It's that season again to support local, small business in British Columbia! Another year, another awesome gift guide featuring Indigenous businesses from Secwepemc'ulucw and beyond.
5 Local Businesses to Check Out
Up the Hill at Loakin
Neskonlith
This Secwepemc-owned business uses authentic Indigenous knowledge, and culture to develop and manufacture our high quality herbal products such as creams, teas, mists/sprays, bath salts and more just for your and your family.
Up the Hill at Loakin Incorporated skin care products are made with natural, vegan, nut free ingredients. Using sustainable harvesting practices, they make sure they always leave enough plant medicines for the next generations to come
Up the Hill at Loakin has a number of different herbal products, teas, lotions, and rubs - as well as a selection of gift items and gift baskets perfect for the holiday season.
AKS Artistic Design
Prince George
" I have had the opportunity to expand my artistic talents to learn Formline through local and Haida artists and have made my own style by combining it with Pop culture graphics to create what I call Indig-a-fied Fandoms. While I do traditional Formline designs I also work with many mediums of art and has recently decided to make this my full-time job under the name AKS Artistic Designs."
Ali does a number of custom designs and is an avid market-attender, visiting Kamloops frequently through the summer season and also a featured vendor at the 2 Rivers Remix Festival and a competitor in the 2023 Kamloopa Powwow Pitch.
Wildcraft Nation
Cache Creek
Wildcraft Nation offers authentic BC wild-crafted guidance and products to all people seeking to reconnect to their own Earthen Roots. Using sustainable harvest methods, Crystal crafts a number of different tinctures, soaps, lotions, and salves made from a collection of hand-gathered traditional medicinal plants. With a number of beautiful hand-packed giftbox options, this business makes for a lovely option this holiday season.
Deadly Threadin
Kamloops
Deadly Threadin is a self taught Secwepemc artist from Tkemlups te Secwepemc who loves everything dark, horror, spooky, twisted and weird. Creating handmade indigenous jewelry and accessories with her own twisted touch.
They are also featured in the upcoming December 9th Misfit Night Market in Kamloops.
Timbered Omens
Kamloops
Ted and Kathleen Harasym are two self-taught artists who have seen their business skyrocket over the last few years. When they're not creating custom signs and artwork, they're making everyday items such as board games, coasters, wall art, ornaments, and keychains.
Indigenous Storefronts to Visit
Be Inspired! Center
632 Shuswap Ave, Chase
The Be Inspired! Center is a hub that holds several Indigenous businesses and services, as well as a storefront that showcases art and products from local Indigenous artists and businesses. Stop by and check out their community office space and find connections to local Indigenous services!
Heaven N' Earth Native Art Gallery
340B Wallace St, Hope
This mother and daughter owned gallery in Hope holds all sorts of beautiful handmade crafts, products, and locally sourced artisan-foods. Featuring items such as mixed media bead work, pine needle/birch bark/cedar bark jewelry and baskets, drums, rattles, leather work, semi-precious stone, and medicine products.
4 Generations Creations
143-945 Columbia St. W, Kamloops
Ashley Michel is a self-taught seamstress, artist, and designer. She prides herself in creating authentic wearable pieces of clothing and regalia, working to make a place in the colonized world. By doing this, Ashley is encouraging others to show their resilience and be proud of who they are by being "unapologetically Indigenous".
Ashley is always the winner of the 2023 Powwow Pitch Competition, which has helped her make progress to her dream of opening a storefront for her business. Her store not only sells a number of her wonderful designs, but also sells beads, regalia supplies, Indigenous-pattern fabric, and a handful of artwork from other Indigenous businesses.
Kekuli Cafe
A great option for coffee and tea lovers, with four location options to purchase a number of gift items or gift-cards!
Locations in:
Kamloops: 300 Columbia St
Merritt: 2051 Voght St
West Bank: 307-3550 Carrington Road
Kelowna: 1000 K.L.O. Rd
Spirit of the Lake: Native Boutique
1960A Nancee Way West Kelowna
Spirit of the Lake Native has a wide range of Native Art, Native Jewellery and Native Gifts inspired by and made by local First Nation Artists. We also carry a selection of gifts for graduations, weddings, ceremonies and the lastest fashion trendz.
Juggerbean Tattoo Parlor
112-3190 Creeksideway, Sun Peaks
JuggerBean Tattoo Parlour in Sun Peaks, BC offers a unique experience for its clients and artists. Juggerbean offers walk-in slots when available, and is set in the heart of Sun Peaks Ski Resort.