Holiday Gift Guide: Shop Indigenous Businesses this Holiday Season
I’iwi Long dress Fire Lehua from Dezigns By Kamohoalii. Credit: Dezigns By Kamohoalii/ Instagram
This festive season we’re here to help you check everyone off your shopping list with our holiday gift guide! All the businesses listed are locally owned and operated and many are also women owned and operated. Help support indigenous businesses and local communities and charities with your gift giving this holiday season!
Charitable Foundations
Coral Gardeners
Did you know that 25% of marine life calls coral reefs their home, yet they only account for 1% of the worlds’ surface? Working to help combat the effects of climate change on their Tahitian Island home, Coral Gardeners offer you the opportunity to adopt a piece of global warming resistant super coral of your choosing. All donors also receive a photo and GPS coordinates of their contribution, so they can see their donation at work.
Te Mana o te Moana
Te Mana o te Moana acts to understand, care for and protect the sea turtles of French Polynesia. The organization collects sick, injured and maimed sea turtles and provides medical services, care and rehabilitation for these wise creatures of the sea.
Association of Oceania
The mission of the Association of Oceania is to protect the Polynesian cetacean populations which include whales and dolphins through research and conservation programs, you can become a member or donate at their website.
Fashion & Beauty
Robert Wan Pearls
For more than 40 years Robert Wan has consistently produced some of the world’s most exquisite pearls. The production of cultured Tahitian pearls relies on careful observation and respect of the marine environment of French Polynesia to produce the perfect pearl.
Dezigns By Kamohoalii
Created by world-renowned Kumu Hula Micah Kamohoalii in 2005, this line of clothing strives to educate in the ways of Hawaiian designs. They aim to honor the breath of life from our Kupuna (ancestors) by perpetuating, preserving, and retelling our stories in the designs we wear on their clothing.
Briogeo Hair Care
Briogeo Hair Care was founded by BIPOC Nancy Twine, who started her own hair care company after being disappointed by other natural hair care products. Briogeo has a wide range of hair products, their Scalp Revival Exfoliating Shampoo is a Pacific Storytelling favorite and a must for an itchy scalp (or those washing their hair less in quarantine…).
CultureFit Clothing
Founded by women of West African decent, active wear brand CultureFit Clothing is the perfect gift for the female fitness lover in your life. From sports bras, to leggings and tops and even yoga mats, they have all the workout essentials in a range of vibrant colors and West African print designs. CultureFit strives to celebrate their culture and to invite women to embrace all the world’s cultures.
beautyblender
For the beauty lovers in your life, gifting a beautyblender is a must! Latina Founder and CEO Rea Ann Silva created the essential makeup sponge over seventeen years ago, which is beloved by celebrities and makeup artists alike. For the holidays the beauty brand has created a range of special gifts from the blue-green colored Aurora to the classic pink blender with cleaner ‘Shining Star’, which is packaged like a Christmas tree ornament. Now that’s an ornament I’d like to see on my tree!
Food & Beverage
McBride Sisters Wine
Get your loved ones what they really want this year… the gift of wine! BIPOC sisters Robin and Andréa McBride were reunited as adults after growing up in wine countries on opposite sides of the world, Robin in California and Andréa in New Zealand. After reuniting they started their own company, McBride Sisters Wine. In addition to their signature McBride Sister Wine Collection, they have a Black Girl Magic Collection which is dedicated to their culture and unique story.
