Supporting Indigenous-owned businesses this festive season

To celebrate NAIDOC Week this year, why not shop for Christmas early and support our Indigenous businesses? We’ve come up with a list of Indigenous-owned businesses with great gift options for you to check out. 

Gammin Threads

Gammin Threads boasts a variety of chillwear and accessories like pins and keychains for you to pick from. The label was founded by Indigenous Melbourne-based designer Tahnee out of her love of typography, language and Blak pride. Inspired by NAIDOC 2018’s theme ‘Because of her, we can’, the main goal of the brand is to pay respect to Indigenous culture and empower women. 

Take your pick from her retro-inspired designs featuring various uplifting Indigenous phrases to give your loved ones something fun and meaningful this Christmas. 

Clothing the Gap

Clothing the Gap is a Victorian-owned and led social enterprise. A dynamic fashion label that celebrates Indigenous culture, their purpose is to promote equity for Indigenous people. From t-shirts to caps and tote bags to stickers, they produce a range of merchandise that promote their values. 

Unsure about which items to purchase or wear if you are non-Indigenous? Clothing the Gap labels their items ally-friendly (for everyone) or mob-friendly (designed solely for Indigenous people to wear). 

Gillawarra Arts 

Specialising in beautiful handmade jewelry and prints, Gillawarra Arts products are sustainably sourced, produced and packaged – inspired by the cultural philosophy passed down through generations to “tread lightly and only leave your footprints”. 

The team also hosts workshops where you can create different kinds of Indigenous art pieces, learn more about cultural skills and appreciate traditional knowledge and stories. A great idea for a relaxing and memorable experience with friends and family.

Magabala Books

This year, what better way to celebrate NAIDOC week as part of Christmas than with the gift of a powerful story in an Indigenous voice? Indigenous owned and led, Magabala Books publishes across a range of genres – from children’s picture books, memoirs, fiction (junior, young adult and adult), non-fiction, graphic novels, social history and poetry – meaning there are options for anyone. 

Magabala is committed not only to publishing Indigenous authors, but to nurturing and providing professional development to emerging Indigenous storytellers. Profits from each purchase from Magabala Books will go into supporting Indigenous creative, cultural and economic futures. 

Take Pride Movement

Take Pride Movement offers a selection of timeless pieces of clothing and apparel, providing various options for you to pick a gift from. 

The fashion label was created to celebrate pride, love and resilience of First Nations People and to serve as a symbol of unity and strength for anyone and everyone to represent Indigenous Australians. A great place to get a statement piece for your loved ones this Christmas. 

Jarin Street

Holidays are all about taking time to relax – and Jarin Street, which sells yoga mats and apparel featuring Indigenous designs, might just have the perfect gift to help your loved ones unwind in style. 

The idea for the store started when Founder Jarin Baigent felt inspired to find a way for everyone to connect to Indigenous artworks through wellbeing, movement and honouring Indigenous art and stories on yoga equipment and clothing. Jarin Street is committed to supporting Indigenous artists and businesses by highlighting Indigenous artists for their work and being a safe business for artists to work with, where artists can be part of the design and business aspect of their art.

The Koorie Circle

A wonderful place to get some earrings – The Koorie Circle is a small family Aboriginal business and their products are made here in Australia. Offering a selection of contemporary Aboriginal designed earrings with a collection made from sustainably sourced timber. Each piece is made for anyone to wear. These earrings  are worn to celebrate the culture, history and identity of Aboriginal Australia.

For more information on how to celebrate, check out the NAIDOC Week website. To find more Indigenous businesses to support, visit Supply Nation business directory.