by Jessica Stago, Native American Economic Initiatives Director
The Grand Canyon Trust is proud to partner with Change Labs to help entrepreneurs realize their dreams and build a strong, resilient, and culturally respectful economy across Native America.
As you do your holiday shopping this season, consider supporting Native entrepreneurs. Spending your holiday dollars in Native-owned small businesses is one important way you can support a sustainable economy that celebrates Native cultures, traditions, and values.
And supporting Native-owned businesses has never been easier! Finding the perfect Native-made gift can be just a click away, with many businesses offering convenient online options to browse, order, and have your gift shipped to your doorstep. And you don't have to break the bank, either, with fragrant soaps and body care products starting at just $10.
Ready to shop?
Sasha Begay of Rock Point, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation, has a beautiful array of water bottles, mugs, and sippy cups for sale. They feature Navajo-inspired designs, including images of the iconic Blue Bird flour bag, vintage prints of the Navajo Times, coyote stories, cultural images, and more.
Her products are affordable, with many items in the $20-30 range. You can shop in her online store, or pick her mugs up in person in the Desert View gift shop at Grand Canyon National Park, where she's paving the way for other Native entrepreneurs to sell their wares inside the park.
Plus, many of her beautiful mugs include the option to add an elegant bamboo lid, to keep your hot chocolate warm though the holiday season.
Searching for a gift for the fashionista in your life? Look no further than Masani's Beauty.
Moriah McCarthy's glamorous, hand-sewn designs and upcycled garments feature Native prints, fabrics, and motifs, and her business stands as an example of sustainable fashion, with quality that's made to last. She offers scrunchies for just $8 and ribbon tops for $30.
A Masani's Beauty original is sure to turn heads. Stock is running low, so make your purchase online today.
Marco Arviso, originally from Black Rock, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation, draws on his experience as a painter and sculpture to craft vibrant jewelry pieces using all-natural gem-quality stones, genuine leathers, colorful feathers, and sterling silver.
He takes inspiration from the natural beauty of the Navajo Nation when designing his one-of-a-kind pieces which include earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets ranging from $25 to $375.
Browse available pieces in Marco's online shop
Navajo/African American graphic artist Roddell Denetso is famous for designing the uniforms worn by the fictional Chuska Warriors basketball team in Netflix's popular film, "Rez Ball." But Denetso, raised in Klagetoh/Ganado, Arizona on the Navajo Nation, offers many of his custom designs for purchase in real life too.
If jewelry is out of your price range, consider Roddell's light-hearted squash blossom necklace T-shirt, which features the distinctly Navajo necklace printed on a simple black tee. At only $18, it's a fun gift that doesn't break the bank.
Roddell's online store also includes a fabulous array of athletic shorts in styles that include the playful "Fresh Prince" as well as "AZLove," which features iconic silhouettes of saguoros.
Visit Black Streak Apparel's online store
Kamia Begay, from Shiprock, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation, offers a line of fragrant, restorative soaps, oils, body butters, lip scrubs and more, made with real herbs.
Her delectable Navajo tea with mint soap looks like a decadent dessert, and is affordable, at just $10, and she offers refills for her foam wash for the ecologically minded. Plus, her online store offers free shipping in the United States.
Shop Nizhóní Soaps' online store
There are so many Native-owned businesses to support this holiday season. Your choice to support these entrepreneurs helps build up our strong Native economy. Thank you.
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