Did you know that National Truth and Reconciliation Week is happening from Wednesday, September 28th, to Sunday, October 2nd? And specifically, September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation along with Orange Shirt Day! Since we are only a couple of weeks away, I wanted to round up some of my favourite Indigenous-owned businesses to support and where you can purchase your orange shirts from.
Where to Purchase Your Orange Shirts
Orange Shirt Society
Phyllis Webstad is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. She comes from mixed Secwepemc and Irish/French heritage, was born in Dog Creek, and lives in Williams Lake, BC. She is the Founder and Ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society and tours the country, sharing her story and raising awareness about the impacts of the residential school system. While Phyllis doesn’t have orange shirts for sale on her website, they do have suppliers they work with where you can purchase an orange shirt.
Awasis Boutique
For those of you that are Jilly Box subscribers may be familiar with Awasis Boutique as we collaborated with them on an orange shirt add-on for the past Fall Jilly Box. While they’re all sold out of the collaboration shirt, they do have some others available on their website, including some hoodies as well!
Birch Hill Studio
Birch Hill Studio is located in the heart of Vernon, and the Founder, Sierra, is one of my all-time favourite people! They are just releasing their own orange shirts this week, so keep your eyes peeled on their website and social channels to get yours!
Spirit of the Lake Boutique
Tasha Mae Swite, is the founder of Spirit of the Lake Boutique, a Syilx-Okanagan and Assiniboine-Sioux. It’s located in the Heart of the Okanagan and got it’s name Spirit of the Lake after the legendary Ogopogo/N’ha-a-itk, in honour of N’ha-a-itk in Okanagan Lake. Tasha, sells a wide range of Native Art, Native Jewellery and Native Gifts inspired and made by local First Nation Artists and is also selling orange shirts for Orange Shirt Day.
A Few of My Favourite Local Indigenous-Owned Companies
Kekuli Cafe
One of my favourite places to grab a bite to eat in West Kelowna is Kekuli Cafe! They have one of my favourite Indigenous delegacies, bannock. Their tagline is “Don’t panic, we have bannock!”, so whenever I have a hankering for bannock, Kekuli Cafe is my go-to!
Also, if you want to try making bannock, check out the Kekuli Cafe’s blog that they contributed to the site, here!
Indigenous World Winery
Throughout the Okanagan, we are blessed to have so many amazing wineries. There are too many that it’s hard to try them all, but if you follow me on Instagram, you know Justin and I frequently visit the Indigenous World Winery in West Kelowna. They have such incredible food and wine; if you’re from the Okanagan or just visiting, I would highly recommend checking it out!
Sncewips Heritage Museum
Last but certainly not least is the Sncewips Heritage Museum! Team Jilly has visited this local Kelowna museum a few times in the last couple of years, and it’s truly such an unforgettable and memorable experience. If you’re in the Okanagan, I highly recommend stopping by; it’s great to visit with your company and your family and even bring the kiddos along too.
Well, there you have it, 7 of my fave Indigenous-owned businesses to support today, this month (and every month after that!). I’d love to know in the comments what are some of your favourite Indigenous-owned businesses?
xo
Jilly
I’ve been meaning to buy a shirt but wanted to support locals, this list is super handy!!