10 Holiday Gift Ideas From Local Indigenous Makers and Shops

Posted November 29, 2023 | Author Shel Zolkewich

Get going on your holiday shopping with this curated selection by Indigenous makers right here in Manitoba.

From carving and clothing to jewelry and candles—and a huge selection of moccasins and mukluks, we’ve done the pre-shop research for you!

Photo by Magpie Chiq

Anishinaabe Girl Design

Shauna Fontaine’s (Anishinaabeikwe) first passion is jewellery that features a blend of urban chic and inspiration from the natural world. Her second passion is nurturing community and she’s doing just that with a new storefront on Lilac Street in Winnipeg’s Corydon neighbourhood that showcases Indigenous makers. Stop into Anishinaabe Girl Designs for creations from Colours & Clouds (bath and body), Bold Wick Candle Co., Bead n’ Butter, Moccasin Joe Artisan Coffee and more.

PICK: Magpie Chiq’s Sheila Cailleau takes leather work to new heights with painted and embellished slippers, bags and mittens.

Metis Branded

Designer Casandra Woolever transforms outdated and unloved wool blankets into stunning capes and capotes —the traditional coat of the Métis. Each one-of-a-kind piece has a story to tell and gives new life to quality textiles, plus her style has a modern flair that makes these pieces equally at home in the city or in the wild.

PICK: The pink mohair poncho adds instant pizzazz to any look.

Photo by Metis Branded

Teekca’s Boutique

The choices are endless at Teekca's Boutique, which has three Winnipeg shops at The Forks Market, St. Vital Shopping Centre and St. Matthews Ave near Polo Park Shopping, as well as a shop in The Village at Pineridge Hollow. Home décor, jewelry, medicines, fashion and of course, a robust selection of moccasins and mukluks. The Spence family showcases the work of hundreds of Indigenous artists on their website, plus they ship to anywhere in Canada and the United States.

PICK: The smudge kit includes sage, an abalone smudge bowl and stand, a feather and instructions.

Uptown Emporium, Flin Flon

Operated by the Flin Flon Arts Council, Uptown Emporium showcases hand-crafted items by artisans from the north, including many Indigenous makers. There’s wood carving and resin works, plenty of pottery and soothing balms for bath and body.

PICK: A rawhide beaded pouch by Nitanis Makers & Beaders featuring nature-inspired beadwork.

Photo by Anne Mulaire

Anne Mulaire

Creating quality, small batch, zero-waste clothing is Andréanne Mulaire Dandeneau’s commitment behind her fashion brand, Anne Mulaire. The clothing features French and Indigenous touches including beadwork and feather motifs. And the zero waste collection takes textiles that would otherwise be headed for a landfill and transforms them into stylish pieces.

PICK: The Flora blazer features stunning Metis beadwork by Mulaire’s inhouse artist, David Albert.

Cree-Ations & Artists Showcase

It’s the custom work that sets this Main Street Winnipeg shop apart, done with unyielding attention by the Nabess family and a team of trusted artisans. Feather bags, rattles, beaded hats, ribbon shirts and ribbons skirts stock the shelves along with prints, painting and jewelry.

PICK: Delightful moccasins beaded motif, trimmed with grey rabbit fur.

ShopWAG

The gift shop at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Qaumajuq has always been the place to go for exquisite pieces. There’s a big selection of prints, jewelry, books and cards plus original works in ceramics, glass and wood—all by Indigenous artists. But the star of the shop is its collection of carvings—from fun antler dolls to stylized shamans

PICK: The Qaumajuq Candle featuring turmeric, bergamot, orange, coffee and patchouli is made from Manitoba beeswax.

Arctic Trading Company, Churchill

Take your pick from rabbit, fox or beaver fur on your custom moccasins at the long-standing Arctic Trading Company that includes caribou tufting art pieces and original paintings, all tucked into the creaky nooks and crannies of the historic shop in Churchill, Manitoba.

PICK: Caribou antler earrings by Sayisi Dene artist Monica Anderson.

Manitobah Mukluks

Fabulous footwear awaits at Manitobah Mukluk’s flagship shop at The Forks Market, an international footwear brand that started in Winnipeg. Their waterproof soles make a much-welcomed modern addition to the traditional design. Plus there are hats and mitts, blankets and jewelry in the shop. Online, you’ll find even more treasures in their Indigenous Market, where 100% of profits go to the artists.

PICK: The Bruderer Tamarack is inspired by the birch bark biting work of Pat Bruderer, Half Moon Woman, originally from Churchill, Manitoba.

Photo by Manitobah Mukluks

Photo by Sharecuterie

Sharecuterie

Cassandra Carreiro, the culinary artist behind Sharecuterie, elevates the cheeseboard concept with her artisanal charcuterie business in Winnipeg. Overflowing with locally sourced delicacies and crafted with utmost care, each board is the perfect mix of sweet and savoury. Have your charcuterie board delivered to your giftee or if you prefer to give an experience, simply buy a gift card to the eatery at 160 Stafford Street.

PICK: The Holiday Charcuterie Board, in the shape of a tasty holiday wreath!

About The Author

A journalist by trade and an adventurer at heart, my career has included stints as a reporter, magazine writer, editor, food stylist, television cook and digital marketer. I am always collecting stories about Manitoba, whether I’m on assignment or not.

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