Tribal Nations are some of the largest employers in Oklahoma. Their economic impact is well into the billions of dollars. They support road projects, schools and local economies where they reside. They employ thousands of people in their casinos, hotels, entertainment venues and restaurants
And, there are a lot of smaller businesses that do business in the state — independent of the tribes. They sell goods like textiles, chocolate, coffee, beer, clothing, housewares and my personal favorite: jewelry (specifically earrings)!
When the pandemic hit in the spring of 2020, artists I spoke with were severely impacted by the shutdown. Many made almost half their annual income selling at powwows, art markets, museum shows like the Heard Art Market and most notably the Santa Fe Indian Market. That dried up as the virus quickly spread through Indigenous communities, who were hit the hardest by the pandemic.
Today, Indigenous communities have the highest vaccination rate, but there is still a long way to go to recover. Many first language speakers, culture bearers and storyteller were lost-these are often the inspiration for artisans and their work.
Kelli Mosteller, the executive director of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center, said they shifted their focus to making more of their products available online, and they used it as a time to develop more products in house. While the gift shop was closed for three months, they developed new t-shirts and other items featuring the Potawatomi flag and language.
"To demonstrate that Potawatomi pride," said Mosteller. "We see ourselves as a place to get people inspired and take classes to teach the skills to make some products they see in the store."
The store sells rattles and smudge bowls by artist Jason Wesaw as well as leather bracelets and earrings by Patti Frakes.
In Ada, the Chickasaw Nation is holding their annual holiday art market — it's a seasonal storefront in the heart of downtown that offers everything from DVD's, books, jewelry, pottery, Bedre chocolates and textiles made by and about Chickasaw Nation citizens. These are all Chickasaw made products that feature the southeast design.
Lona Berrick, the executive director for cultural tourism for the Chickasaw Nation, is proud to feature the textiles of Margaret Roach Wheeler, poetry and Daniel Worchester, who is also a blacksmith and makes knives from steel that is over 100 years old.
Their DVD selection features the film Te Ata, an actress and storyteller who was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1957 and named an Oklahoma Cultural Treasure in 1987.
Rugs, scarves, pillows and blankets by Mahota Textiles are also for sale at the Chickasaw Nation Art Market. The company is Margaret Roach Wheeler's brainchild. Born in Tishomingo, Wheeler taught high school art and lived all over until she officially moved back to Sulphur, Oklahoma and started an artist run gallery and studio there with weaving looms belonging to her grandmother (that's who the business is named after). She eventually convinced Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby to invest in the business after she found a company in Pennsylvania that could digitize the Mississippian pattern designs for mass production.
A lot has changed in the way people shop. People are opting to shop small and support local businesses. During a season with still so much uncertainty, store owners are still doing online orders, curbside delivery and maybe limited hours.
Below is a list of places, products, online businesses all over Oklahoma where you can buy a gift for someone special (or yourself) and support local and support Indigenous. Happy Shopping!
ArclightCNC in Red Oak, OK - etsy.com/shop/3DMetalWorks
ArclightCNC produces unique and personalized custom coat of arms, family crests, trophies, home decor, and custom parts with their CNC plasma machine at affordable prices. ArclightCNC custom-designed art pieces are perfect to hang on the walls of nurseys, living rooms, patios, RVs and more! Products are always cut from quality steel and powder coating services to prevent oxidation, so your personalized artwork will last more than a lifetime!
Bad Granny's Bazaar in OKC - visitokc.com/listings/bad-grannys-bazaar/3743/
Bad Granny's Bazaar in OKC's Plaza District features curious collectibles, retro and vintage clothing, kitschy gifts, furnishings, jewelry, art and more! Upcycled, recycled, repurposed, nearly new and gently used.
Bedre Chocolates - bedrechocolates.com
The tag line: Ancient Traditions, Modern Flavors.
Our recipes are tried and true and reflect the time-honored tradition of the Native American peoples who first cultivated this divine delicacy. Now, as the only Native American tribe to create its own brand of fine chocolate, we take great pride in our products and instill our cultural passion into every delicious morsel. Given our strong ties to our culture and community, we make an effort to give back to the land and people who support us
Bluestem Body - bluestembody.com
Carpe Artem - instagram.com/carpeartemokc
Carpe Artem is a modern space that showcases innovative craftsmanship of a select group of creators representing all forms of artistry. 405.358.7127
Cherokee Nation Art Market - visitcherokeenation.com/cherokee-art-market
Cherokee Art Market is an all-virtual event featuring elite artists and artisans representing tribes from across the United States. From Dec. 6 – 17, 2021, view and purchase Native American artwork of unrivaled quality.
