shop indigenous
When we travel, we seek opportunities to experience the culture and history of the lands we wander. As responsible travellers, we participate in spiritual transactions that connect us to Indigenous communities, their art, and traditions not just through cash, but through purpose.
Whether we purchase a healing salve made from ancestral medicinal plants, or a pair of buckskin moccasins tanned and beaded by an Indigenous elder, we are investing in the journey of slow non-commercial goods to market and the preservation of Indigenous art in British Columbia.
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Satya Organic Skin Care
Vancouver
Official Website
Satya Organic is one of the finest natural skin care lines we’ve tried – especially for little members of the family who experience seasonal eczema. Just five organic ingredients are mixed to nurture and heal sensitive skin. Products come in sustainable packaging and refillable tins and jars, helping to preserve people, place and planet. Port Coquitlam, BC.
Salmon n’ Bannock
Vancouver
Official Website
The only Indigenous owned and operated restaurant in Vancouver, Salmon n’ Bannock has mastered the art of feeding both your soul and quest for authentic Indigenous cuisine. This unique spot specializes in organic, free-range game and freshly caught seafood from the lands of the Coast Salish. Vancouver, BC.
Skwacha’ys Lodge
Vancouver
Official Website
Canada’s first Indigenous Arts Hotel celebrates the talent of Indigenous artists with its live-in residence program and fair-trade gallery. This boutique hotel includes 18 guest suites, a smudge room and a rooftop sweat lodge. Owned and operated by Vancouver Native Housing Society and within walking distance of downtown and SkyTrain. Vancouver, BC.
Songhees Wellness Centre
Victoria
Official Website
The Songhees Wellness Centre offers a sacred cultural experience expertly steeped in the past and present. Symbolizing the Songhees Nation’s pride of place, it architecturally pays homage and service to its people, and the land they call home. An Indigenous gift shop features work by local artisans, and a contemporary gallery café serves locally sourced food. Watch for the Songhees Food Truck cruising around, which offers traditional Indigenous cuisine with a modern twist. Victoria, BC.
Spirit Bear Coffee Company
Port Coquitlam
Website
Buy coffee, save whales. Two of our favourite things align with the offerings of Spirit Bear Coffee Company. Certified organic and fair trade, they brew a distinctly good cup of coffee and flourish as Indigenous purveyors of goodness in a highly competitive market. Port Coquitlam, BC
Skwa’lwen Botanicals
Squamish
Website
Skw’alen Botanicals handcrafts “skincare experiences” harvested from wild plants and grounded in the natural world. Founded by ethnobotanist Leigh Joseph of Squamish First Nation, this medicine for skin and spirit honours traditional Squamish plant knowledge and culture. Squamish, BC.
Lelam’ Arts and Cultural Café
Fort Langley
Website
This Indigenous owned and operated arts and cultural café offers a contemporary take on bannock with its famous bannock tacos. Located in the ‘Birthplace of BC’, there is rich heritage in this intimate gathering place. Infused with local goodness, we strongly suggest a patio stop and short vagabond around this historical fort town to learn more about the rich Indigenous influence. Fort Langley, BC.
Evan Ducharme
online shop
Website
Authentically, aesthetically – boldly Indigenous, this designer of purposeful fashion is decidedly exciting. We are obsessed with his ATAVISM satirical ode to the ancestors and love the jagged juxtaposition of fierceness and tranquility in the design movement. Evan Ducharme is shaping the social landscape and concept of privilege through fashion. BC based online store.
Massy Books
Vancouver
Website
If you find yourself in Vancouver and in need of a good book, stop by Massy Bookstore. This quaint shop is located in historic Chinatown and offers rare, Indigenous reads and unique books from around the world. The shop – a member of the Stó:lō Business Association – profiles Indigenous women and 2SQ (two spirit) artists in their Indigenous Brilliance series. Vancouver, BC.
Great Bear Rainforest Essential Oils
Multiple Locations
Website
This online shop is a social enterprise supported by the Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative — a non-profit society and alliance of eight First Nations on BC’s North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii. Pure, sustainably harvested essential oils from the Great Bear Rainforest are steam-distilled from fresh conifer needles. Your purchase will help support the people who call this region home. Found in stores across Canada.
Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park Gift Shop
Kamloops
Website
A non-profit organization, the Secwepmc Museum and Heritage Park is committed to supporting the revitalization of the culture and language of its people. The on-site gift shop carries a variety of locally crafted Indigenous gifts including pine needle baskets, drums and traditionally beaded items. It also includes the historical display addressing the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Kamloops, BC.
Gift and Gab Trading Post
Barriere
Website
Offering a variety of locally sourced and authentic Indigenous arts and crafts, this shop prides itself in offering one-of-a-kind items that include chain saw carvings, smoked leather moccasins, and beaded jewelry created by local Indigenous artisans. It’s kitschy presentation pays tribute to the Trading Post commerce of the past. Barriere, BC.
Syilx Trail Gift Store and Gallery
West Kelowna
Website
The Syilx Trail Gift Store and Gallery features authentic arts and crafts from local Indigenous artisans. The Gallery showcases the rich culture of the Syilx people (Interior Salish) through its authentic artwork and handmade artisan crafts – which are significantly different from that of the Coastal Salish. This intimate shop is an award-winning Indigenous owned business promoting the preservation of people, place and planet in the Okanagan. West Kelowna, BC.
Nk’mip Cultural Centre
Osoyoos
Website
Coyote’s Gift Shop is located inside the NK’MIP Desert Cultural Centre. The shop offers an eclectic variety of North American and local Indigenous art, books and blankets. Sales from the store are used to support the cultural programming and operations. Be sure to take a tour of the surrounding landscape, history and vineyard. Osoyoos, BC.
River Select
West Kelowna
Website
Drawing from generations of First Nations experience, River Select is an Indigenous owned co-operative with shops throughout BC. Selectively harvested wild river salmon can be purchased for gifts, picnics or treats. Supplying fair trade and locally sourced fish, the West Kelowna shop features Okanagan Select product. Our favourite treat is candied salmon! Westbank, BC.
Sxwimele Boutique and Gifts
Fort Langley
Website
Located in the Visitor Centre at Fort Langley National Historic Site, the Sxwimele Boutique and Gifts is owned and operated by Seyem Qwantlen Business Group on behalf of Kwantlen First Nation. The quaint shop offers a carefully curated collection of Indigenous and local memorabilia. Fort Langley, BC.
Raven Reads Books Ltd.
Kamloops
Website
Raven Reads is a quarterly subscription box full of literature and goods from Indigenous authors and entrepreneurs. The idea was launched by Nicole McLaren, whose Indigenous roots inspired her to educate people on the devastating impact of residential schools in Canada. We add this to our complement of Indigenous reading materials to help enlighten your travels through BC. Kamloops, BC.
Orange Shirt Day
Williams Lake
Website
Orange Shirt Day is a national movement towards reconciliation, aimed to create awareness about residential schools. Gaining international recognition, it’s held annually on September 30 where people (especially students) are encouraged to wear an orange shirt.
The author of Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis Webstad of the Northern Secwpemc, is also my cousin! You can buy orange shirts and copies of her first book in her native tongue of Shuswap, French or English off the website. Williams Lake, BC.
Little Bear Gift Shop
Chase
Website
Little Bear Gift Shop (inside Quaaout Lodge on the banks of Little Shuswap Lake) sells locally crafted Indigenous pieces, as well as handcrafted Canadian artwork. The vision for the gift shop is to share opportunities for visitors to gain an enhanced bond with the people, place and their connection to the land. Quaaout Lodge is owned and operated by the Little Shuswap Indian Band. Chase, BC.
Quaaout Lodge
Chase
Website
Quaaout Lodge is one of our favourite places to immerse in authentic Indigenous culture. Join in a smudging ceremony, spiritual guidance session or elder storytelling in their on-site kekuli. Head to the cultural centre to take in an archery lesson or drum making class. Forage for traditional plants and herbs of the land, or stop at the farm-to-table restaurant and Little Bear Gift Shop. Chase, BC.