Indigenous-owned businesses to check out and support around Vancouver
June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day and is a time for Canadians to come together to celebrate and acknowledge the rich rich culture, heritage, and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
However, this acknowledgement and celebration is something that should happen all year round.
Vancouver is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, the traditional territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, where there are are plenty of local Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs to support today and every day.
Check out these local Indigenous-owned businesses around Vancouver.
This list is by no means exhaustive and is part of an ongoing effort to highlight local Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses in our community.
Spirit Bear Coffee Company
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Based in Port Coquitlam, Spirit Bear Coffee Company’s speciality blends are served in over 600 locations across Canada. Their beans are organic, and fair trade and co-founder Paul Biglin’s goal is to work with every nation in North America.
- Find their products online.
Sḵwálwen Botanicals
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Sḵwálwen Botanicals creates is small-batch botanical skincare products by incorporating traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge into their products. Each product comes with a Squamish name to honour the place it came from.
- Find their products online.
Mr. Bannock Indigenous Cuisine
Chef Paul Natrall is the proud owner and operator of Mr. Bannock, based in North Vancouver. Natrall takes pride in sharing traditional ingredients from the Squamish First Nation and showcasing those flavours in his Indigenous-fusion cuisine. Of course, your visit to Mr. Bannock wouldn’t be complete without trying their famous bannock!
- Find out more and place your order for Mr. Bannock online.
Spirit Works Limited
Who: Based in North Vancouver, Spirit Works Limited specializes in authentic Aboriginal products and west coast Indigenous art.
- Check out their Website.
Satya Organics
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Who: Satya founder Patrice Mousseau is an Ojibwe entrepreneur. After a successful career as a radio and television host, news anchor, and journalist, she became a conscious entrepreneur when her baby girl developed eczema and needed help. Now, Mousseau is the owner/creator of Satya Organics Inc., and her products provide those who suffer from skin conditions with organic and natural alternatives
- Check them out on Instagram.
Talaysay Tours
Talaysay Tours offers visitors authentic Aboriginal cultural and eco-tourism experiences in and around Vancouver, Squamish and the Sunshine Coast. First Nation guides share their knowledge and ancient and contemporary stories, legends, and Aboriginal ways of living.
- Check them out online.
River Select Fisheries
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River Select draws from countless generations of First Nations experience to selectively harvest the best River Select wild salmon from BC’s beautiful rivers.
- Check them out on Instagram.
Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro
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Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro is Vancouver’s only Indigenous owned and operated restaurant. Using flavours and traditional ingredients shared by elders, Salmon n’ Bannock offers up delicious, authentic dishes.
- Check them out on Instagram.
Skwachays Lodge
Owned and operated by Vancouver Native Housing Society (VNHS), Skwachàys (pronounced skwatch-eyes) Lodge and Residence were established by social housing organization, Vancouver Native Housing Society. The building is comprised of a boutique hotel, a fair-trade Indigenous art gallery, and also houses two social enterprises owned and operated by Vancouver Native Housing Society (VNHS). Please note that due to COVID-19 the hotel is currently closed to guests.
- Check them out online.
One Arrow Meats
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One Arrow makes Artisan Bacon utilizing unique flavours, natural smoke and locally sourced ingredients. Cree-Métis chef, Heat Laliberte owns and runs the operation and has called Vancouver home since 2002.
- Find out more and place an order online.
Leləm’ Arts and Cultural Cafe
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Leləm’ Arts and Cultural Cafe in Fort Langley offers up delicious grub and their speciality bannock tacos. This quaint spot is reopening just in time for Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.
- Find out more online.
Sisters Sage
Born and raised in East Vancouver, Lynn-Marie and Melissa-Rae are the sister duo behind Sisters Sage, an Indigenous brand that hand-crafts wellness and self-care products inspired by their culture and traditions
- Check them out online.