June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time dedicated to recognizing the history, cultural heritage, resilience, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. While learning and education are ongoing, it is important for non-Indigenous folks to take the time to learn about the unique traditions, cultures, and lived experiences of Indigenous people in Canada. While countless resources are available to aid in education, the best way to learn is from Indigenous voices.
This month, we are sharing 15 Indigenous-owned brands with amazing stories to share. Shopping from Indigenous brands amplifies a marginalized community’s voice and creates impact. We know the list only scratches the surface, so we encourage you to check these small businesses out and share your favorites with us!
1. Birch Hill Studio
Based in Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Birch Hill Studio is a fiercely Canadian, Métis, and woman-owned clothing brand. All products are designed or made in North America, including the brand’s own HausOfBirch. Sierra Harris, “The Baus Birch,” creator, designer, and founder, set out to create a clothing line representing a cozy but fashionable Canadian lifestyle. If you ask us, she nailed it!
2. Land of Daughters
Métis and female-founded Land of Daughters was born in 2018 and is on a mission to burn candles and the patriarchy. All its candles, aroma sprays, and solid perfumes are handmade in Calgary, Alberta, and embody all things cozy. From the product names to the seasonal scents, Land of Daughters designs products perfect for the proud homebody. Founder Paige Fiddler is a passionate advocate for the Indigenous community and openly shares her journey as an Indigenous woman in Canada to educate and inspire others.
3. Omisimâw Wellness
Omisimâw Wellness marries traditional Indigenous values with modern botanical medicine. Creator and curator Sheena Bradley is a certified herbalist, advanced clinical herbal study, and birth worker. She lives in Fort McMurray, Alberta in Treaty 8, and her love for the land and her cultural roots inspire Omisimâw Wellness’ products. “Each product is crafted intentionally in ceremony and relationship with okāwīmāw (Mother Earth) to connect people to the land through the use of local plants, botanicals, and aromatherapy,” the website tells us. From botanical skincare to natural elixirs, this brand is a great one to check out for authentic, Indigenous wellness products.
4. Miywâsin Beading
Andrea Rae is the woman behind Miywâsin Beading, a jewelry brand that honors the intergenerational Indigenous art form of beadwork. The 23-year-old Paskwawiyiniwak (Plains Cree) founder makes all their pieces in Calgary, Alberta, on Treaty 7 territory. Each set of earrings is handcrafted and designed for anyone to wear — Indigenous folks and allies alike. Whether you’re looking for some one-of-a-kind avocado earrings or a more subtle set of hoops, you can find the perfect gift or treat for yourself at Miywâsin Beading.
5. Moccasin Joe Coffee Roasters
If you’re looking for morally and sustainably sourced fresh artisan coffee, look no further than Moccasin Joe Coffee Roasters. This Indigenous, family-owned business transforms its coffee into what they call the “Mocassin Joe Coffee Experience.” With six moral guiding principles inspired by their culture, the team at Mocassin Joe Coffee ensures that the brand represents these values at every stage, from sourcing, roasting, packaging, and shipping. Based on the final guiding principle, Kanonkwa'tseriio or Good Medicine, all products are made by Indigenous hands and roasted in Mowhawk Territory from farm to cup.
6. Sisters Sage
Sisters Lynn-Marie and Melissa-Rae Angus founded Sisters Sage in 2018 to create something that would help others, positively showcase their culture, and grant them financial independence. The brand offers modern wellness products made from traditional Indigenous ingredients. Some of its best sellers include artisan soaps, bath bombs, medicinal salves, and smokeless smudge sprays. Through these products, the sisters are proud and happy to honor their ancestral teachings from their Gitxaala, Nisga’a, and Metis Nations while sharing a tiny piece of their culture with the wider community.
7. Culture Coven
As your one-stop shop for the modern witch, Culture Coven sells a variety of products from crystals and herbs to enchanted spell kits and wands. All of these products are ethically and authentically produced by POC, LGBTQ2S+, or women artisans. As a queer, BIPOC, and witch-owned brand, Wenzdae Anaïs aims to “close the gap between buying what’s good for the planet and buying what you want while supporting diverse talent.” All of Culture Coven’s products are authentically made with generational knowledge — so why not check out the coven for yourself?
