21 Brands to Support This Native American Heritage Month (and Always)

Since 1990, the United States has designated November as "National American Indian Heritage Month" to serve as a time for Americans to celebrate and learn more about Indigenous contributions and culture. While this is a worthy goal, it's important that we work to support Native communities all the time — not just for 30 days every year — especially considering the violence and systemic exploitation they have historically faced.

A great way to start — emphasis on the word ​start​, since there are many ways to be an ally — giving back to Indigenous communities is by buying from Native creators and Indigenous-owned lifestyle and home goods businesses. We're including some of our favorites below.

Birchbark Books & Native Arts is a Native-owned, Minneapolis-based independent bookstore founded by novelist Louise Erdrich in 2001. "Minneapolis and St. Paul have one of the largest concentrations of urban Native people in the United States," explains the shop on its Our Story page. "Birchbark Books provides a locus for Native intellectual life. We are Native-owned (Louise Erdrich is an enrolled Turtle Mountain Chippewa) and our staff is of either Native background, or exceedingly Native-friendly!"

On Instagram, Nani Chacon describes herself as a "Dinè x Xicana painter, muralist, [and] professional daydreamer." Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Chacon is known for using her work to examine the injustices BIPOC women endure, incorporating themes of modernism, traditionalism, and feminism into her creations.

Amy Denet Deal (Diné) founded 4KINSHIP (formerly known as Orenda Tribe) in 2015 because she wanted to support her community while honoring her Indigenous roots. Focusing on a sustainable design process involving handmade items, repurposed vintage, and upcycled textiles, 4KINSHIP aims to uplift Native artists and invest in land reclamation while selling items in the home and self-care, jewelry, and clothing categories.

In 2014, siblings Rico and Crystal Worl founded Trickster Company to advocate for Indigenous design. "As designers, we strive to represent the way in which traditionally rooted people represent themselves in modern context and fashion," reads the company's About Us page. "We focus on Northwest Coast art and explore themes and issues in Native culture and strive to represent a prestigious lineage of art in fresh and energetic ways as a celebration of Northwest Coast culture as it lives today."

In 2000, the Chickasaw Nation purchased the Bedré Fine Chocolate company, turning the small business into a national brand that makes tasty treats. According to its Our Story page, Bedré is the only brand of fine chocolate that has been created by a Native tribe. With this in mind, the recipes intend to honor the Indigenous, Mesoamerican people who first cultivated chocolate.

Owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, Eighth Generation is a lifestyle and art brand that was founded in 2008 by artist and activist Louie Gong (Nooksack). Gong started by customizing shoes in his family room and now, Eighth Generation is the first Native-owned company to produce wool blankets. By selling 100% Native-designed products, the company strives to support artists while offering an ethical alternative to art that is "Native-inspired."

Séka Hills began as a business in 2010, equipping the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation with a way to sell the premium products — olive oil, wine, honey, nuts, vinegars — they farm on their homeland, Northern California's Capay Valley. In caring for this land, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation continues to bond with its ancestors as they work to preserve their language, culture, and traditions.

"Arianna Johnny-Wadsworth is a proud daughter of the Quw'utsun'/Cowichan Tribes," reads the business's Our Story page. "She was born on Vancouver Island and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, which has always been Unceded Coast Salish Territory. Quw'ustun' Made is a project to preserve the traditional knowledge of the Coast Salish Nation in order to pass it on to the next generations." Specifically, the brand is a modern skin care line that is designed to preserve ancestral medicines. It is currently based in Bellingham, Washington, which is Unceded Lummi Territory.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center was founded in 1976 by 19 Pueblo tribes of New Mexico to honor the art and culture of the Pueblo peoples. The Indian Pueblo Store is the retail-oriented branch of the cultural center, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that gives Pueblo and Southwestern Native peoples the opportunity to share and sell their work.

Through his work, artist John Isaiah Pepion strives to connect with his history and preserve the culture of the Blackfeet Nation in northern Montana. His biography reads: "John incorporates traditional design elements into colorful contemporary illustrations, leaving his work highly recognizable. Most importantly, John's art deepens his connections to self and place, providing him with a sense of strength."

In 2013, the idea for Bison Star Naturals was born when husband and wife team Angelo (a tribal member of Taos Pueblo) and Jacquelene McHorse started soap making as a hobby. In January 2017, they officially launched their business featuring soaps and lotions made with organic and locally sourced ingredients. Plus, in the future, the family-owned business hopes to expand to offer more body care products.

Jessica R. Metcalfe (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) founded Beyond Buckskin in 2009 to provide an online shop where customers can connect with Native American designers. In addition to clothing and accessories, the brand also has a section for home decor and blankets.

Pueblo artist Virgil Ortiz works to keep Cochiti pottery traditions alive. While honoring his Pueblo culture, the potter also creates using inspiration from his own stories and love of science fiction. "It's important to recognize that Pueblo communities are very much alive and have a level of vitality that speaks to generations of strength, persistence, brilliance, and thriving energy," reads Ortiz's About page.

As the first textile company created and owned by a North American tribe, Mahota was formed in 2018 by Chickasaw textile designer Margaret Roach Wheeler. With its blankets, pillows, and accessories, the company was created to honor creative Chicksaw women and the spirit of Mahota.

Visit Cherokee Nation is a cultural tourism effort that aims to educate visitors on the tribe's culture and history. Through its gift shop, you can also purchase art, books, gifts, and apparel.

Artist Hillary Kempenich is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and uses her work to empower Indigenous peoples. "While living in a large rural non-indigenous community, I find myself working to sustain cultural ties for both myself, and fellow Native people," reads the artist's statement. "I also take this time to educate, empower, and create bridges for all communities." On Etsy, you can shop Kempenich's home decor, prints, face masks, apparel, and accessories.

Since its launch in 2010, Kitá Wines has been owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and is run by winemaker Tara Gomez. The small-batch, sustainable wine brand's goal is to highlight Mother Earth's gifts while respecting the land of the Santa Ynez Valley.

Since raising enough funding for tapping, sugar house, and bottling equipment in 2014, the Passamaquoddy Tribe has been producing Grade A, organic-certified maple syrup, baking mixes, candies, and spices.

To improve the coffee offered in their casinos and eateries, the Quapaw Nation and the Business Committee founded Ogahpah Coffee in 2016. "Our passion for coffee drives us to create vibrant coffee selections that reflect, improve, and inspire our communities," the brand writes on its homepage. "Creating extraordinary experiences and memories for all our clients."

Traci Rabbit is the daughter of famed Cherokee artist Bill Rabbit and has continued on that legacy with her own original art. On her site, you can shop prints, originals, ornaments, and art tiles.

Owned by the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe in Sequim, Washington, Northwest Native Expressions is an art gallery that features work from Native artists in Washington. In addition to prints and baskets, the retailer also sells puzzles, textiles, mugs, and more.