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People & Culture
Show your national pride with these eight Indigenous-owned businesses
The future of ‘Buy Canadian’ includes Indigenous makers at its core
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Supporting Indigenous-made goods is a meaningful act of reconciliation—one that fuels community growth and economic opportunity. For millennia, Indigenous Peoples across Canada have created goods rooted in the land, reflecting deep cultural knowledge and regional diversity. Today, Indigenous art and products are crucial in cultural revitalization, preserving tradition and raising awareness of the diverse and unique cultures that thrive from coast to coast to coast.
Thanks to e-commerce, consumers can buy authentic goods based on traditional craftsmanship knowledge (modern art, beadwork, hand-woven blankets, etc.). These goods have always been integral to Indigenous culture and can be purchased today.
“It’s important to understand the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation,” explains Dale Cooper, Executive Director of the Cree Native Arts & Crafts Association and Wachiya Indigenous arts store. “When you buy and wear Indigenous-made jewellery or goods directly from an Indigenous artist, you are honouring the authenticity and craftsmanship of their work. This kind of support fosters understanding and respect, ensuring that the beauty and stories of our cultures are celebrated and sustained.”
Amidst the growing support for Canadian businesses and the “Buy Canadian” movement, it is essential to recognize and prioritize support for Indigenous businesses as a fundamental part of this national initiative. Supporting Indigenous-made goods not only celebrates diverse and enduring traditions but also fosters economic empowerment and cultural sustainability within Indigenous communities. Destination Indigenous offers a wide range of certified Indigenous-owned products to shop from, and with those in mind, plus others, we pulled eight to highlight.
Yukon Soaps
Nestled at the meeting point of the Mayo and Stewart rivers in the quaint mining town of Mayo, Yukon Soaps owner-operator Joella Hogen and her team handcraft sustainable products, such as soaps, shampoo bars, bath salts, scrubs, salves, sprays and essential oils. Found throughout Yukon and online, Yukon Soaps operates out of a custom-built facility on their traditional territory of the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation. For Hogen, Yukon Soaps has always been about more than just soap. “Supporting Indigenous-made goods is a powerful act of community care,” she says. “At Yukon Soaps, it’s not just about the products—it’s about reconnecting to our plant medicines, our languages, and our stories.”
Hogen explains that the business has evolved into a place where Indigenous women can support each other while guiding the next generation to assert their rightful role in the economy. “Every bar of soap carries more than ingredients—it carries our values, our teachings, and a vision for a future where community and culture thrive together. When you support us, you’re helping to keep our languages alive, our hands busy with meaningful work, and our hearts rooted in the land.”
Bastien Moccasins
With deep roots in the Huron-Wendat community of Quebec, Bastien has been creating authentic moccasins since 1830. Over the years, the company has experienced changes in ownership and location, but since 1972, it has proudly returned to operating on Huron-Wendat territory in Wendake, Quebec. As the only Indigenous-owned moccasin manufacturer left in North America, it is now led by Jason Picard-Binet, a proud member of the Huron-Wendat Nation. “Since I took over Bastien in 2022, I’ve done a complete rebrand of the company, including its mission and values,” says Picard-Binet. He explains that the company’s values are based on Indigenous craftsmanship, authenticity and overall quality of the products.
“In every aspect of our business, we are committed to the Wendat heritage and take the time to explain our culture and history to our customers,” he says. “I truly believe in the cultural appreciation of our products and the economic sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples.” Under Picard-Binet’s guidance, Bastien skillfully combines modern innovation with age-old craftsmanship, ensuring the continuation of its rich legacy. Each pair of moccasins is meticulously handcrafted in Wendake using top-quality Canadian materials, like exclusive moosehide and premium leather. Designed for both indoor comfort and outdoor resilience, Bastien moccasins are crafted to endure harsh winters and withstand sidewalk salt, offering unparalleled quality.
GV Snowshoes
For generations, the Huron-Wendat community of Quebec has been recognized as a hub of commerce with items like canoes, snowshoes, moccasins and baskets. Wendat craftsmen’s snowshoes, vital for long-distance winter travel, were in high demand and purchased by the French, British, and Canadian armies over the centuries. Today, both traditional and aluminum models are made by GV Snowshoes at their factory in the Huron-Wendat community of Wendake, blending traditional knowledge with modern comforts for functional snowshoes that are sought after worldwide.
Aurora Heat
Aurora Heat, an Indigenous-owned brand from the Northwest Territories, redefines warmth by blending tradition and sustainability, offering an alternative to single-use, petroleum-based hand warmers. Founded by Brenda Dragon, who draws inspiration from her mother’s teachings and ancestral Indigenous knowledge, the company crafts fur warmers rooted in a rich heritage of craftsmanship.
These natural, reusable warmers provide lasting comfort in even the harshest winters, trusted by northerners to keep them warm in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Crafted with deep respect for the land, Aurora Heat products are made with zero waste, utilizing every part of the beaver pelts. Each purchase supports impactful social initiatives, including Indigenous-led On-the-Land programs that empower youth, educators and Elders to engage with traditional knowledge and outdoor education.
Mikuniss Collection
Founded by Valéry Larouche, Mikuniss Collection celebrates and shares Indigenous culture by offering distinctive clothing and accessories that blend ancestral craftsmanship and design with modern innovation. Based in her native Lac-Saint-Jean, QC., Valéry’s collections make a fashion statement that dances between tradition and trend, weaving stories of heritage into every stitch. Larouche’s collections include a range of women’s and infant clothes, as well as unisex items like shirts, coats, hats, boots, ponchos, scarves and more.
Moccasin Joe Coffee
Moccasin Joe Coffee embraces the ethos of Indigenous alliances, working to cultivate a community that expands opportunities for Indigenous Peoples globally. Available in Winnipeg, Ontario, Quebec, and online, Moccasin Joe Coffee aims to connect a network of entirely Indigenous-owned coffee enterprises, providing them with enhanced access to the international coffee market. Through this partnership, their goal is to foster growth and increase opportunities within their communities.
Onquata Native Paddles
Founded by the dynamic mother-daughter duo Lise and Lara, Onquata Native Paddles offers a unique collection of hand-painted paddles, each inspired by First Nations culture. Rooted in matriarchal traditions, these paddles honour a rich cultural heritage and are crafted using ancestral techniques.
The Indigenous-women-owned company’s products pay tribute to a time when paddles were vital for travelling across lakes and rivers, fostering connections among Indigenous nations. Each piece is custom-made and hand-painted, blending functionality with artistry for water adventures. Available in Quebec, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and online, Onquata also offers handmade accessories like handbags and fly cases for fishing enthusiasts.
AY LELUM The Good House of Design
Ay Lelum wearable art garments celebrate traditional Coast Salish art and culture, seamlessly blending heritage with modern design. Each piece tells a cultural story, infused with a unique flair, bridging the past and present. As the next generation of Coast Salish designers, guided by Elders, they weave together art, culture, language, textiles and music to create wearable art that embodies the elegance of the West Coast and strength of Indigenous heritage. Their Coast Salish Couture pieces are crafted in their family studio in Nanaimo, B.C., while ready-to-wear collections are produced by top local B.C. manufacturers. Ay Lelum offers a diverse range of jewellery, fashion garments, short sleeves, button-up shirts, and both casual and formal wear.
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