8. Awasis Boutique
As a mom of two, Christine Marie began sewing bibs and aprons for herself and other moms. After gaining exposure on social media, she quickly had orders coming in quickly and discovered that there were no kids or baby fashion brands inspired by Indigenous designs in Western Canada. As a Métis and Filipino woman, Christine started Awasis Boutique to bring custom blankets, onesies, toddler tees, and more to other like-minded moms. Meaning “child” in Cree, Awasis is now a national brand sold in many retailers across Canada and has been able to donate over $60,000 to Indigenous organizations.
9. Camp Candle Co.
Growing up in British Columbia, Megan Camp was inspired to create a brand that represented the ruggedness of Canada’s west coast, combined with the warm heart of its people. Camp Candle Co. offers a wide range of candles made from a custom blend of organic and natural soy and coconut wax that is sustainably grown and harvested. The wood-wick candles come in a wide range of scents inspired by nature like Surf Shack or Wild Coast. Shop Camp Candle Co.’s wide range of candles, Backcountry tins, tea lights, wax melts, home fragrances, and more.
10. Sequoia
Michaelee Lazore who is Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Akwesáhsne and Northern Paiute founded this beauty brand in her kitchen in 2002. After struggling to find local and Indigenous-made products, Michaelee decided to make them herself, and Sequoia was created. Inspired by the beauty, strength, and cultural significance of Sequoia trees, the brand now offers a wide range of soaps, candles, and body care products in traditional Indigenous scents like sweetgrass, cedar, and sage. Sequoia is loved by customers around the world who admire the beauty that the Indigenous-inspired products hold.
11. Prairie Owl Beads
Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Prairie Owl Beads is a proudly Métis and woman-owned business created and run by the four Desrochers sisters. After learning the techniques and significance of beadwork from a Métis artist, the eldest sister Julie began incorporating the art form into her life. She shared the art of beadwork with her sisters, who also began beading. In 2020, the sisters decided to turn their passion into a business and launched Prairie Owl Beads to share their art with everyone. Today, they sell a variety of beadwork products like stickers, totes, pouches, earrings, mocassins, keychains, clips, and patches — they even take custom orders.
12. Sḵwálwen Botanicals
Sḵwálwen is the Squamish word for heart, and that’s what this skincare brand is all about. Founded by ethnobotanist Leigh Joseph of Squamish First Nation, Sḵwálwen Botanicals combines cultural knowledge, Indigenous plant science, and self-care to offer modern beauty rituals grounded in ancestral traditions. This luxury skincare brand offers face, body, and home self-care products and allows customers to browse by Collection, each inspired by traditional Indigenous ingredients. With over 45K Instagram followers, Sḵwálwen Botanicals is loved by its community of customers who appreciate both the products’ effectiveness and the brand’s philosophy.
13. Raven Reads
Founded 2017 in Kamloops, British Columbia, Raven Reads set out to bring authentic Indigenous books and gifts into its customers’ homes. Being Indigenous herself, Nicole McLaren wanted to raise awareness of the community’s collective histories and lived experiences while supporting Indigenous authors and entrepreneurs. Raven Reads offers products spanning multiple categories, including books, apparel, beauty, and home. They also have subscriptions and gift boxes available for both kids and adults. Along with amplifying Indigenous voices and letting them tell their stories, Raven Reads also has invested over $600,000 CAD in other Indigenous and Native American businesses across Canada and the United States.
14. Rose and Clover Beadwork
Lena Rose, a Métis and Northern Irish bead worker created Rose and Clover Beadwork as a creative outlet to share her art. Based near Calgary, Alberta on Treaty 7 territory, Rose and Clover Beadwork offers a range of beadwork earrings. With a self-described eclectic style, Lena shares that she gets inspiration everywhere—from traditional flowers to modern concepts. From bright peach-shaped earrings to cozy plaid dangling ones, Lena hopes to create something everyone loves.
15. KomKom Scrunchies
Last but certainly not least (except for age) is KomKom Scrunchies founded by the talented 12-year-old Mya Beaudry. Mya is from the Algonquin Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and first launched her brand in 2019. Each of her hair accessories is handmade in Canada with love and named after an Indigenous role model. One day, Mya hopes to inspire others in the same way, and we think she’s already accomplished that! KomKom Scrunchies now offers a range of products from scrunchies to lanyards, scarves, apparel, bows, and textiles.
Support Indigenous-owned small businesses
We know these 15 incredible brands are only a drop in the ocean of the countless Indigenous-owned brands out there. We encourage you to support these and other Indigenous-owned brands in June (and every other month) by either making a purchase, or liking, sharing, or engaging with them on social media.
