aaniin
First Nations-founded and 100% Indigenous-owned: aaniin was founded by Chelsee-Marie Pettit of Aamjiwnaang First Nation.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
Current ownership, founding, and sources
Indigenous-owned fashion brands in Canada, with current evidence.
Current ownership and founding are different facts. The first list requires a source that explicitly supports current Indigenous ownership. The second records Indigenous founding evidence without presenting it as current ownership.
Identity evidence reviewed through
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Explicit current Indigenous ownership
Each brand here has at least one linked source that explicitly supports current Indigenous ownership.
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Anne Mulaire
Métis-founded and Indigenous-owned: Andréanne Mulaire Dandeneau, who has Anishinaabe and French Métis roots, launched the label in 2005.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
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Aurora Heat
Dënesųłiné-founded and Indigenous-owned: Brenda Dragon founded Aurora Heat and leads the Northwest Territories enterprise.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
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Awāsis Boutique
Métis-founded and listed as majority Indigenous-owned: Métis and Filipino founder Christine Marie launched Awāsis Boutique in 2018.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
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Bastien Industries
Huron-Wendat-founded and currently owned by a Huron-Wendat Nation member: Roland Bastien launched the company in Wendake in 1972.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
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Indigenous Nations Apparel Company
First Nations-founded and Indigenous-owned: Peguis First Nation member Michelle Cameron established the company in 2021.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
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Lesley Hampton
Anishinaabe-founded and Indigenous-owned: Temagami First Nation member Lesley Hampton founded the label, which is currently a CCIB Certified Indigenous Business.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
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Qiviut Inc.
Inuvialuk-founded and 100% Inuit-owned: Inuvialuk founder Tanis Simpson and her brother Bradley Carpenter founded Qiviut Inc. in 2019.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
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Resist Clothing Company
Ojibwe-founded and Indigenous-owned: Sagamok First Nation member Mitch Gegwetch founded the label in 2020.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
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Sapling & Flint
Mohawk-founded and Indigenous-owned: Mohawk Turtle Clan twin sisters Dakota and Jesse Brant founded the company; Jesse is identified as a current co-owner.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
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Totem Design House
Haida- and Cree-founded and 100% Indigenous woman-owned: Erin Brillon founded Totem Design House.
Indigenous founding is also supported by the reviewed record.
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Vanessa Aegirsdóttir
Indigenous majority-owned: George Bahm, who is Tlingit (First Nations), is the company’s majority shareholder.
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Indigenous-founded, without current ownership evidence
These brands have source-backed Indigenous founding context, but Trendsly does not currently have evidence that supports an Indigenous-ownership claim.
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Dorothy Grant Studio
Haida-founded: Haida designer Dorothy Grant established the eponymous fashion business in 1992.
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Inuuvunga Designs
Inuit-founded: Dawn Forrest started Inuuvunga Designs in 2016.
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Manitobah
Métis-founded: Sean McCormick began Manitobah in Winnipeg. This is a founding claim, not a current Indigenous-ownership claim.
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Saute-Mouton
Wendat-founded: Wendat community member Jacinthe Bergeron created the project in 1997 and launched its first collection in 1998.
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Victoria's Arctic Fashion
Inuit-founded: Inuk designer Victoria Kakuktinniq started the brand in 2014.