inspo from all the fun and ruggedness of outdoor culture in BC.
Cost: $30 to $45
T&T Dreamcatcher Kit
T&T Dreamcatchers recently launched its do-it-yourself dreamcatcher kits for beginners, which makes for a fun activity for families and children. For a gift that is equally beautiful as it is a learning and bonding experience, this is a great option. Each kit includes one pre-wrapped metal 5” ring, cording, ribbon, pony beads, feathers and gemstones in a variety of colours.
Cost: $30
Aurora Heat
The Dragon family grew up in temperatures that would dip to –40 degrees Celsius, but they were never cold. That’s because mother, Jane Dragon, would make hats, mittens, moccasins and parkas using wild fur. Now, Brenda Dragon is bringing that way of life to consumers with a collection of hand, foot, head, and body warmers.
Cost: $25 to $295
Totem Design House
Now, we come to Totem Design House, created by Haida and Cree siblings Erin and Jesse Brillon. Their clothing line includes screen-printed shirts, tanks, hoodies, and more, all with re-imagined traditional animal crests of the Northwest Coast Peoples. An example includes the “Respect Your Elders, You Must” T-shirt, which blends the iconic Star Wars character with Indigenous art. Many of their products take a similar approach, including fine art prints, jewelry, and wellness products.
Cost: $35 to $115+
Wabanaki Maple
This 100% female-owned Indigenous brand offers a variety of Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup products. Their signature line includes maple syrup products of bourbon, whiskey, and toasted oak – a twist on traditional harvesting culture. Located on Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), Wabanaki Maple is proud to share a taste of their culture (and the Wabanaki Confederacy) in every bottle.
Cost: $9.95+
And that’s a wrap on some amazing Indigenous-owned brands to support this holiday season. Happy shopping!
