It's been a while since we've done a Holiday Gift Guide, and we are excited to do it this year! We hope that some of these items inspire you to Buy Native this season and support some pretty amazing artists. Beyond Buckskin works with dozens of artists to promote and sell their work through our online Boutique and physical retail store located on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in Belcourt, ND. We also promote Native artists and entrepreneurs through our BUY NATIVE list. Even if you're on a tight budget this year, please consider sharing this guide with your networks.I estimate that I spend anywhere from $1,000-$2,000 per year on gifts. Whether you think this number is high, or is only a fraction of what you spend, or that you don't spend any money at all, we can't deny that money is circulating this time of year, and I'm here to help redirect any tiny bit of that to artists, to Native-owned businesses, and to community initiatives.
If we can redirect any of that amount from major companies over to supporting Native-owned businesses that foster job creation and boost local economic development, all while encouraging tribal self-determination and making traditional practices viable career options for our tribal members, I think that would bring so much more additional meaning and purpose to our holiday spending.
We have the power to change what the world looks like with the choices we make in how we spend our money. Do we want to invest in, and support, a company that profits off of the current Native-inspired trend, while having no connection to or understanding of Native people, cultures or communities, or do we want to support and promote the ones who inspired the trend in the first place, the original, Aboriginal artists of this continent? We can bring greater recognition to the genius of these artists, to the creativity of our ancestors, and to the beauty of our stories and traditional practices, and all for the betterment of our communities.
We can make a change. We can make this world a better place. We can provide more opportunities to talented Native American people. We can create flourishing economies here, on Indigenous lands and in our communities. It takes small steps, but those steps lead to bigger ones, and they lead to more opportunities and possibilities.
When I launched the Beyond Buckskin Boutique, I realized how hard it was for the average person to access Native-made items. When the Boutique launched in 2012, we were part of a movement to get more Native-owned businesses online. And now, we have access to dozens of top-notch options, which you can view at our BUY NATIVE list link, a list that continues to grow.
Now, I know that our time is precious, and we'd much rather be spending that time with family and friends instead of spending hours hunting down the perfect gift for loved ones. So, I want to make it easy for folks to buy and support Native-made this holiday season.
So, I give you my quick and dirty (and by 'dirty', I mean 'fabulous') guide to giving awesome Native-made gifts this year. Just click, add to cart, and check-out. Ta-da!
For Anyone:
Resiliency Blanket by Tessa Sayers (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)
Double-dip with this “Give Back” gift. Click here to learn more.
For Him:
Club/BBTee by various Native American artists
Subscribe him and get a new tee every month, cancel anytime. Click here to learn more.
For Her:
Give her the gift of a shopping spree. Click here to see the options.
For Teens:
Beaded Black Wayfarers by Candace Halcro (Cree/Metis)
Ultra-cool, even for the coolest of teens. Click here to see the options.
For a Female Colleague or Boss:
Four Medicines Mini Medallion by Tashina Lee Emery (Ojibwe)
To wear or carry the sacred protective medicines wherever they venture. Click here to see the options.
For a Daughter:
Miigis Bracelets by Jessica R. Metcalfe (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)
Adjustable, culture-infused, and trendy. Click here to see the options.
For a Son:
Azure Water Necktie by Tessa Sayers (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)
Set him up for greatness. Click here to shop now.
For Grandparents:
Sky Star Blanket by Tessa Sayers (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)
They’ll love the design and comfort. Click here to shop now.
For Mom:
Any of the Earth Glam Layered Necklaces by Beyond Buckskin
They are the perfect blend of modest and sparkly. Click here to see the options.
For Dad:
Soul Curiosity Brown Necktie by Tessa Sayers (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)
Timeless and versatile. Click here to shop now.
For a Special Nephew:
Eagle Tech Tee (Slate) by Beyond Buckskin
Bold and cool. Click here to shop.
For a Special Niece:
Ogimaakwe Zipper Pouch by Beyond Buckskin
Let her know she can be whatever she wants to be. Click here to shop the options.
For a Baby or Toddler:
TP Mocs by Maria Running Fisher Jones (Blackfeet)
So fricken adorable. Click here to shop the options.
For a Special Auntie or Uncle:
Pucker Toe Moccasins by Jamie Gentry (Kwakwaka'wakw)
Let them putt around the house and look caddy. Click here to shop the options.
For a College Student:
Eagles Print by Topah Spoonhunter (Paiute/Northern Arapaho)
Remind them their uniqueness is valued. Click here to purchase.
Still unsure? You can’t go wrong with Soul Curiosity’s Blankets, or our unique Jewelry Gift Sets, or our Gift Certificates. Or, shop our Top Sellers or Items Under $50.