By K.E. MacPhie
Buy Native-American made! The best way to support the Native community this holiday season is to buy from Native shops and artists for gifts to give this year! Yes, non-Native Minnesotans are more than welcome to buy the beaded ornaments and Ojibwe wall art – as long as you are paying Native artists for Native work. Here are some of our favorite spots to go gift-shopping around the cities and online.
PHYSICAL STORES
• Birchbark Books & Native Arts
Founded in 2001 by renowned Ojibwe author Louise Erdrich, Birchbark Books & Native Arts is a cherished independent bookstore in Minneapolis, specializing in Native American literature and crafts. With a focus on promoting Indigenous voices, the store offers a diverse range of books, gifts, jewelry, and educational resources. 2115 W 21st St, Minneapolis. Website: birchbarkbooks.com
• Blue Hummingbird Woman
Tucked away in the St. Paul skyways and recently expanded to the Eagle and Condor Native Wellness Center, Blue Hummingbird Woman offers a curated selection of unique gifts, teas, and trinkets. As a “Heart Medicine” Indigenous Gift Shop, they focus on supporting and investing in Indigenous artists and creators, offering handcrafted, wild-harvested, herbal remedies, salves, balms, body butters, oils, soaps, teas, maple, honey, and more. 30 E 7th St. St. Paul. Website: bluehummingbirdwoman.com
• Northland Visions
Established in 1995 by White Earth Band member Ken Bellanger, Northland Visions is a well-known shop offering a variety of Native American-inspired goods. The store has since expanded to include an array of foods, craft items, clothing, and art from the Woodland and Plains Tribes. Be sure to visit their coffee shop next door! 861 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis. Website: northlandvisions.com
• Shakopee Trading Post & Gallery
The Shakopee Trading Post & Gallery offers an extensive collection of authentic Native American crafts, gifts, and jewelry from various tribes from the US and Canada. Handcrafted sterling silver, turquoise jewelry, beadwork, pottery, and more. 723 West 1st Ave, Shakopee. Website: shakopeetradingpost.com
• Woodland Indian Crafts Giftshop
Nestled inside the Minneapolis American Indian Center on Franklin Avenue, they offers a variety of unique items including cards, art, jewelry, books, and more. Charlie Stately, the friendly owner, is always happy to chat and assist you in finding the perfect gift. Plus, with Gatherings Cafe just across the way, you can enjoy a warm lunch without braving the cold! MAIC, 1530 East Franklin Ave, Minneapolis. Website: maicnet.org/woodland-crafts-gift-shop
ONLINE STORES
• Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing
A Native-owned nonprofit publishing company based in Duluth, Minnesota, Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing specializes in children’s books with Native themes, written by Native authors. Serving a regional audience. Website: www.blackbearsandblueberries.com
• Nawapo.com
An online marketplace for Red Lake Nation Foods Products and KC’s Best Wild Rice Products. Offers a range of food items, including jams, jellies, syrups, gluten-free wild rice flour, pancake mixes, and more. Owned and operated by members of the Red Lake Nation. They aim to provide unique, specialty natural foods representing the cultural heritage of the Red Lake Nation. Website: Nawapo.com
• Indigenous First
Visit the Indigenous First physical store located in Duluth, featuring a wide range of works from Indigenous, BIPOC, and diverse artists, food producers, authors, and creators. From handmade crafts to delicious treats. 202 W. 2nd St, Duluth. Website: www.indigenousfirst.org
• Lakota Made
An Indigenous woman-owned company known for its eco-friendly, plant-based products, Lakota Made encourages people to connect with the Earth by respecting natural resources and supporting sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Website: https://lakotamade.com
• Native Harvest
With a focus on preserving and protecting native seeds, heritage crops, and traditional knowledge, Native Harvest in Callaway, MN, supports indigenous and land-based communities. Enjoy maple syrup, wild rice, jewelry, and more while contributing to the mission of the White Earth Land Recovery Project. 607 Main Ave, Callaway, MN. Website: https://nativeharvest.com.
• The NTVS
A premium Native American brand driven by Indigenous art and culture, The NTVS specializes in high-quality clothing, including t-shirts, snapbacks, tanks, hoodies, Native American prints, and more. Founded in 2014 and Native-owned, The NTVS collaborates with Native artists to create unique designs that celebrate Indigenous heritage. Website: www.thentvs.com
• Indigenous Food Lab Market
The Indigenous Food Lab Market, an initiative by the North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems, is a kitchen and retail space offering high-quality Indigenous foods and products to the community. Through classes and partnerships with tribes, the Indigenous Food Lab promotes education and access to Indigenous foodways. Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis. Website: https://iflmarket.square.site
