June is National Indigenous History month in Canada, making it an ideal time to learn more about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis culture, contributions, and rich histories.
It's also an opportunity to show Indigenous-owned businesses some love — both this month and year-round. In honor of this month's celebrations, we had the pleasure of curating a special limited edition gift box, featuring Indigenous artisans and entrepreneurs across North America.
Inspired by nature and often sustainability-focused, each purveyor brings unique elements of Indigenous culture and storytelling to their craft.
Cheekbone Beauty
“We are trailblazing the creation of a circular economy within the cosmetics space, not only through the selection of packaging but also through our formulas. At Cheekbone Beauty, we take great care when selecting materials and ingredients, making sure they reflect the latest scientific research.
We have strict in-house standards for packaging that prioritize recyclability, refillability, compostability, and biodegradability where possible. We encourage our suppliers to use recycled materials and aim to choose options that promote circularity.
Our next step is to incorporate even more circular-friendly ingredients. We're excited to explore up-cycled and by-products from other industries to maximize circularity. Right now, our Illuminating Primer Stick features pentylene glycol sourced from an off-product of the food industry: sugar cane bagasse. It's a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional sourcing methods.
Currently, we can't stop obsessing over our new refillable packaging for our Sustain Lipstick. Not only is it sustainable, but it also allows our customers to switch up shades depending on their mood. And by reducing waste going into landfills, it's a win-win for both you and the planet.
Our Sustain Lipstick features ethically sourced shea butter and other sustainable ingredients. Plus, they're locally made right here in Canada, minimizing their impact on people and the environment.
What we're really proud of is that each shade is named after an Indigenous word for "earth" or "land" in different Indigenous languages. As an Anishinaabe woman, representation and ensuring every Indigenous youth feels seen and heard is crucial to our brand. That's why using different Indigenous languages is so important to us.”
Kokom Scrunchies
“My name is Mya Beaudry and I am 12 years old and Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi. I am the creator behind Kokom Scrunchies, which I started in the fall of 2019. Kokom in my language means grandmother because they used to wear floral scarves on their heads when they worked outside.
Starting Kokom Scrunchies was a result of me wanting to give back to the youth in my community. Since I started this journey, I always make sure that all my Kokom Scrunchies are handmade with love in Canada.
I have also named each of the original Kokom Scrunchies after Indigenous role models in my life as a way to give back and honor them. The Kokom Dana is my favorite because it’s named after my auntie Dana.
She is the one who inspired me to give back and she also plays hockey just like me. Kokom Lola is the next one to highlight because she is my grandmother and I love her very much. She has taught me many different skills.”
Sequoia
“My name is Michaelee Lazore. I grew up in Akwesasne, NY (Mohawk Territory) where I developed my love for sciences and an appreciation for my Indigenous culture.
I spent my summers in Pyramid Lake, Nevada (Paiute Territory) with my grandmother who inspired my love for art. I currently live and operate in Kahnawake, Quebec (Mohawk Territory) where I really learned business.
What inspired me to start Sequoia was that 20 years ago, there seemed to be no women's products made for Indigenous women and I wanted to ensure such scents as sweetgrass, red clover, and sage were part of what we could use at home.
In fact, we put an actual blade of sweetgrass into every bar of our signature Sweetgrass Soap.
What makes our products so special is that Sequoia is a true representation of myself. The products are a mix of my art, science, and culture and allow me and my all Indigenous staff to tell our stories through our products.
Great examples are Turtle Island Soap and our Canoe Candles. Turtle Island Soap is inspired by the Iroquois Creation Story and creation of North America. The soap is my interpretation of what it may have looked like from the Skyworld.”
Land of Daughters
“I originally started my candle company using vintage containers that I purchased from thrift stores. I wanted to give new life to something, and I've always loved candles and all things cozy so it seemed like a good fit.
That went so well that I couldn't keep up with demand for my products, so I decided to rebrand into the Land of Daughters company I have today. Doing this allowed me to be able to get my products in the hands of everyone that wanted them.
I think Land of Daughters products are special because we put a lot of effort into making unique scents. You can get basic scented candles anywhere, so we try to take a regular scent and put our own spin on it. We also make our products beautiful, so they double as home decor.
The little things are the big things! Each day is made up of a bunch of little things, right? So I think we can transform our days by doing those little things that we love. Lighting a candle, spraying a linen spray, if those are the kind of things you're into, then those are the kind of things you should be doing every day.”
Fit Beside Me
“My name is Chelsey and I’m a wife, mom of two boys, and a small business owner. I’m also a pregnancy and postpartum fitness and nutrition coach. Exercise has always been important to me — after having my first baby, it became essential.
I was so excited to go back to working out again after giving birth. As soon as I had my 6-week postpartum check with my OB, I signed up for a stroller class at my local rec center. Class was hard. I expected it to be challenging, but so many things felt different. I felt confused, sore, and unsupported. I pushed through the class, and then I didn’t return.
After my second baby, I knew I needed to do things differently. So I did what many moms do. In the middle of the night, feeding a newborn, I started googling. This led me to reputable, evidence-based information and certifications. I got certified and started my own business, all while on maternity leave.
I help moms with young families restore their core and pelvic floor, and find ways to make exercise fit into their lives without taking over it. With the majority of my programs being offered online, I’m able to work with moms from anywhere.
Pregnancy brings a lot of change to a mom’s body. Much of that change is hard to see and accept, especially with the way the fitness industry typically is. Pregnancy is temporary, but postpartum is forever.
Some of these changes are permanent. It took time for your body to grow and birth your baby, and it worked really hard to do that. But for some reason, we are made to feel like we need to immediately erase all the physical proof that we carried a child.
Moms have so much on their plates, every single day, the last thing I want them to worry about is the number on the scale or the size of their jeans. I want moms to feel strong and confident so that they can do whatever they want or need to do throughout the day without pain and without worrying about peeing their pants.”