A good Black Friday deal is hard to pass up, but so are the amazing small businesses that work tirelessly to produce quality products, that aren’t necessarily on our radar every time we go shopping. This holiday season, check out these Indigenous-owned brands when you’re thinking about how to support local. From handcrafted jewelry to casual apparel, pottery, winter gear, and more – here are 15 gift ideas from Indigenous-owned brands across Canada.
Section 35
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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 many of their products include anti-colonial messaging.
Cost: $12 to $50
Wallets and fashion from Dorothy Grant LTD
Another BC-founded brand, Dorothy Grant LTD is internationally renowned, created by fashion designer and traditional Haida artist, Dorothy Grant. The brand has a stunning selection of clothing that embodies the Haida philosophy, Yaanguadang, meaning “self-respect.” That feeling is the driving force behind her popular silk scarves, leather bags, slim wallets, card holders and clothing designs.
Cost: $25 to $295
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
Resist Clothing
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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
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
Ay Lelum
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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, including 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
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North Okanagan Apparel
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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 B.C. Check out their collection of baseball caps, toques, and beverage tumblers to complete the look.
Cost: $30 to $45
Platter from I-Hos Gallery
I-Hos Gallery has a mix of different carvings, woven goods, jewelry, and more to offer shoppers. For a more affordable gift option, check out their 12-inch platters made from recycled glass with an eagle and orca design. Created by artist Corrine Hunt, this design is based upon the physical depiction of air meeting water: A drop of water creates a swirl as the air affects its surface.
Cost: $87
T&T Dreamcatcher Kit
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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
Bedspreads, hand-warmers and more from 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
Cheekbone Beauty
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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
Barrel-aged maple syrup from Wabanaki Maple
Give the ultimate gift of Canada this holiday season, courtesy of Wabanaki Maple. The 100% female-owned Indigenous brand offers a variety of Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup products that would make the perfect gift to unwrap and use on Christmas morning. 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: $150
Totem Design House
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Last but certainly not least, 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, of course, blends the iconic Star Wars character with Indigenous art. Many of their products take a similar approach, and include fine art prints, jewelry, and wellness products.
Cost: $35 to $115+
And that’s a wrap on some amazing Indigenous-owned brands to support this holiday season. Happy shopping!
