Holiday Gift Guide: Arts and Crafts
This year, start your holiday shopping early and check off your whole list with gifts that have been designed by Indigenous artisans and artists from across Canada.
Born from the inspiration of Lise and Lara, a Wendat mother-daughter duo, the Onquata company is renowned for its hand-painted paddles inspired by their Ancestors and their First Nations Culture. Handmade in Wendake, each paddle is hand-painted and made to order. Paddles can be decorative and are available in different formats, but they can also retain their traditional purpose and be adapted for use on the water.
Specializing in both traditional and contemporary Northwest Coast First Nations artworks, including masks, fashion, prints, jewelry, carvings and more, I-Hos Gallery is a one-stop shop to find something unique for those on your holiday shopping list. I-Hos Gallery, located on the original site of the K’ómoks Villate between Courtenay and Comox on Vancouver Island, works directly with First Nations Artists to provide a showcase for their beautiful artwork.
Traditional and trendy, Hopeboots will offer you warmth and style. Custom order your a pair of Hopeboots from Quebec’s Atikuss boutique and walk through the seasons, in your hand-stitched mukluks. The Hopeboots project was launched by Innu businesswoman Josée Leblanc, with the goal of enabling Indigenous women to make a decent living from their skills and labour, after she discovered that many Indigenous artisans rarely earned more that $4 an hour. Each pair ordered doesn’t just help to financially support Indigenous creators, it also helps reconnect them with their culture
Stop by Moonstone Creation, an Indigenous-owned and family-run business located in Calgary. They create handmade traditional art right in-store and also work with over 60 Indigenous makers and artisans from across the country. Browse art, beaded goods, clothing and jewellery. If you are feeling creative, check out their online classes where you can make moccasins, beaded feathers and broaches.
Aurora Heat
Located in Fort Smith, NT – Aurora Heat produces handmade and wonderfully luxurious hand, foot and body warmers made from sustainably harvested sheared beaver fur. Breathable, reusable, velvety-soft and naturally sourced, Aurora Heat’s products effectively use your own body heat to keep you warm. $1 from every product purchased is contributed to on-the-land initiatives for Indigenous youth, educators and knowledge holders.
Ay Lelum – Good House of Design
Engage with Coast Salish style through Ay Lelum – Good House of Design’s cutting-edge collection of wearable art. Ay Lelum’s collection features Spindle Whorls as a representation of the women behind them: universal mothers, life-givers, water carriers and weavers of life.
*In 2021, Ay Lelum had a fire at their warehouse, they were able to save as much as possible, including their designs for the 2021 NYFW. They currently have limited stock as well as items that are available for presale.
Whitehorse-based YFN Arts is a non-profit organization committed to growing and promoting the vibrant and sustainable arts and Culture of the Yukon First Nations.
Featuring products from over 50 artists, choose from jewelry, beaded products, moccasins, wall art and carvings. Look good and feel good when you order products from their online store!
This holiday season, take a moment, relax and pamper yourself or a loved one. Try the luxurious body and beauty products from Mother Earth Essentials made with natural ingredients from traditional recipes. Choose from a wide variety of essential oils, body washes and lotions, soaps hair products, candles and tea!
Mother Earth Essentials
Learn more about Indigenous vendors and artisans at:
www.buyauthentic.ca
Angela Ryder
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