Happy Indigenous Peoples Day! As an Isleta Pueblo woman, I want to talk to y’all about something that is close to my heart: Inspired Native design, as opposed to, Native-inspired design. (Phrase coined by Eighth Generation.) These two phrases sound alike, but there is a big distinction.

Inspired Natives are individuals who are indigenous, American Indian, or native (whichever terminology they prefer) who create art or goods. Native-inspired are non-native individuals or companies who are using Native designs, objects, names or likenesses to sell a product.

Purchasing Native-inspired or appropriated goods instead of those created by Natives, directly hurts the economic and cultural livelihood of Indian artists, craftspeople, and Tribes. According to a 2014 American Community Survey, 28.3% of single-race American Indians and Alaska Natives live in poverty—the highest rate of any race group. For the nation as a whole, the poverty rate was 15.5%.

I want to encourage people to think twice before buying a child-size tipi from a big box store or moccasins from a non-native company. Not only is it economically important, in certain cases it is a violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. (The Indian Arts and crafts Act also has some examples on how to spot potential violations here.)

As I dive deeper into the home design world, I see more and more native-inspired design, and unfortunately, I don’t see as many designers or bloggers showcasing or expressing the importance of purchasing from Native artisans.

Instead, I want to celebrate home goods from inspired natives. These are the folks out there celebrating their heritage in both traditional and modern ways. These are the folks that should be getting our hard-earned dollars.

Please note that this list is a work-in-progress and I want to continue to add to this list as I find more makers and artisans. I also tried to focus on native-owned businesses. There are a lot of businesses out there who sell Native artist’s goods for the artist. There are some that do this in an educated and beneficial way, and there are some who do this in an uneducated, predatory way, this is why I preferred to showcase native-owned companies.

Home Goods and Decor

• Beyond Buckskin
  Beyond Buckskin is “a website dedicated to showcasing and promoting our continent’s first artists and original designers.” Beyond Buckskin largely focuses on wearable art, but they also sell prints and home decor. I am eyeing their beautiful birchbark baskets. Beyond Buckskin also has their own list of Native artisans on their site if you’re interested in exploring more fashion, beauty, food, skincare products and more from Native peoples.
• Eighth Generation
  I first visited Eighth Generation’s physical store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, but I’m happy to report that they also have an online store. Eighth Generation carries art, jewelry, bags, accessories and produces their own line of blankets with Native artists. I’m saving my pennies for one of their wool blankets.
• Kotah Bear
  Kotah Bear primarily specializes in high-quality jewelry, but also carries pottery and affordable, cozy plush blankets.
• Shumakolowa Native Arts
  Shumakolowa Native Arts is the retail arm of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is owned and operated by the 19 Pueblo tribes of New Mexico. The online shop features a wide collection of pottery, fetishes (carvings), baskets, rugs and jewelry. I love these affordable, ceramic travel mugs designed by Pueblo potters. The mugs would make a great Christmas gift!

Wearable art

Although, the following companies focus on fashion, many of the pieces are high quality and I’d use them in my home as wearable art.

• B. Yellowtail
  Bethany Yellowtail and her company, B. Yellowtail have made waves in the design world. She’s been featured in Vogue and her clothes have been seen on the red carpet. Although  mostly specializing in clothing, the B. Yellowtail site also has a collective component where one can purchase artisanal fashion pieces such as earrings, moccasins and handbags. B. Yellowtail also creates silk scarves worthy of a frame on the wall! B. Yellowtail also recently partnered with Crate and Barrel’s Kids for a line of baby bedding and toys. The little stuffed buffalo is adorable!
• J. Okuma
  J. Okuma is a talented artist, as well as designer. Her beadwork is stun-ning! (You can see more of her art here.) In addition to art, J. Okuma sells ready to wear clothing. I would drape one of her silk scarves over my bed or over my body any day!
• Manitoba Mukluks
  Manitoba Mukluks is an Indigenous-owned company, whose “vision is to build a vibrant, global brand that makes a significant impact in Indigenous communities.” Manitoba Mukluks sell mukluks (which are soft boots), moccasins, accessories and story boots made by artisans. I’ve been eyeing a pair of mukluks for-ever and I think I’m going to finally purchase a pair for myself. Plus, they’ll look much better sitting by my front door than a shabby pair of sneakers!
• Thundervoice Hat Company
  “ThunderVoice Hat Co. carries on the lineage of Native Fashion that emerged from a collaboration of cultures.” The hats from Thundervoice are vintage, but have been restyled in a distinctly native way. I’d love to have one to hang on my wall AND put on my head.
• WinstonPaul.Co
  Winston Paul is a Diné owned and operated business that offers a wide variety of products, such as makeup bags, clothing and beaded earrings. Their makeup bags would make a great holiday gift for the beauty enthusiasts in your life.

Art

• John Isaiah Pepion
  John Isaiah Pepion hails from the Blackfeet Nation in northern Montana. Plains art was traditionally done on buffalo hide, but after buffalo eradication programs encouraged by the US federal government made buffalo scarce, Plains artists began painting on what was available– ledger books, in particular. John Isaiah Pepion continues the tradition of ledger art with graphic, hard outlines and solid fields of color. He doesn’t have prints available on his website at the moment, but he does take commissions. You can contact him via his website or Instagram.
• Steven Paul Judd
  Steven Paul Judd is a Kiowa-Choctaw artist and a renaissance man. He owns the clothing company, the NTVS  and he is a writer, director, actor and artist. Phew! I’m tired just thinking about all that. His art work is often humorous and takes old Native imagery and updates it with pop-culture references. He’s been referred to as the “Native Andy Warhol.” You can buy prints, toys and skatedecks in his Etsy shop.
• Nani Chacon
  Nani Chacon is a a Diné/Xicana artist from New Mexico. Her bold paintings and murals explore femininsm, culture and race. Her painting style reminds me of a modern Tamara de Lempicka. Limited-edition Giclee prints are available on her website. I particularly love this one entitled, Walk in Beauty.
• Northwest Native Gifts: featuring the indigenous art of Tlingit Artist Israel Shotridge, Jewelry by Sue & Israel Shotridge, Sealskin Jewelry by Autumn Shotridge
  Northwest Native Gifts is an Etsy shop featuring Northwest Coast Native arts. Their shop has prints, art cards, jewelry and ornaments. I’d love to use their ornaments to make a wrapped gift even more special. If you’re ever in Vashon Island in Washington State, they also have a physical shop!

Visit a Pow Wow in Your Area

According to a NCAI study, Internet penetration is estimated to be less than 10% in Indian Country. I’d like to encourage you to visit a pow wow in your area and talk to vendors and artisans. There are pow wows all over North America and throughout the year. This site lists many pow wows, but not all of them. I’d also encourage you to look at local news and events in your area.

Please don’t be intimidated! We want outsiders to attend our events! My husband, who is of European decent, commented that he was surprised at how “patriotic” and reverent a pow wow was. If you are nervous, this page is dedicated to powwow etiquette— read it and just above all, remember to be respectful.

I hope this gets you thinking and I hope you choose to support Natives!