Indigenous and Native-Owned Brands to Support
If you live anywhere in the USA, then CONGRATULATIONS! You also live on colonized Native Land. Our headquarters happen to be in an area shared by Ndé Kónitsąąíí Gokíyaa (Lipan Apache), Cheyenne, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ (Ute), and Očhéthi Šakówin tribes.* Indigenous people are credited with being the inventors of everything from rubber, to kayaks, to medical syringes! And that is in NO WAY an exhaustive list. Indigenous tribes and communities laid the ultimate foundation for the world we have today. We owe a vast majority of our development, our culture, and our land to these incredible humans who shaped this beautiful land of ours. (Here feels like an appropriate time to throw out a hearty F*** Christopher Columbus. Moving on.)
One great way to give back to indigenous communities today is to shop with indigenous artists, creators, and designers. When you choose to shop with native owned businesses, you are able to directly support individuals and tribes as they work to build and share resources with their communities. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite indigenous owned brands to share with y’all today. Everything from super dope clothing and accessories, to sustainable self care products, and so much more. Be sure to check them out, and let us know what some of YOUR favorite indigenous owned brands are in the comments below!
This small family owned and operated business started as a simple soap making hobby in 2013, and transitioned into a fully operational business in 2018. Since then, husband and wife team Angelo and Jacquelene McHorse have been working to not only add more body care products to their catalog, but have also started the #BisonStarBuild project, designed to grow their base of operations. If you're looking for great, natural products from soaps and lotions to tea, coffee and honey, check these folks out!
Raven Reads is an indigenous owned subscription box service, designed to help educate and inspire. Every season you'll receive a carefully curated box, containing a book written by an indigenous author, a letter from the author, or box curator, a printed insert to help teach about indigenous cultures from around the world, and 2-3 gifts from indigenous entrepreneurs. With boxes for adults and kids, (kids boxes come with 2-3 books appropriate for ages 4 to 9) this is not only a great educational resource, but a fabulous way to support, and uplift indigenous creators and authors. This makes a great option for yourself, or as a gift!
Founded by the Angus sisters, Lynn-Marie & Melissa-Rae, Sisters Sage is a great place to find ethically sourced, spiritual self care items. Using traditional indigenous ingredients, and deep rooted cultural inspiration, they offer a wonderful selection of soaps, salves, bath bombs, and even a Cedar smudge spray. Their products are also vegan, as well as palm oil AND cruelty free! If you are looking for a new addition to your self care routine with a spiritual twist, give these sisters a shot!
If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, then you know that sometimes the spirit of adventure strikes, even when the weather could be better. That’s where Manitobah Mukluks come in! With certain boots being insulated to protect up to -32*C, and waterproof, these boots are an essential addition to your winter attire. They also have wonderful moccasins for those warmer, drier days. Also: check out their ‘Storyboot Project’, which partners with indigenous elders and artisans who make mukluks, moccasins, and other beautiful, wearable art in the traditional way. This project not only elevates incredible indigenous artists, it helps to educate, and keep these artforms alive and thriving for future generations.
Bethany Yellowtail not only creates beautiful, indigenous inspired apparel and accessories, but she also founded the B. Yellowtail Collective, which is “ a brand initiative to support Native American, First Nations, and Indigenous entrepreneurs”. The collective showcases several different indigenous owned brands, and is committed to creating economic opportunities for these artists and creators. Bethany has also been active in the No-DAPL and women's rights movements, from fundraising to education, she remains committed to organizing her community, and elevating indigenous voices.
Looking for some cool new gear to sport this summer, while also supporting native artists? Look no further than Urban Native Era. Founded in 2012 by Joey Montoya, UNE started as an attempt to increase the visibility of indigenous people through social media. By 2013, UNE had released their first line of shirts. Fast forward to today, and they have a robust line of apparel, and have taken steps to become a more sustainable company, especially within their warehouse. They also have a podcast, and a 498b28, for those who want to learn more about the brand, the culture, and the people behind it.
Again, this is by no accounts an exhaustive list. There are A LOT of amazing indigenous owned companies out there. Be sure to check your area to see if you have any small, local shops near you that you can support, and spread the word!
* (S/O To NativeLand.ca for their very informative map. If you would like to know whose land YOU are currently standing/living on, check it out here..)