Whether we like it or not, Christmas is fast approaching. That means it’s time to start planning who’s hosting Christmas lunch, what food is being served and what you’re gifting your loved ones. If you want to support Indigenous businesses this Christmas, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite Aboriginal-owned businesses, artists and products that would make killer gifts – check it out.
FISH (Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health)
FISH is an amazing organisation that aims to develop sustainable health for Aboriginal people through co-designed community-based programs.
Beyond the amazing work they do in the community, they have a shop front that sells and promotes an amazing range of products from Aboriginal-owned businesses. The physical store is in Mt Lawley or you can shop online and get your gifts delivered. You’re guaranteed to find something for anyone in your life at FISH.
Our pick of the bunch? This Diverse Woman 1000 piece puzzle. Not only is it an amazing summer holiday project, but the finished design becomes a stunning piece of art that you can frame in hang in your home. The artist is Rachael Sarra, an Indigenous artist and designer from Goreng Goreng country that uses art as a tool for storytelling and education.
Gift a cultural tour
Who doesn’t love an experience as a gift? Especially if you’re gifting the experience *and* you get to go, too! Go Cultural is a Boorloo (Perth) based company that runs a range of tours that dive deep into the Noongar history and culture of that area. From Karrgatup (Kings Park) to Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), tour guides Walter and Meg McGuire will have you eating out of the palm of their hands!
Their tours would also make a great day out over the summer school holidays, so gift the family a tour and get the kids out of the house and deep into our culture and history!
Bobbi Lockyer
Bobbi Lockyer is a self-proclaimed “colour-obsessed, queer feminist pink-haired mermaid queen”, but she’s a proud Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul & Yarwuru woman who was born and raised on Kariyarra Country in Port Hedland, WA. She has been kicking massive goals in the art space, having just attended New York Fashion Week to show her label, Gantharri.
Whilst you can’t purchase any Gantharri pieces just yet, you can own a piece of Bobbi’s epic artwork to hang with pride in your home or office. There’s a huge range on prints on her site, making them the perfect little gifts for secret santa or teachers.
Clothing the Gaps
If you’re not across Clothing the Gaps, where have you been? They’re an epic Aboriginal-owned clothing business out of Naarm (Melbourne) and sell a massive range of tees, bottoms, hoodies and accessories. The best part? They clearly state which items are mob-only and which are ally friendly, so you can be comfortable in repping the item of your choice.
Have a browse in their shopfront and you’ll quickly find a piece you love, but we can’t go past their Christmas PJs! Perfect for Christmas morning, they're gender-inclusive, ally friendly and to be honest, they just look too comfy! Watch out, I'll probably be wearing these all year - just don't tell Santa!
Fine Lines by Allyra
We may be biased as Allyra was one of the super talented artists that illustrated our book (more on that next!), but her modern fine line illustrations make one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give this Christmas.
Allyra is a young artist who’s doing incredible things in the space of digital illustration. One look at her Instagram page and you’ll want her to illustrate all of your most cherished moments! It's super easy to request a custom illustration, simply place your order through the link in her Instagram bio, submit a photo for replication and she’ll take care of the rest!
Kaya Kwopetok Koorlang Yok: Dear Beautiful Young Woman
Finally, we’d be crazy not to mention our own book that’s fresh off the presses this year – Kaya Kwopetok Koorlang Yok: Dear Beautiful Young Woman. A gorgeous book filled with 28 inspiring stories from a range of women in our circle, the book would make a visually stunning and impactful present for any woman in your life. You can catch a sneak peak of the woman featured and order the book here.
