In the month of June, we celebrate Indigneous History month. Let’s shine a light on some Indigenous owned businesses!
In the month of June, we celebrate Indigneous History month. We decided to shine a light on 10 Indigenous owned businesses! Say hello to SS River Designs, Assinewe Jewelry, Anishinaabae, Heather Bouchier Design, Raónraon Creations, Stitched by April, Born in the North LTD, Mobilize, Indigo Arrows, and Onizhishin Designs! Make sure to check out our guides section for details on each business!
10 Indigenous Owned Businesses to Support
SS River Designs (external link)
SS River Designs strives to build an ethical, sustainable and community minded business. The vision for the brand is having strong ties to the community, striving to think in holistic ways, knowing that all people are connected and creating space for social entrepreneurship.
The SS River Designs signature collections focus on garment construction as a sense of community, reflecting on ethical, reciprocal methods of production. Designed with hints of heritage and culture from the local community.
Assinewe Jewelry (external link)
Edie and Jacquelyn Assinewe are twin sisters who were born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. They are members of Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation. Both are full-time students studying business and fashion. They are bringing their passion to life with the creation of Assinewe Jewelry!
Anishinaabae is an Indigenous-owned accessories line based in Thunder Bay and Toronto, Ontario that merges traditional and contemporary designs. These unique pieces are made with original Anishinaabe and Ojibway designs passed down from previous family generations. All materials used for each accessory are personally outsourced such as porcupine quills, birch, and animal fur. Anishinaabae is deeply rooted in family traditions and craftsmanship.
Kaitlyn Adams Lewis has been designing and selling regalia since she was a teenager. She studied Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management, as well as started her own youth collective to assist with other startups before starting Anishinaabae.
Heather Bouchier Design (external link)
Heather Bouchier (Seeseequasis) Plains Cree Fashion and Jewelry Designer from Beardy’s & Okemasis, SK based in Edmonton, Alberta. Heather Bouchier Design focuses on Fashion Design, Jewelry Design, Custom Sewing & Alterations.
Raónraon Creations (external link)
Raónraon is a beadwork company founded by Rosalee Laurena Mitchell. Rosalee is an Indigenous artist of Mohawk and German descent. Her father’s family hails from Six Nations in Branford, ON. Rosalee became interested in creating beautiful beadwork based on her own personal mission to find a grounding outlet that would feed her soul, and connect her to her ancestors.
Stitched by April (external link)
April Allen is the sole proprietor of her small business, Stitched by April, and her recently launched online bead supply shop, Indigenous Bead Supply Canada. April is an Inuk originally from Rigolet, a small Nunatsiavut community on the North Coast of Labrador. She currently resides in Labrador City, NL.
April constructs many types of beaded earrings and is exceptionally passionate about her work – valuing the immense detail that she is capable of illustrating with every stitch. The art of beading is very therapeutic for her. “My passion as an Indigenous artist comes from the satisfaction of seeing the finished product. When I look at my completed work, a feeling of pride rushes through me. It makes it worth the time and care that I put into it.”
When April was a child, her mother spent a lot of time sewing. April has always demonstrated an interest in craftwork, and so, her mother taught her how to sew and knit from a young age. Recently, they both volunteered their time to create facemasks for people residing in Labrador. April continues to learn from her mother and is able to strengthen her connection to her culture through beading. She constantly explores new variations of designs – making each piece unique and noteworthy.
Born in the North LTD (external link)
A Creative studio owned and operated by twin brothers Chris & Greg Mitchell. Their work is created through their own unique lens and is focused on examining the relationship between humans and nature. Taking into account their own story and lived experiences, inspiration is drawn from their Mi’kmaq heritage, music exploration, and Canadian upbringing.
Mobilize creates art in fashion to shift consciousness in community and within. Founder, Dusty LaGrande hopes that everything he creates will inspire, empower, elevate, and eradicate (when needed) all who come in contact with Mobilize. Dusty’s practice is inspired by everything around the designer including his children, community, and ancestors.
“For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples in Manitoba, including my Anishinaabe ancestors, created beautiful patterns to adorn their pottery collections and host of bone tools. Most of the surviving pieces are held by museums now, but I think the world needs more than exhibition- we need these patterns in our homes provoking thought; we need them bridging gaps; and, we need them inspiring our loved ones. The Indigo Arrows line picks up where my ancestors left off.”
Onizhishin Designs (external link)
Onizhishin Designs is a handmade beaded jewelry company that focuses on the reclamation Indigenous culture. They combine contemporary and traditional design elements to reflect the Indigenous modern lifestyle. With a mission to celebrate and foster the connection to culture through art, Onizhishin wants to increase the visibility of culture through crafts. Indigenous women and allies feel empowered when wearing these unique pieces.
Founder Ashley Lacourciere, based in Barrie, Ontario, launched her business this past summer. She uses beading to connect with her spirit and culture.
Interview with SS River Designs
This Indigenous Peoples' Day, we wanted to interview and shine a light on one of our IFS members in honour of Indigneous Peoples Day.
As an Indigenous Fashion Support member at the Fashion Zone, SS River Designs is funded by Christine Tienkamp and consists of art-to-wear pieces which celebrates and aims to keep michif culture alive. Christine specializes in Métis beadwork which is a beautiful scrolling flower beadwork pattern.
IG Reels: 2SLGBTQIA+ Indigenous Creatives
Here are some 2SLGBTQIA+ Indigenous Creatives that you should know about!
Feather Talia (He/She/They), a Two-Spirit Indig-queer, is a Drag Performer, who lives in Winnipeg Manitoba. Feather is making my name for herself through her funny performances and beautiful spirit.
Originally from the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, and currently based in Vancouver, Curtis Oland is a Lil’Wat-Canadian garment designer and interdisciplinary artist. His connection to his indigenous Lil’Wat heritage, to the supernatural, mountainous landscapes of his homeland, and his experiences as an international nomad, have created a raw essence of subdued wilderness, that celebrates and honours land and materiality. His work traverses the realms of art, fashion, performance, installation, film, and creative direction, having worked on collaboratively driven projects that allow for diverse and complex story-telling.