Gifting season is here, and we want our readers to know all of our favorite Indigenous-owned shops to support.
There are many reasons to support Indigenous-owned businesses, some of which clothing company Red Rebel Armour mentions here:
- Purchasing from authentic Indigenous businesses is crucial to the economic empowerment of Indigenous communities. Often these companies invest back into their Native communities and support future generations
- Authentic Indigenous businesses are vital in preserving and promoting cultural pride, and a way for non-Indigenous people to learn more and appreciate Indigenous culture
- Shopping at authentic Indigenous businesses combats cultural appropriation and misrepresentation
Consider shopping at one of these Indigenous-owned businesses in the United States and Canada for your family’s travel needs, or as gifts for those you love.
Aurora Heat – Natural hand warmers
Ditch the Hot Hands and opt for a natural hand warmer from the Indigenous-owned Aurora Heat. Made from natural beaver pelt and from family tradition, this Chipewyan-owned company sells natural fur to keep you and your kids’ hands and feet warm in the winter.
I purchased a pair of hand warmers before my family’s trip to Alaska. They kept my hands quite toasty, even in sub-zero temperatures! Only problem is that they are small, and pricey, so make sure little hands don’t lose them.
Urban Native Era – Outerwear
Founded by Joey Montoya (Lipan Apache) to increase Indigenous visibility through fashion and design, Urban Native Era is a great place to find outerwear.
Stock up on hats, beanies, sweatshirts, and more that will remind you and onlookers that you are on Native land.
Eighth Generation – Socks, Clothes, Kitchen, Christmas
Eighth Generation is a Seattle-based company owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, featuring work that is 100% designed by Native makers. They became the first Indigenous-owned company to design wool blankets with Native prints in a market that had been dominated by non-Native companies for a century.
Eighth Generation sells a variety of products, like towels, blankets, Christmas items, socks, hats, and so much more.
Manitobah Mukluks
Manitobah sells Indigenous-designed footwear, especially mukluks and moccasins, that are water-resistant, temperature rated and based on traditional techniques from over 10,000 years of Indigenous expertise.
This B-Corporation is doing huge things for their community: supporting local communities through reinvestment, supporting local designers, and offering an Indigenous marketplace on their site for other items.
ALOHA Collection
These adorable printed bags from ALOHA Collection are everywhere! They come in a range of sizes, from wallet size to large handbag sizes, each with zippers to keep wet or dry items inside. The company was founded by Heather Aiu (Native Hawaiian) and Rachael Leina‘ala Soares in 2016.
I’ve used their travel bags for a few years as packing cubes. Each of my kids have their own zipped bag that holds their clothes for weekend adventures. This allows them to help pack for themselves, and know where to grab their stuff when we get to a destination.
Decolonize your Bookshelf – Shop Native Book Stores
Shop Indigenous-owned bookstores for your family and friends. These bookstores sell books by Native and other writers, so support their bookshops instead of Amazon!
Check out their websites for awesome book lists featuring Indigenous authors:
Quiet Quail in California
Paperbacks & Frybread
Birchbark Books in Minnesota
Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers’ Cooperative – Handknits
Get cozy with these beautiful handknit accessories (scarves, hats, etc.), made by a cooperative of Native Alaskan women. Jelly’s really excited to sport her headband in winter weather!
The items are made with Qiviut (pronounced “kiv-ee-ute”), the naturally shed downy-soft underwool from the Arctic musk ox, and feature unique patterns from the coastal villages of Alaska.
This holiday season, we hope you choose to support Indigenous an local makers, especially BIPOC and women-owned businesses.
Check out these lists for other gift ideas by Indigenous-owned businesses, like amazing jewelry, wine, and more!
- Beyond Buckskin’s BUY NATIVE list
- 12 Indigenous-Owned Businesses (beauty and fashion)
- Séka Hills – Native-owned oil and wine company
- Native Northwest Market – All Indigenous-designed items with letter of authenticity
- Children’s book list by Native authors
Don’t want to shop? DONATE!
Consider spreading the love this year by giving a tax-deductible donation to one of these Indigenous organizations doing amazing work for our community.
Sogorea Te Land Trust
Sogorea Te Land Trust fights to “Rematriate the Land” by putting land back in Indigenous hands. Lead by members of the Lisjan Ohlone, who have been fighting to protect sacred sites of their ancestors in the San Francisco Bay Area for years. Donations go towards returning land to Native hands to create ceremonial and community spaces, to youth leadership opportunities, cultural community building, and stewardship. All SF Bay Area residents should pay their Shuumi tax.
Intertribal Friendship House
The Intertribal Friendship House (IFH) started in 1955 in Oakland, CA and was one of the first urban Native organizations in the country. It serves as a community center for more than 8,000 participants annually, hosting cultural events, community dinners, drum and dance class and much more.
NDN Girls Book Club
The NDN Girls Book Club aims to support Indigenous writers, offering workshops, connections, and much more for aspiring Indigenous writers. They also purchase books written by Native authors and donate them to schools to increase awareness and access to Indigenous literature. Check out their website to donate or buy some super cute swag.
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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