Photo via @sectionthirtyfive / Instagram
The season of giving is upon us, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by supporting local, Indigenous-owned businesses in Canada. Not only will you find unique, ethically made gifts for your loved ones, but you’ll also learn more about the diverse Indigenous cultures and communities in your area, and uplift their businesses. Trust us, the planet and your wallet will thank you!
Here are 22 gift ideas from Indigenous-owned brands across Canada to check out.
A leader in the beauty world, Cheekbone Beauty is known for its cruelty-free, vegan, high-quality makeup. You can check out their signature SUSTAIN line of lipsticks and eye pencils or a limited edition Gold Shimmer Duo that’s perfect for the holidays on their website, or at Sephora locations across the country.
Cost: $20 to $99
Aaniin is a collective of multiple Canadian 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 jewelry.
Looking for a great stocking stuffer? Check out the brand’s Kokom Scrunchies and neckties!
Cost: $10 to $110+
As its 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: $13 to $40 each
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.
This year, we’re leaning towards a warm, comfy hoodie for $60!
Cost: $37.99 to $59.99
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.
Cost: $60 to $299
This Alberta-based arts studio not only offers jewelry, local arts, and crafts by local Indigenous artisans, but also 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
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 – either as decor or for use on the water.
Cost: $95 to $220
This family-owned jewelry business is from the Blood Tribe in Southern Alberta, which is a part of the Blackfoot Nation. Here, you’ll find a range of authentic Indigenous crafts, art, and silver jewelry. Oh, and lapidary and silversmith courses for those interested!
Cost: $30 to $800
Internationally renowned Indigenous Canadian 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 produces all-natural candles infused with essential oils, with special ceremony collections like “Winter Solstice Mawksa,” “Woodland Forest,” and “Matriarch” to choose from.
Cost: $45 to $74
For the coffee aficionado in your life, check out the organic, fair-trade coffee beans from Birch Bark Coffee Company. 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: $17.99 for 12 ounces of coffee
Ay Leum is a clothing brand that uses sustainable practices and cultural protocols to translate Coast Salish art onto apparel. Often featured at Vancouver Fashion Week, the second-generation Coast Dalish Design House is now run by sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good and brother Joel Good, who inherited the house from Snuneymuxw Hereditary Chief Dr. William Good and Sandra Moorhouse-Good.
Visit their new retail space in Nanaimo or peruse their mix of formal and casual collections online.
Cost: $130 to $185+
Created by Shen-Mishen as a tribute to Caribou, these traditional mittens and footwear 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 key word here.
Cost: $480+
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
Here’s another great apparel brand known for its anticolonial 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% of the proceeds to Land Back Healing Society.
Cost: $45 to $80
Based in Vernon, BC, this apparel brand offers an array of comfy hoodies, tees, crew necks, tanks, and hats – all inspired by the fun and rugged outdoor adventures of BC.
Cost: $18 to $70
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 $200
T&T Dreamcatchers are known for their do-it-yourself dreamcatcher kits for beginners, which makes for a fun gift that doubles as an activity! Each kit includes one pre-wrapped metal 5” ring, cording, ribbon, pony beads, feathers and gemstones in a variety of colours.
Cost: $30
Standing Spruce is 100% Indigenous-owned and operated, utilizing plant medicine as the foundation for each of their healing face and body oils, balms, sprays, skin toners, soaps, and essential oils. All are ethically sourced from wild-harvested ingredients. Perfect for a DIY spa day at home!
Cost: $16.10 to $55
On the hunt for an extra spicy gift? Check out Sriracha Revolver, which sells incredible hot sauce flavours that pack a punch, from a classic Habanero Hot Sauce to intriguing sauces like the Beets + Tequila Sriracha. Created by Jordan Hocking of the Sweetgrass First Nation, you’re sure to find a great stocking stuffer for the person in your life who can’t get enough hot sauce.
Cost: $9 to $28
The Dragon family grew up in temperatures that would dip to –40 degrees Celsius, but they were never cold. That’s because their mother, Jane Dragon, would make hats, mittens, moccasins and parkas using wild fur. Now, Brenda Dragon is sharing them all – with a collection of hand, foot, head, and body warmers.
Cost: $25 to $295
Created by Haida and Cree siblings, Totem Design House features screen-printed shirts, tanks, hoodies, jewelry, wellness products, and more, all with re-imagined traditional animal crests of the Northwest Coast Peoples.
Cost: $35 to $115+
Located in Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), this female-owned Indigenous brand offers a variety of Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup products that will have your sweet tooth begging for more. Their specialty? Maple syrup products with bourbon, whiskey, and toasted oak – a twist on traditional harvesting culture.
Cost: $9.95+
And that’s a wrap on some amazing Indigenous-owned businesses to support this holiday season.
Happy holidays, Canada!
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