November is Native American Heritage Month, providing a weeks-long opportunity to commit to shopping sustainable Indigenous and Native-owned brands.
The month is a celebration of the essential traditions and histories of the first Americans, as well as to provide recognition of and education around all that Native people have endured—and how they’ve overcome.
Supporting Indigenous-owned brands in the U.S. and beyond helps foster Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, all while honoring the unique artistry that sets Native works apart. If you’re looking for businesses to support this month and beyond, these seven sustainable options offer the perfect jumping-off point.
7 Sustainable Native-Owned Brands to Support
1. ThunderVoice Hat Co.
ThunderVoice Hat Co. is a study in reclamation. The brand is all about using existing materials to create new (and stunning) designs—and the Navajo Brim hat is its iconic signature.
All of ThunderVoice’s goods—from eye-catching hats to blankets to packaging—are crafted using 95% vintage materials. In keeping with Native traditions, ThunderVoice keeps future generations and the planet in mind when considering its materials, motives, and overall impact.
2. Haipažaža Pȟežuta
Born of the Lakota and Dakota homelands, Haipažaža Pȟežuta‘s soaps, bath bombs, body scrubs, and shampoo bars are made using plant wisdom and natural ingredients.
The brand keeps packaging to a minimum, and each product features formulas, extensive trials, and personal descriptions from the humans behind the line.
3. Amaru America
Plant dyes can make for a vibrant palette. They also offer a means of honoring the land. Artist Maria Calderon’s work offers a further embodiment of the ethnobotany of the canyon in which she lives, which borders the Tongva and Louiseño territories in the Cleveland National Forest.
All of Amaru America‘s naturally-hued pieces are created and dyed by hand, making each item truly individual.
4. 4KINSHIP
Navajo-owned and sustainably-minded, 4KINSHIP showcases a selection of artisanal items produced in small batches. The brand is the brainchild of Amy Denet Deal (formerly Yeung) and was created with the intention of honoring her heritage and her community.
Shop thoughtfully produced, Indigenous-made, and even upcycled jewelry and clothing—an ideal selection for seasonal gifting.
5. Sequoia Soaps
Founder Michaelee Lazore—Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Akwesáhsne and Northern Paiute from Nevada—started Sequoia Soaps in her kitchen. Now, the brand offers a wide variety of natural self-care products, from lotions to candles to oils to incense.
Sequoia is 100% owned and operated by Indigenous women.
6. Eighth Generation
Louie Gong (Nooksack), founder of Eighth Generation, believes that true sustainability means providing Native artists direct access to buyers. Eighth Generation is a Native-owned company that sells 100% Native-designed products, rather than art inspired by Tribal tradition.
Among the items you’ll find in the extensive online store are stunning wool blankets, jewelry, art prints, and more.
7. EMME Studio
EMME Studio is all about slow fashion. The brand’s collections—which include jewelry, hats, and bags in addition to clothing—are all handmade in Brooklyn using upcycled, recycled, and natural materials whenever possible.
Creator Korina Emmerich’s roots are in Coast Salish Territory, Puyallup tribe, and provide a foundation for the vibrancy, message, and make of her pieces.