Yahoo Sports 20 Indigenous and Native-Owned Businesses You Need to Know About
- 1/21
20 Indigenous and Native-Owned Businesses You Need to Know About
This November, we're celebrating Native American Heritage Month, also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. Aside from learning about the rich culture, traditions and history of Native and Indigenous peoples, you can support their communities by purchasing items from Native and Indigenous-owned companies.
While many refer to Native people as Native American, the National Museum of the American Indian notes that it's best to use the individual tribal name, when possible. In the United States, Native American is the most common term, but many people prefer to use "American Indian" or "Indigenous American" instead. When in doubt, ask people what term they prefer to be called.
By buying Native, we can celebrate Native and Indigenous peoples' heritage through products that are as varied as the cultures they come from. And if you're looking for a gift that's truly unique, all of these options will fit the bill. Through the use of traditional methods and hand-sourced goods, many of these products are one-of-a-kind. Whether you’re looking for a new pair of earrings that will earn endless compliments, a bespoke hat that will elevate every outfit or a beautiful tablecloth to pass down through generations, there are plenty of Native and Indigenous-owned businesses for you to shop and support this season. And with the holidays right around the corner, these companies are a great place to start checking things off your holiday shopping list. There’s definitely something for every taste and holiday gift need.
And for the book lovers in your life, don't forget to check out our list of books by Native American authors to add to your bookshelf as well.
courtesy - 2/21
1) Stronger Together Mug
Eighth Generation
8thGen
$18.00
Eighth Generation is a Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. Their products are a unique mix of Native art influences and their urban environment. Give this mug to the coffee-drinker in your life who likes statement sippers.
Eighth Generation - 3/21
2) Wildflower Honey
Séka Hills
sekahills.com
$11.00
Séka Hills sells a wide variety of artisanal goods including honeys, olive oils, nuts, wines and gift baskets. Each product is hand-sourced from the land in Northern California’s Capay Valley.
RELATED: 50 Super Thoughtful Gifts for the Foodies in Your Life
Séka Hills - 4/21
3) All Dark Chocolate Delight Gift Basket
Bedré
bedrechocolates.com
$49.99
Bedré Fine Chocolate is owned and operated by the Chicksaw Nation. Each delectable product is a reminder of Native American peoples who first cultivated the cacao bean into the chocolate we know and love today.
bedrechocolates.com - 5/21
4) Sacred Fire Cherry Lip Balm
Medicine of the People
medicineofthepeople.net
$6.00
Owners Leonard Marcus and Virginia Boone pride themselves on being one of the most traditional Native herb companies in the U.S. Each handmade product, like this cherry-flavored lip balm, melds tradition and culture with health and wellbeing.
Medicine of the People - 6/21
5) Eyeshadow Palette
Prados Beauty
pradosbeauty.com
$48.00
Owned and operated by Cece Meadows, a Xicana/Indigenous woman, Prados Beauty offers everything from eyeshadow palettes to makeup brushes. The company donates a portion of all proceeds back to charities and causes that support Indigenous communities.
RELATED: 60 of the Most Thoughtful Gifts for Your Girlfriend
Prados Beauty - 7/21
6) Wild Rose Face Masque
Sḵwálwen
skwalwen.com
$49.00
Skwálwen is a botanical skin care product honoring traditional Squamish plant knowledge. Each product has a Squamish name, like this Kalkáy (wild rose) face masque, to help honor the place where this plant knowledge comes from.
Sḵwálwen - 8/21
7) Beauty Sustain Lip Kit in Nude
Cheekbone
cheekbonebeauty.com
$45.00
Cheekbone Beauty is an Indigenous-owned and founded sustainable make-up company. With every purchase, like this nude lip color set, Cheekbone makes a donation to Indigenous youth that helps to address the educational funding gap, and create a space in the beauty industry where Indigenous youth feel represented and seen.
Cheekbone - 9/21
8) Red Lavender Soap
Bison Naturals
bisonstarnaturals.com
$12.00
Bison Naturals’ products are made from organically, naturally and locally sourced ingredients. All products, like this red lavender soap, are 100% vegan and are dye and perfume free, so they're suitable for sensitive skin.
Bison Naturals - 10/21
9) Soy Wax Candle
Quw'utsun' Made
quwutsunmade.com
$20.00
Owner Arianna Lauren is a member of the Quw’utsun/Cowichan Tribes. She combines Native ancestral knowledge and Native plants to create lotions, salves, candles (like this tobacco-scented jar candle) and more.
