With hundreds of thousands of Native American-owned businesses operating across the United States, Indigenous entrepreneurs are building brands that are reaching customers far beyond their local communities. From fashion and beauty to food, art, and home goods, these companies reflect the creativity and business expertise of founders from many different Tribal Nations and Indigenous backgrounds, each with its own story, traditions, and goals.
As more consumers look for products with craftsmanship, quality, and meaningful stories behind them, many Indigenous-owned brands are earning wider recognition on their own merits. Some draw on generations of cultural knowledge, while others focus on contemporary design, innovation, or entirely new approaches to familiar products. Together, they demonstrate the breadth and diversity of Indigenous entrepreneurship in today’s marketplace.
Here are some of the Indigenous-owned brands gaining national attention—and the products and ideas helping them stand out.
Ginew
Based in Portland, Oregon, Ginew stands out as the only Native American-owned denim line. This brand always produces high-quality, durable denim and leather goods that seamlessly blend traditional Native American teachings and cultural symbols with contemporary fashion. Their commitment to craftsmanship and heritage has earned them a loyal following, representing a true growth in the apparel sector.
Bedré Fine Chocolate
Owned by the Chickasaw Nation, Bedré Fine Chocolate is a premium chocolate brand with a rich history. They offer a range of delicious confections, from chocolate bars to gourmet mixes. Their commitment to quality and their origins within the Chickasaw Nation make them a standout in the food industry. This brand shows how Indigenous nations are navigating diverse economic ventures.
B.YELLOWTAIL
Bethany Yellowtail, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Nation and hailing from the Crow Nation, is the award-winning designer behind B.YELLOWTAIL. This breathtaking fashion line celebrates ancestral tradition, beauty, and culture, offering women’s apparel and handmade accessories by First Nations artisans. It’s a vibrant expression of contemporary Indigenous style.
Cheekbone Beauty
Founded by Jennifer Harper (Anishinaabe), Cheekbone Beauty is an Indigenous-owned and founded sustainable make-up company. They are known for their high-performance makeup in biodegradable packaging. With every purchase, Cheekbone makes a contribution towards supporting Indigenous youth, tying beauty products to meaningful social impact and wellness.
Prados Beauty
Owned and operated by Cece Meadows, a Xicana/Indigenous woman, Prados Beauty offers a full line of vibrant makeup products, from eyeshadow palettes to makeup brushes. The brand is inspired by the blending of Meadows’ vibrant Xicana and Indigenous cultures. They are dedicated to giving back, often supporting Indigenous communities and causes with a portion of their finance.
ThunderVoice
Founded by ethnobotanist Leigh Joseph of the Squamish First Nation, Sḵwálwen Botanicals (skwall-win) is an Indigenous skincare brand. Their products are created by combining cultural plant knowledge with Indigenous science, honoring the ritual of self-care. This brand focuses on natural, sustainably harvested plant ingredients for true wellness benefits.
Eighth Generation
Founded by Louie Gong (Nooksack), Eighth Generation is a Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand. It’s renowned for its wool blankets, phone cases, and other home goods featuring designs by Native artists. This brand has carved out a special place by offering authentic Native-designed products, countering cultural appropriation, and creating opportunities for Indigenous artists to thrive.
We love their motto: “Inspired Natives®, Not Native-Inspired.”
ThunderVoice Hat Co.
ThunderVoice Hat Co. is gaining traction for its handcrafted hats that blend traditional Indigenous artistry with modern fashion. With a commitment to sustainability, they often use reclaimed materials and incorporate elements that honor Indigenous traditions. Their hats are not just accessories; they are wearable pieces of art that tell a story of culture and growth.
The Yukon Soaps Company
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Joella Hogan (Northern Tutchone heritage), founder of The Yukon Soaps Company, has turned this Indigenous-owned brand into a collective that offers handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, and essential oils. Inspired by the Yukon landscape, their products often incorporate natural ingredients and reflect the beauty of the region. It’s an example of how traditional practices can become a successful modern business, impacting beauty and wellness.
Sister Sky
Created by sisters Monica Simeon and Marina TurningRobe from the Spokane & Pauquachin Tribe, Sister Sky is a Native American cosmetics brand. They draw inspiration from the herbal wisdom of their ancestors to create natural body care products. Their products embody a philosophy of health and wellness, bringing Indigenous botanical knowledge to everyday routines.
Manitobah
Founded by Métis entrepreneur Sean McCormick, Manitobah is known for its authentic Indigenous-designed footwear, particularly mukluks and moccasins. The brand prioritizes ethical sourcing and supports Indigenous artisans. They offer fashionable and culturally significant footwear that stands the test of time, reflecting both heritage and modern lifestyle.
Native American-owned businesses contribute significantly to the U.S. economy. As of November 2023, Native Americans own 341,064 businesses, employing over 215,000 Americans, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy. This robust presence shows the increasing economic impact of Indigenous entrepreneurship across various sectors, including the ones mentioned here, indicating substantial growth.
Trickster Company
Siblings Rico and Crystal Worl (Tlingit/Athabascan/Yupik) started Trickster Company as a way to celebrate Northwest Coast culture and art. They offer modern art and design products, including apparel, skateboards, and prints, with fresh, energetic interpretations of traditional Indigenous artwork. Their designs are instantly recognizable and bring a modern flair to traditional art.
Raven Reads
Founded in 2017, Raven Reads is a subscription box service that delivers authentic Indigenous books and gifts directly to customers’ homes. This brand is not only about commerce but also about education and cultural understanding, providing a curated selection of Indigenous content and supporting Indigenous authors and artists. It’s a way to foster growth and inspiration through literature.
The Takeaway
Indigenous-owned brands are becoming an increasingly visible force in the American marketplace, blending cultural heritage, contemporary design, and community-centered values in ways that resonate far beyond their own communities. With more than 341,000 Native American-owned businesses operating in the United States, Indigenous entrepreneurs are making their mark across fashion, beauty, food, home goods, and publishing, while also creating jobs, supporting artists, and preserving cultural knowledge.
Their success reflects not only growing consumer interest in meaningful, story-driven products, but also the broader economic and cultural influence of Indigenous businesses in shaping what modern American commerce looks like.
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