15 Indigenous Artisans in Toronto to Support This Holiday Season

The holiday season is the perfect time to support local artists and artisans. With numerous markets and showcases taking place throughout the city, there are always plenty of opportunities to discover new talent and buy directly from the artists. Despite the opportunities this time of year provides for artisans and small businesses though, it can also emphasize the lack of diversity and inclusion that exists within the arts. As we are encouraged to shop and support local, it is also important to encourage and seek diversity.

We at Purple Glow Collective had the honour of hosting some talented small businesses and artisans at our Art Showcase and Market this past November, but wanted to further do what we can to amplify the voices of communities who are underrepresented. There are so many unique and talented Indigenous artists based in Tkaronto creating traditional and contemporary works that celebrate Indigenous culture, so we’ve compiled this list to promote the discovery of the diverse artistic talents that exist within the city. Many of the artists on this list are showcasing works at the Indigenous Art Market located on Queen Street East. Hosted by ANDPVA, the Indigenous Art Market promotes and sells the works of Indigenous artists.

Give the gift of local art, apparel, and crafts this holiday season while supporting Indigenous Artisans and strengthening representation within the Toronto arts community.

Sage Paul

Sage Paul, an urban Denesulinétskwe and member of English River First Nation, is an award-winning artist and designer. A founding collective member and Artistic Director of Indigenous Fashion Week, Paul is a recognized leader of Indigenous fashion, craft and textiles. Paul creates conceptual, narrative-driven pieces and has exhibited work at many notable institutions, including the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Warren Steven Scott

Warren Steven Scott, a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation, whose territory is located in the interior of present-day British Columbia, is a contemporary accessory designer, fashion designer, tailor, and craftsperson. Scott creates earrings, clothing, and artwork that merge the concept of Western luxury fashion with an ancestral, Indigenous lens.

Owned and operated by Skye Paul, Sage Paul’s sister, Running Fox Beads offers beadwork that sustains traditional Indigenous skills and knowledge. Taught by family and community, Paul beads tattoo flash-inspired designs with Dene florals. Paul’s primary mediums are beadwork and illustration, which has led to caribou hair tufting, quillwork, leatherwork and installation. 

Lesley Hampton

This Indigenous-owned, size inclusive clothing and accessory brand was created by Leslie Hampton, an Anishinaabe artist and fashion designer. Hampton is a member of

Temagami First Nation, located in northern Ontario. Leslie Hampton offers everything from eveningwear and occasionwear to athleticwear and leisurewear. Committed to slow fashion and sustainable practices, Hampton’s items are made to order locally in Toronto. Hampton is an ambassador for equality, diversity, and authentic representation of both beauty standards and culture within the fashion and media industries.

Assinewe Jewelry 

Assinewe Jewelry is run by Edie and Jacquelyn Assinewe, twin sisters who are members of Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation. Assinewe Jewelry offers beadwork and clay earrings, incorporating traditional Ojibwe styles and techniques into designs.

Bone and Quill

Inspired by a story called "The Condor meets the Eagle", Bone and Quill represents the philosophy of how Indigenous peoples from the North and South will one day fly side by side in unity, tying it into Indigenous handmade jewelry. Bone and Quill, creates this symbolism through the use of porcupine quills, elk and deer antler bone from the North and copper and silver from the South, inlaid in the aromatic palo santo (wood).

Patrick Hunter Art & Design

Patrick Hunter is a 2 Spirit Ojibway artist, graphic designer, and entrepreneur from Red Lake, Ontario. Although known for his paintings in the Woodland art style, Hunter also offers prints, greeting cards, and a collection of apparel and houseware products, including mugs, gift cards, ornaments, and serving boards. Hunter has been involved in various artistic and graphic collaborations, such as with RBC and West Elm.

Melanie Bartel

Melanie Martel is a Nishnaable contemporary artist who believes art is healing and therapeutic. Bartel studied at Claude Watson School for the Arts and at OCAD briefly. Bartel offers paintings, note cards, and earrings, and is known for her expressive and intuitive ability to capture emotion, personality, and spirit with paint and mixed-media on wood cradled panels.

Keitha Keeshig Tobias

Keitha Keeshig Tobias is a modern Indigenous artist from Neyaashiinigmiing Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nations and the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown. Tobias creates artwork, murals, hand-painted jackets, jewelry, and apparel inspired by pen and ink fairy tale illustrations and Indigenous culture.

Mo Thunder

Mo Thunder is Onkwehonwe [Onyota’a:ka with family ties to Oneida Nation of the Thames x Aamjiwnaang First Nation] and French-Canadian. They’re a non-binary, neuroemergent artist and visual storyteller working in various mediums, including painting, collaging, beading, journaling, poetry, and textiles. Mo expresses stories about their lived experiences with their mind, heart, spirit, and body. Mo is inspired by intergenerational connections, ancestors, kin, community, healing and growth, all of creation, sky world, and personal/collective empowerment.

Pacha Indigenous Art Collection

Pacha Indigenous Art Collection is an Indigenous (kichwa) family owned store with the goal of connecting Indigenous arts and artists from North and South America. Pacha Indigenous Art Collection has an online shop featuring products from diverse artists including accessories, prints, paintings, books, cards, and clothing.

Resist Clothing

Created by Mitch Gegwetch (Ojibwe/Anishinaabe and a member of Sagamok First Nation), Resist Clothing is a Native owned and operated Premium Streetwear brand. Resist Clothing offers unique designs on high quality garments. With the goal of amplifying the presence and voices of Indigenous people, Resist Clothing shares profits with Indigenous charities that protect and uplift Indigenous Communities.

SunHeart Rises Designs

Owned and operated by Indigenous artisan Trip Phoenix, SunHeart Rises Designs makes traditional and contemporary jewelry and accessories made from leather, bone, horn, glass, shell, and other natural materials.

Outlier Leather Co.

Outlier Leather Co. is a lifestyle brand created by David Spence, a Nisichawayasihk (Treaty 5)  Cree man. Outlier Leather Co. offers handcrafted, high-quality and ethically sourced materials from eco-conscious tanneries.

Ode’imin Inde’ Designs

Created by oji-cree artist Katie Couchie, Ode’imin Inde’ Designs offers handmade, Indigenous beadwork.

Art & DesignChiara LucchettaHoliday market, toronto, tkaronto, indigenous business, indigenous artist, shop local, support local, toronto art, toronto artists