Indigenous Shopping Guide:
Updated: Nov 28, 2020
We are approaching a holiday season unlike any other because of Covid. On top of it - unemployment is a critical economic issue facing the country during this pandemic. So many people are struggling and it’s very difficult to even think about Holiday shopping.
Last year, I shared a blog post about conscious consumerism, which continues to be extremely important. I also have shopping tips for road trip essentials, travel gifts and self-care equipment. This year, for those who are fortunate enough to celebrate the holidays by gift giving or want to donate to an organization - I've curated a list of indigenous owned brands and non-profits to support now and always.
INDIGENOUS OWNED SHOPPING GUIDE:
Let's learn a little first . . .
Should you use Native American or American Indian?
BOOKS (Educational and Entertaining):
I read both Bury My Heart in Wounded Knee and Trail of Tears in high school, which should be required reading. A few other suggestions below.
75+ Native American Children’s Books - fantastic list!
* Purchase books from Native Owned Bookstores - Birchbark Books or Red Planet*
FOR THE HOME:
Blankets from SackCoth and Ashes
Beautiful Art and Blankets Thunder Voice Eagle
Towels, Blankets, Scarves and more from Eighth Generation
Bowls, cups, vases and ceramics - Alphonse Ceramics
CLOTHES & JEWELRY:
Beautiful Art, Masks, Hats, Shirts, Jackets and More from Thunder Voice Eagle
Blankets, Clothing and Jewelry - Kotah Bear
Repurposed vintage clothing - Orenda Tribe
Jewelry, Clothing, Pillows - BYellow Tail
Socks, Shirts, Hats and Stickers with a message - Urban Native
The only Native-American owned denim brand (jeans, jackets and more) - Ginew
Moccasins with meanings - Jamie Gentry Designs
Moccasins - White Bear Moccasins
Leather bags - Outlier Leather Co
Cross body bags and more - Emme
Makeup bags - Winston Paul
Clay Jewelry - Shy Natives
Jewelry - By Neeko
Jewelry - Native Clay Co
Turquoise Jewelry - Turquoise Mountain
Turquoise - Not Above
BEAUTY:
Natural Native products - SisterSky
Soaps and lotions - Bison Star
Makeup - Cheekbone Beauty
FOOD:
Delicious Vegan and Gluten Free Bars - Wahpepah’s Kitchen
Tasty Jerky - Tanka Bar
Chocolate - Bedre
DONATE:
I love to donate in someone’s name or give back for "Give Back Tuesday." Sometimes the company you work for will match your donations - make sure to ask so your money can have an even bigger impact!
Navajo Strong - was created to help the Navajo Nation during the Covid pandemic. I donated to this org for my birthday and have connected with the founder, this is a great org to support during this difficult time.
Santa Fe Community Foundation - partners with Native-led orgs.
Cultural Survivor - works towards a future that respects and honors Indigenous People’s inherent rights and dynamic cultures and more.
NDN Collective - dedicated to building Indigenous power through organizing, activism, grantmaking and more.
NaTIFS - promote Indigenous food access.
Nature Rights Council - focused on ensuring a sustainable future.
Native Conservancy - empower Alaska Native peoples to protect and preserve endangered habitats on their ancestral homelands.
Indigenous Environmental Network is an alliance of Indigenous peoples whose mission is to project the sacredness of Earth Mother etc.
Seeding Sovereignty works to radicalize and disrupt colonized spaces through land, body, and food sovereignty work, community building, and cultural preservation.
Native American Rights Fund (NARF) has achieved great progress for Indian Country in such critical areas as tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, natural resource protection, voting rights, and Indian education.
Expand your Following - a few Native artists, activists and orgs that I follow:
@kinsale - she is a wealth of knowledge and shares numerous Native accounts.
@kiana-pete - great source of information - her curated lists of small businesses.
@preezilla - an extensive list of businesses created by @preezilla.