Cherokee Nation Gift Shop - cherokee.org/visit-us/cherokee-gift-shop/
The Cherokee Nation Gift Shop offers something for everyone. It’s your one-stop shopping location for fine art, books, music, and gifts both online and in person. Jewelry by Cherokee artists and citizens of other federally recognized tribes are a highlight. You can also find an exceptional array of Pendleton goods.
Chickasaw Holiday Market
Open Tues-Sat 10-6 p.m. (Will be open until Dec. 30)
105 W. Main St., Ada, Oklahoma
Works from featured Chickasaw artists include Joanna Underwood Blackburn, Dustin Mater, Jeannie Barbour, Courtney Starns-Smith, Doneeta Nowlin and Linda Cooper, among others.
Citizen Potawatomi Gift Shop - potawatomigifts.com
Citizen Potawatomi Gift Shop is your one-stop shop for Native-made and Native-themed gifts. We offer original works as well as limited prints by Native American artists, along with handmade jewelry and supplies for artisans working on their own projects.
Comanche Gift Shop in Lawton - comanchenation.com/departments/museum-gift-shop
Comanche Nation Tourism aids the Nation by the following: Generating revenue through product sales. Increases cultural awareness of the general public. Serves as a local location to purchase Comanche goods. Acts as an outlet for Comanche art to be put into circulation.
Comanche Shirt Company - comancheshirtco.com
We handprint local inspired goods and curate goods right here in Historic Medicine Park. Our goods are for the camp loving, trail hiking, music loving, SUP paddling, picnic packing, creek swimming locals and tourists of our lovely state.
Common Roots Mercantile in McAlester, OK - shopcommonroots.com
Common Roots Mercantile opened in 2014 and carries a wide variety of unique gifts. It also offers over 30 flavors of ice-cold, glass-bottled soda and sweet treats to enjoy while shopping.
Exhibit C Gallery - exhibitcgallery.com
Exhibit C Gallery is a 4,000 sq. ft. art gallery and retail space located in the Bricktown district of downtown Oklahoma City. Proudly owned by the Chickasaw Nation, Exhibit C is used as a means to highlight talented First American artists who represent their communities throughout Oklahoma.
First Americans Art Magazine - firstamericanartmagazine.com
Give the gift of a subscription to Oklahoma based First American Art Magazine, LLC (FAAM), which broadens understanding of art by Indigenous peoples of the Americas from tribal communities to the global art world.
First Americans Museum - famok.org
The First Americans Museum opened in September after much anticipation. In addition to telling the story of Indigenous Oklahoma, they have a wonderful gift store selling handmade jewelry, pottery, books about Oklahoma's Indigenous artists and Pendleton goods. You might be able to meet Indigenous Santa there too!
Indian Trading Post and Art - travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.22131
At Indian Trading Post & Art in Calumet, you can shop for all kinds of Native American themed apparel, knick-knacks and other memorabilia. A great stop just off I-40, the trading post offers the perfect chance to pick up a pair of soft leather moccasins or colorful hand-beaded jewelry. This nostalgic store also carries Native American art from a large number of nearby tribes, including pottery, paintings and other great pieces.
Jae Anthony-Wilson - instagram.com/j.birdbeadwork
Beaded earrings and jewelry
Kiowa Tribal Gift Shop - kiowa-tribe-gift-shop.square.site
Kiowa Tribe Gift Shop is your one-stop shop for Native-made and Native-themed gifts. We offer original works as well as limited prints by Native American artists, along with handmade jewelry and supplies for artisans working on their own projects. Our storefront is located inside the Kiowa Tribe Complex at 100 Kiowa Way in Carnegie, Oklahoma
KreativeNative - kristingentry.com
Looking for a photographer to take that perfect holiday photo? Look no further! Kristin Gentry offers cultural preservation through fine art and portrait photography. Kristin was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has worked as a professional artist since 2005.
Looped Square Meat Co.
