8 Indigenous Businesses to Support for National Truth & Reconciliation Day
8 Indigenous Businesses to Support for National Truth & Reconciliation Day
Recommendations from the Ambassador for Indigenous Tourism BC.
8 Indigenous Businesses to Support for National Truth & Reconciliation Day
1. Raven Reads by Nicole McLaren
I’ve never met Nicole McLaren in person, but she is an incredible entrepreneur. She is the creator of Raven Reads which is founded on the premise of raising awareness of Indigenous peoples collective histories, lived experiences and supporting Indigenous authors and entrepreneurs. You can subscribe to receive curated boxes of top-quality Indigenous items, including artwork, books, and other amazing items.
So many people ask me “How can I get involved in reconciliation?” It is an amazing question, and each persons answer will differ slightly. My typical approach is to say that I believe if you are interested in reconciliation, it is important to know about not only the tragedies but also about the beauty of the culture. I think Nicole does a tremendous job of delivering both through Raven Reads!
2. The Way Creator Sees You by Shayla Raine
Shayla Raine turned her wounds into wisdom and is sharing her Indigenous teachings through her book The Way Creator Sees You and through a recent documentary called Decolonizing Wellness. She is incredibly inspirational. She overcame a lot of adversity, and when she did she decided to try to motivate others to reach their full potential as well!
Shayla tells the story of Kihew, a Plains Cree boy who finds himself struggling to accept his Indigenous features after facing adversity at school. Shayla chose to self publish her book, and has travelled around Canada to share this great story. I highly recommend you order a book, and support this fantastic Indigenous author.
3. Fraser Canyon Riverside Domes & Great River Fishing by Dean Werk
Fraser Canyon Riverside Domes is an amazing opportunity to disconnect, relax and camp glamorously. They are brought to you by Dean Werk. An amazing Indigenous entrepreneur working to share the great outdoors with the community. Not only does Dean own these amazing looking domes, he also owns Great River Fishing, a business where he takes clients out on the river to learn about the ecosystems and go fishing.
Dean has created an amazing team that are passionate about reconnecting people with nature. We talk a lot about anxiety, depression and a sense of emptiness - and some of that stems from disconnecting from the natural environment. Dean creates the opportunity to comfortably reconnect with not only themselves but also the night sky and a variety of majestic creatures.
4. Stand Like a Cedar by Nicola Campbell
I had the honour of sitting down with Carrielynn Victor, the artist who helped bring this beautiful children’s book to life. Representation matters. Within the Stó:lō territory Cedar matters. We even have a story around a generous man being turned into a Red Cedar Tree. Cedar was and is an incredibly valuable resource. In the past cedar made mats, clothing, blankets, and hats. Today, it is still commonly used to make beautiful canoes, and hats. To stand like a cedar, is to stand strong and proud.
Nicola Campbell took the beauty of Stó:lō culture and made it more accessible to everyone, including their children. She gave children from all backgrounds a story about resilience and strength to help inspire them to reach their full potential.
5. Kekuli Cafe By Sharon Bond-Hogg & Darren Hogg
Food is often how we as humans enjoy connecting with other cultures. Just look at the different places you’ve eaten at on DoorDash or SkipTheDishes. We enjoy trying different cuisines, it gives us a glimpse into different flavours, and recipes. Unfortunately, Indigenous cuisine is still under-represented on those apps and in our communities.
That is why it is well worth the drive to the nearest Kekuli Cafe. Why? Because their foods are absolutely, unequivocally off the charts - delish. My partner and I visited their Kamloops location and it was incredible. We tried their Black Bean, Chick Pea, & Corn Salad. For Bannock we tried the Skor Bannock, Saskatoon Bannock, Maple Glaze and the Berry Bannock. They are true artists, and we only regret that we don’t have one hear in the Fraser Valley! But if they ever want to franchise out here - it would be an honour to open one with them. I highly recommend you take a trip out to one of their locations for delicious Indigenous cuisine and lasting memories!
6. Luna Float by Nina Zetchus
Humans suck at taking care of themselves. A survey from 2021 found that of 2,000 pet owners - 67 percent prioritized their pet’s well-being over their own.
How many times has a friend of yours had a problem, and when you start talking about solutions - they lose interest. It is very easy for us to skip the run, order fast food, slack at work, and shop on Amazon.Yet, everyone I’ve ever spoken to feels better after a good workout and after a wholesome family meal. As well, people are more proud of their home after cleaning it, than adding a new Doodad. Young kids are more proud of things they make, than things they buy. Think about legos (the best of both worlds).
That is why I find Nina, the owner of Luna Float so inspiring. She faced health complications throughout her life, and found the solution. From there, she chose to share those solutions with the community. At Luna Float they have float tanks, halo-therapy rooms, saunas, and a neurospa machine. These tools help you practice mindfulness, relaxation, breathing techniques and a genuine sense of calm.
The big staple for Rebekah and I is the sauna. Why? For starters, it is very similar in concept to a sweat lodge. In a sweat lodge, you obviously sweat and you reflect on your life, your decisions and your future aspirations. As well, sweating is good for you - it filters out toxins, and boosts your immune system. Book an evening with your partner to rejuvenate, relax and recalibrate.
7. Sidney Whale Watching on Vancouver Island
Rebekah and I just recently had the distinct honour of visiting Vancouver Island to experience the Taste of Salt Spring Tour with Sidney Whale Watching and it was unforgettable. I will have more to share about the experience in the coming weeks on Instagram but the whole trip provided a sense of awe. The wind from the ocean on my face, the incredible wildlife that exists and that is endangered in the area, the passion you feel from entrepreneurs, the complex history of the area.
As we move into smaller spaces, in more crowded cities, with more and more on our to-do list - I think these experiences become more vital. We need something that humbles us as human beings. Seeing the vast ocean, looking up at the galaxies in space, crossing paths with large bears are all ways in which we are reminded just how small we are. While you may be small, you are not insignificant. You play a role in protecting the ocean, helping manage light pollution and ensuring wildlife is there for future generations. It is a healthy dose of meaning in my view, and that is why it was so unforgettable.
8. Skwachàys Hotel & Gallery in Vancouver
The problem with Ikea art, as nice as it is, is that it means nothing to you personally. I once heard that the beauty of art is that it puts the beauty of the world in front of you again. For example, how many trees do you pass everyday? Probably a lot. Do you care, probably not. Why? Because you are busy with other things. Remember the way you looked at everything as a child? What’s this leaf? What’s this piece of grass? A great artist will take that tree, that leaf and show you the beauty in it again - as if for the first time.
As well, art can be a way to bridge cultures. Western culture did not put the same weight on the environment as Indigenous cultures did. A majority of Indigenous artwork includes plants, animals and the beauty of the landscape. As well, Indigenous art often has stories around how to live a moral life. It is something I talk a lot about with my recent guest John Borrows. He explains that while some cultures have a written text, like the bible, First Nations people have oral stories that provide similar but distinct insights.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article, please consider sharing it on social media, forwarding it to your friends and supporting these great businesses!