Banff 
Giving handmade gifts can make the holidays a little more special.
Shop Alberta’s numerous Indigenous-owned shops and businesses to find handmade or locally made gifts for everyone on your list.
Esáwa Gifts & Gallery
That special gift can be something they can display in their home for years to come, something they can use every day like clothes, beauty products, and housewares, or something extra they wouldn’t think to get themselves. A few of the stores listed do sell craft and bead supplies or offer workshops too, if you would prefer to get crafty yourself.
1. Esâwa Gifts and Gallery
This High Level gift shop and gallery offers enough variety that you could make it a one-stop-shop for holiday shopping. Begin with the youngest people on your list in their baby department with adorable moccasins and knitwear. The moccasins come in children and adult sizes too, or you can truly warm someone’s winter with a new pair of mukluks. Beyond their clothing and accessory selection is a gallery of authentic soapstone, birch bark, and canvas art.
Where: 10206 100 Ave., High Level
2. Metis Crossing Gift Shop
You can come here for the gift shop but stay for a day’s visit at the Metis Crossing Cultural Centre. The Centre is on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River in Smoky Lake County in the spot of former Metis river lots inhabited during the fur trade. The selection of gifts in their shop includes thoughtful and handmade cards, clothing, art, and other small items that tell meaningful stories of Metis history and culture.
Admission: $15 per person
Where: 17339 Victoria Trail, Smoky Lake
3. Western Varieties
Though not Indigenously owned, Western Wholesale Varieties have a large selection of First Nations gifts. The list of departments includes home décor, clothing, accessories, bedding, moccasins, stationery, and more. A unique holiday offering from Western Varieties is their selection of pre-wrapped toys for events like corporate Christmas parties.
Where: 7003 Roper Rd., Edmonton
4. I AM – Indigenous Artist Market Collective
The Indigenous Artist Market Collective are set up every Saturday and Sunday at Edmonton’s Downtown Farmers’ Market. And for specific holiday shopping, you stop by their miyitowin ᒥᔨᑐᐃᐧᐣ Exchange of gifts: Last Minute Shop Till You Drop Event on December 16 & 17 in Edmonton.
Where: Downtown Farmers’ Market 10305 97 Street, 2nd floor Edmonton
5. Whiskey Jack Art House
The downtown Edmonton Whiskey Jack Art House is an Indigenous-owned gallery and boutique shop with a great variety of art, but also several skincare products, tea, preserves, jewelry, and gift cards for those on your list who are a bit harder to shop for at Christmas. Shop online or visit their gallery and store to see it all for yourself.
Where: 11051 97 St NW #102, Edmonton
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6. Our Native Land
Your holidays might take you to Alberta’s Rockies. If so, there are several places to pick up excellent unique gifts. In Jasper, Our Native Land offers a selection of high quality and handmade gifts for all types of art lovers. These unique items include décor, paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and pottery.
Where: 601 Patricia St., Jasper
7. Capture Your Dreams Indigenous Fashions & Jewelry
If anyone on your list of people to buy for this Christmas need a new wardrobe, or at least new pieces, Capture Your Dreams can be of assistance. Their colourful options of clothing, bedding, and jewelry can be viewed on their website gallery and purchased in person.
Where: 528 1 St E, Cochrane
8. Moonstone Creation
Shop online or in-person at this local Calgary clothing and craft shop for a huge variety of different gift ideas this holiday season. At Moonstone Creations shoppers are likely to find something for everyone from Moonstone’s different styles of handmade clothing, jewelry, facemasks, art, and skincare. You’ll also find everything you need to make your own gifts if you’re feeling crafty. Moonstone offers every colour of bead imaginable!
Where: 1219 10 Ave. SE, Calgary
9. Boy Chief Trading Post
Make a visit to Boy Chief, a 100% Indigenous owned and operated trading post, to browse their huge selection of handmade clothing, accessories, beaded and metal jewelry, bags, and wallets. The store has recently grown to include an online store and shopping experience if you are not able to make it out to the Trading Post. Read more about the history of Boy Chief here.
Where: Ab 901, Siksika
10. Samson Native Gallery
If your holiday brings you to Banff or Lake Louise this year, spend an afternoon at the Samson Mall. Here you can find not only the Samson Native Art Gallery, but more local shopping, dining, and outdoor rentals. Take your time through the gallery and enjoy the local art while keeping in mind your holiday shopping. Many of the local artists have created unique pieces your loved ones can use everyday like mugs, office and kitchenware, footwear, jewelry, and clothing.
Where: 101 Village Rd, Lake Louise
11. Eagle Spirit Gifts
Eagle Spirit Gifts is in the southern Alberta town of Cardston, a short drive south from Lethbridge. You can peek their current stock and prices on their Facebook page or send them a direct message for ordering. These gifts are perfect for the coming winter, too, with many handmade blankets, bed sets, and warm clothing available.
Where: 555 Main St. Bay 5 Carriage Lane Mall, Cardston
12. Pe Metawe Games
Pe Metawe is an Indigenous-owned tabletop café in Edmonton. And while the café offers a great place to gather for a family game night over the holiday season, they also offer a huge selection of great gift ideas for any gaming style between cards, boards, and RPGs. To give you a good idea of their selection, they carry over 350 different board games alone.
Where: 11805 94 St. NW, Edmonton
13. Bearclaw Gallery
Edmonton’s Bearclaw Gallery is an art gallery and shop which features Canadian First Nations, Metis, and Inuit artists. Stop by to view their annual Christmas Exhibition before finding a handmade gift for someone special. Their retail section includes scarves, books, dreamcatchers, kitchenware, ties, and small home décor items.
Where: 10403 124 St. NW, Edmonton
14. Authentically Indigenous Holiday Market
Authentically Indigenous are a collective who host markets throughout the year, and who have done so for over 6 years now. The Authentically Indigenous Holiday Market takes place in late November of 2023 with a full list of local vendors. Experience a relaxed and much more peaceful holiday shopping experience while finding gifts you can’t get anywhere else in Alberta.
When: November 25-26, 2023
Where: Kerby Centre gym 1133 7 Ave. SW, Calgary
15. Augustana Indigenous Artisan Holiday Market
The University of Alberta’s Augustana campus in Camrose hosts a wonderful event each year that brings together artisans from the U of A, and all over central Alberta. The market is a one-day event and is a perfect way to show some love and support for the array of artists in the province. You might find jewelry, art, décor, clothing, and more.
When: November 25, 2023
Where: Augustana Forum Building, Camrose
16. Tsuu’tina Nation’s Christmas at the Nation
This ticketed three-day event takes place in mid-December to celebrate Indigenous performers, artists, and business owners. Beyond great gift shopping, the event also offers photos with Santa, a craft corner (for making your own ornaments), food sales, and live performances.
When: December 15-17, 2023
Where: Seven Chiefs Sportsplex and Chief Jim Starlight Centre 19 Bullhead Road, Tsuut’ina Nation
