11 Holiday Gift Ideas from Local, Indigenous-Owned Brands

Holiday shopping is afoot, and now’s the time to start seriously thinking about where you’re buying from. Shopping local is one of the best ways to be eco-friendly and support small businesses, and there’s no shortage of talented makers here in Vancouver. Scroll on for a list of some of our favourite picks from Indigenous-owned brands: from cool streetwear to soothing body care (plus books, blankets and more) these are the best bets for gift-giving in 2022.

 

Land Back Rose Tee from Decolonial Clothing

This Vancouver-based clothing company has really blown up in the last couple of years—see Juno award-winning artist Jessie Reyez sporting the Land Back Rose Tee ($45) here. Check out their website for tons of bold, statement-making streetwear, including the Prayers and Offerings hoodie pictured at the top of this post. decolonialclothing.com

Abalone Post Oviod Earrings from Copper Canoe Woman

Vina Brown’s modern Indigenous jewellery is a compliment magnet. These eye-catching earrings ($60) are customizable—choose from gold, silver, iridescent or ivory kakawin. coppercanoewoman.com

Smudge Soap from Sweetgrass Soap

Coquitlam-based Francesca Amine sells smudge spray for cleansing spaces but offers the product in soap form too (for cleansing bodies). Her Smudge Soap ($11) is made from red clay, sweetgrass water and sage and cedar essential oils. sweetgrasssoap.com

Spindle Whorl Jacket from Ay Lelum

Catch Ay Lelum at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week from November 28 to December 2—but a word of advice: put in an order for this waterproof jacket ($395) before then. It’s splashed in eagles and killer whale artwork by Father William Good. aylelum.com

Tewín’xw Cranberry Facial Bar from Sḵwálwen Botanicals

Friendly on sensitive skin, this bestselling facial bar ($25) is makeup’s worst nightmare. The rosehip and cranberry powder work to reduce redness (and cranberries are totally festive). skwalwen.com

A Minor Chorus from Massy Books

New winter read alert: this novel from Billy-Ray Belcourt, a writer from the Driftpile Cree Nation. The story follows a graduate student struggling to write a book (meta)—he returns to his rural northern Alberta hometown to find inspiration, and dives deep into the stories of family and friends he’d left behind. massybooks.com

Salish Sunset Woven Blanket from Native Northwest

This cozy blanket ($75) sports a design by Simone Diamond, who was inspired by sundown in her Coast Salish Territory. It’s a colourful home highlight (perfect for levelling up a neutral space). nativenorthwestselect.ca

Chardonnay from Nk’Mip Cellars

What’s a gift guide without wine? This 2020 Chardonnay is creamy and light and has notes of pineapple and butterscotch (and a little bit of spice). You can find this bottle and others from Osoyoos-based Nk’Mip at the BCL. nkmipcellars.com

Devil’s Club Salve from Quw’utsun’ Made

This vegan, cruelty-free salve ($20) is ideal for stiff joints (so check off the complainer on your list). It’s made with coconut oil, sweet almond oil, candelilla wax and of course, devil’s club. Quw’utsun’ Made just relocated to New Mexico but was founded locally—this year you can find the brand at the Little Mountain pop-up shop at the Polygon Gallery. quwutsunmade.com

 

Element: Earth Earrings from Northwest Styles

North Vancouver-based artist John Velten is about as multidisciplinary as it gets (he’s worked in painting, digital art, carving, metalwork, glasswork, 3D modelling and animation). His element-inspired statement earrings ($145) are made from pure sterling silver. northweststyles.com

Eucalyptus Bath Bomb from Sisters Sage

Ah, the gift of some damn peace and quiet (and cold relief, thanks to eucalyptus). This bath bomb ($7) is all about calming vibes, and available for pickup in East Van—usually within 24 hours. Score. sisterssage.com