Muscogee Nation's new meat processing plant is designed to fight food insecurity within the tribal nation. It features a retail shop and a test kitchen. Located south of Duck Creek Casino a few miles south of Glenpool on U.S. 75.
Mahota Textiles - mahotatextiles.com
Mahota Textiles is the first textile company envisioned and owned by a North American tribe. We create meaningful textiles that elevate the beauty and treasured culture, inspired by our Southeast heritage. Our textiles tell our stories in expressive imagery and soft, warm woven material.
Modern Tribal Nations in Mullhall, OK - moderntribalnations.com
MTN is a small family owned brand that strives to treat our supporters just like family. We hope when you bring home one of our beautiful MTN Products, whether it's a T-Shirt or blanket.
National Cowboy Museum Gift Shop - nationalcowboymuseum.org
Jewelry, gifts, apparel
The NTVS - thentvs.com
A Native owned clothing company established in 2014. Our brand is for everyone who supports indigenous culture. We encourage you to buy authentic and not the cheap knock-off designs that appropriate the culture.
OGahPah Coffee - shop.ogahpahcoffee.com
Freshly roasted coffee from the Quapaw Nation. In 2016 Quapaw Nation and the Business Committee wanted to improve the quality of coffee offered in the casinos and restaurants. This led to a complete overhaul of the program, establishing an in-house roastery within a dedicated 2,500-square-foot warehouse about a mile from Downstream Casino in Quapaw, Oklahoma. Spoiler alert: It's totally delicious!
Paint and Chardonnay in Broken Bow, OK - paintandchardonnay.com
Gift an experience this holiday season! Everyone can embrace their inner artist at Paint and Chardonnay, as they offer fun, unique ways to spend time with friends and family and feel inspired. Paint and Chardonnay offers paint and sip events with the options to paint on a variety of surfaces including canvas, glass, wood pallets, wood trays and more! Whether you’re a beginner or expert painter, Paint and Chardonnay has a variety of paintings to paint. From animals, scenic views, florals and the option to submit requests to paint.
Plenty Mercantile - plentymercantile.com
We champion sustainability and hospitality by mindfully sourcing refined goods and fostering memorable gatherings. We use responsible design to deepen our connection to the environment and to each other. Handmade, eco-friendly gifts. Their mission: Less is more
Prados Beauty - pradosbeauty.com
Indigenous owned and created beauty product line that gives back to communities.
Red Dirt Beadwork - etsy.com/market/red_dirt_beadwork
Beadwork by Krystian Sisson-Mvskoke. Handmade in Oklahoma. Full-time mama, artist, & MSW.
Red Stick Gallery - redstick-gallery.myshopify.com
Redstick Gallery is owned by Muscogee Nation, a federally recognized tribe based out of Okmulgee, Oklahoma and is operation by the Cultural Center & Archives Department.
Skydance Brewing - skydancebrewing.com
1 NE 7th Street, Oklahoma City, OK
Skydance Brewing Company is OKC’s Native American owned craft brewery. Our Indigenous culture has taught us the importance of community. Featuring brews with titles such as Fancy Dance, The Lighthorse and Sovereign Nation.
Southwest Trading Company - facebook.com/SouthwestNativeGoods/
1306 E. 11th Street in Tulsa, OK
We have a wide variety of Native made/handmade goods available: jewelry, pottery, fine art & home wares. As well as a large selection of blankets and apparel. Licensed Pendleton Retailer
Supernaw's Oklahoma Indian Supply - supernaws.com
Supernaw's Oklahoma Indian Supply, owned and operated by Mr. Kugee Supernaw (Osage, Quapaw, and Munsee Delaware), was founded in 1969. Specializing in seed beads, cut beads, beading supplies, leather, silver jewelry, Native American supplies and much more.
Sweetgrass.reign - instagram.com/sweetgrass.reign
Kate Sultuska: Artist designed jewelry, apparel and gifts.
Water Bird Gallery - waterbirdgallery.com
Native owned art gallery in downtown Pawhuska.
White Antelope - oknativeart.com/white-antelope
Jewelry and Indigenous art from all over the country. We started with the simple idea of bringing the best from us to you. From our founder to our front-line workers, we put lots of love and careful thought into all we do. We hope you enjoy all we have to offer, and share the experience with others.
Do you have a recommendation of an Indigenous-owned shop? Add it below!