Quw'utsun' Made - 11/21
10) Throw or Baby Blanket
Kotah Bear
kotahbear.com
$42.95
Each Kotah Bear product is a piece of art, handmade by Native makers. Owners Kotah and Misty are both members of the Navajo Nation. The owner’s nickname, Kotah, is from the Lakota (Sioux) tribe and means "friend." This beautiful blanket would make a great baby gift or as a piece of cozy decor.
RELATED: 35 Best Gifts for Babies that Parents Will Love Too
Kotah Bear - 12/21
11) Niswi Napkins in Red Earth
Indigo Arrows
indigoarrows.ca
$68.00
Indigo Arrows focuses on the patterns of the Indigenous peoples in Manitoba, including the owner’s Anishinaabe ancestors. While these patterns are usually found on pottery and bone tools, they now adorn home goods that are meant to be thought-provoking reminders of a rich heritage.
Indigo Arrows - 13/21
12) Fringe Earrings
SheNative
shenative.com
$54.95
SheNative believes that real confidence and beauty comes from knowing who you are and where you come from. Their handmade leather handbags, jewelry like these beaded fringe earrings and accessories are made by Native artists through techniques that are handed down from generation to generation.
SheNative - 14/21
13) Wolf Mountain Lodge Cardigan
Byellowtail
byellowtail.com
$298.00
BYellowtail provides economic opportunities for Native businesses by featuring up-and-coming Native artists who create jewelry, accessories and other handmade goods especially for the company. Each item is a representation of authentic Indigenous designs and artistry.
byellowtail.com - 15/21
14) Large Glass Beaded Cuff
Etkie
etkie.com
$285.00
The delicate jewelry from Etkie fuses traditional techniques with modern design. The company employs a select group of Native artists who bring the culture of the Southwest into every piece, like this gorgeous beaded cuff.
Etkie - 16/21
15) Lighting Canvas Wristlet
Aconav
aconav.com
$85.00
The name ACONAV represents the cohesion of cultures between its founders Loren (Acoma Pueblo) and Valentina (Navajo) Aragon. The couture fashion brand hopes to empower and strengthen Native women through positive and respectful representation of Native culture in the fashion world.
Aconav - 17/21
16) Oversized Plaid Flannel
Urban Native Era
urbannativeera.com
$160.00
This Los Angeles-based company specializes in clothing design and content that strives to increase visibility and awareness of Indigenous people, like this super-soft oversized ref flannel shirt.
Urban Native Era - 18/21
17) West Fork "RED" Jeans
Ginew
ginewusa.com
$268.00
Ginew is the only Native-owned denim company in the world. Using Ojibwe, Oneida and Mohican heritage as a foundation, the company creates premium apparel and accessories like these versatile jeans. Ginew jointly crafted their first series of belts from their wedding buffalo, which was hunted, prepared, tanned and hand-dyed by them and their families. Ginew's leather goods are made with pre-industrial methods, heirloom leather-working tools and vintage patterns.
Ginew - 19/21
18) Thunder Voice Hat Co. Hat 928
Thunder Voice Hat Co
thundervoicehatco.com
$725.00
ThunderVoice Hat Co. carries on the lineage of Native fashion through their handmade Navajo hats. These iconic hats, which come in a variety of colors and styles, are hand-sourced, steamed and shaped to fit each buyer's head. There are new hat releases every Wednesday because they sell out fast. Offerings also include hat bands, hat accessories, tribal blankets and more.
Thunder Voice Hat Co. - 20/21
19) Arctic Air Baby and Child's Moccasin
TPMOCS
tpmocs.com
$74.00
TPMOCS offers authentic, handcrafted Native American moccasins for beginning walkers and up to size 7. Each pair is beautifully made with ethically-sourced leather. Proceeds from sales go to Blackfeet Indian Reservation located in Northwestern Montana.
TPMOCS - 21/21
20) Seasonal Subscription Box
Raven Reads
ravenreads.org
$169.99
If you sign up for Raven Reads’ seasonal subscription, you’ll get a curated selection of indigenous goods, include a book written by a Native author, a letter from that author or box curator, a printed culture card to learn more about them, a literature-themed trinket and a craft. There’s also a junior subscription, for kids five and up.
Raven Reads
