The season of giving has arrived, and what better way to support local than by picking out a few gifts from some Indigenous-owned businesses? Not only will you find all kinds of creative, ethically made gifts for your loved ones, but you’ll also learn more about the local Indigenous cultures and communities in your area. Whether you’re looking for a new art piece, a cozy hoodie, or sustainable skincare, you’ll find it all at these Indigenous-owned brands from across the country.

Section 35

Section 35 is a streetwear brand based on the Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Founded by Nipisihkopahk designer Justin Louis, you’ll find a mix of tees, hoodies, bomber jackets, hats, and cargo pants with anti-colonial messaging.

Resist Clothing

With a slogan of “ready to decolonize your closet?” Resist Clothing definitely knows how to set the scene. Headquartered in Sagamok First Nation with a warehouse in Toronto, the streetwear brand offers an array of #LandBack apparel, hoodies and sweaters, orange shirts, and other products with statement designs.

Massy Books

Vancouver’s very first Indigenous-owned bookstore, Massy Books, started as a way for founder Patricia Massy to supplement her income during her university years. Today, Massy Books is more than just a bookstore; it’s a gathering space and community hub that spotlights issues that deserve collective focus, regularly fundraising for relief efforts in Indigenous communities across Canada and beyond.

Cheekbone Beauty

A leader in the beauty world, Cheekbone Beauty is known for its cruelty-free, vegan, high-quality makeup. You can check out its signature Sustain line of lipsticks and eye pencils or face, lip, or eye kits on its website, or at Sephora locations across the country.

Sisters Sage 

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 Tsimshian-owned brand uses traditional Indigenous ingredients like cedar, lavender, and sage to create soothing soaps and “smudge sprays,” salves, bath bombs, and more. Since its inception in 2018, the business has gone on to win multiple titles, including Indigenous Business of the Year 2022.

Hudson and Oak 

Hand-poured candles, unique silverware, and inventive ceramics and dishes are just some of the items you’ll find at women-owned Hudson and Oak. Based just outside of Vancouver, the brand operates on the Unceded Territory of the S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō) peoples, and its founder is of plains Cree descent, from the Amiskwacīwiyiniwak region (Saddle Lake, Alberta).

I-Hos Gallery

I-Hos Gallery is owned by the K’ómoks Band, offering a collection of traditional and contemporary Northwest Coast artwork designed and created by Indigenous artists. Here, you’ll find a mix of jewellery, masks, wood and metal carvings, art prints, apparel, books, and more.

Native Northwest 

Every single piece of art featured by this collective is designed by Indigenous artists, including numerous Coast Salish makers offering a range of products. Whether you’re looking for a holiday card, a mug, a stationery set, or a pair of socks, there’s something for everyone in your life here.

Onquata

This 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, which can be used on the water or as wall decor.

Hinaani By Nooks Lindell

This family-focused brand was founded by a collective of artists from the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, and is now owned by Inuk designer Nooks Lindell, who creates digital graphic art, artisan goods, and clothing designs from his home studio. On his website, you’ll find a mix of functional clothing, hats, scarves, and accessories created from discarded and used materials.

Lodge Soy Candles 

Internationally renowned Indigenous artist Angela DeMontigny is known for a variety of mediums, but her soy candles make for an excellent gift for just about anyone. Lodge Soy Candles offers all-natural candles infused with essential oils, with special ceremony collections like “Winter Solstice Mawksa,” “Woodland Forest,” and “Matriarch” to choose from.

Standing Spruce  

Standing Spruce is 100 per cent Indigenous-owned and operated, utilizing plant medicine as the foundation for each of its healing face and body oils, balms, sprays, skin toners, soaps, and essential oils. All are ethically sourced from wild-harvested ingredients.

Aaniin 

Aaniin is a collective of multiple Indigenous brands, all of which reclaim space in colonized areas by creating visibility for Indigenous languages. Based in downtown Tkaronto (the Mohawk word for Toronto), “Assniin” translates to “hello” in Ojibwe, and features everything from hats and loungewear with printed syllabics to jewellery.

Indigo Arrows 

With patterns inspired by thousands of years of local Indigenous pottery and art in Manitoba, Indigo Arrows designs and creates contemporary home goods like throw blankets, pillows, quilts, linen, and carpets. The perfect addition to any home!

Totem Design House 

Created by Haida and Cree siblings Erin and Jesse Brillon, this 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 its products take a similar approach and include fine art prints, jewellery, and wellness products.

Black Elk Arts

This Alberta-based arts studio not only offers jewellery, local arts, and crafts by local Indigenous artisans, but it also offers lapidary and silversmith courses to those interested, as well as tours of its studio, where guests can find authentically made moccasins, ammolite, and sterling silver jewellery.

Sriracha Revolver

On the hunt for an extra spicy gift? Check out Sriracha Revolver, which sells incredible hot sauce flavours that pack a punch. Created by Jordan Hocking of the Sweetgrass First Nation, you’ll find hot sauces like its classic Habanero Hot Sauce and unique blends like Beets + Tequila Sriracha.

Sapling & Flint

Situated in the heart of Ohswé:ken, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory (Ontario), Sapling & Flint is a Kanyen’kehà:ka-owned brand specializing in gold and sterling silver jewellery. Since its inception in 2017, an annual portion of its profits has gone towards cultural revitalization projects in the Six Nations community, including Haudenosaunee language immersion programs, longhouse building projects, youth Lacrosse tournaments, and much more.

North Okanagan Apparel

This Indigenous co-owned apparel brand began during the pandemic and is run by a husband and wife duo from Vernon. Its collection of casual hoodies and T-shirts is perfect for a camping or hiking trip, taking inspiration from all the fun and ruggedness of outdoor culture in B.C. To complete the look, check out its baseball caps, toques, and beverage tumblers.

Decolonial Clothing  

Here’s another great apparel brand known for its anti-colonial messaging. Decolonial Clothing is known for its Landback Collection of tees, crewnecks, and hoodies, as well as its Big Bear and Justice collections. The latter donates 50 per cent of the proceeds to Land Back Healing Society.

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).

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Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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