Shop First Nations

Shop First Nations is a Canadian Indigenous-owned business and online local British Columbia shop based in New Westminster. They offer a variety of products from Indigenous brands.

Scroll down to learn more about Shop First Nations and inspired them to open their online shop and what their bestselling products are.

Shop First Nations Indigenous Products

What inspired you to start your business?

Shop First Nations was inspired by a desire to make it easier for people to discover and support Indigenous-owned brands across Turtle Island. I saw firsthand how many talented Indigenous entrepreneurs were creating incredible products—coffee, art, jewelry, and more—but didn’t always have the digital tools or visibility to reach a wider audience.

Our goal is to bridge that gap by offering an online platform where people can shop Indigenous gifts with purpose, knowing that every purchase supports economic reconciliation and community prosperity. Whether through our online Indigenous gift shop or our corporate gifting program, we’re helping connect conscious consumers and organizations directly with Indigenous makers and storytellers.

You can learn more about what inspired me and how Shop First Nations began in this short video.

How would you describe your brand?

Shop First Nations is an Indigenous-owned online gift store that celebrates the creativity and entrepreneurship of Indigenous makers across Turtle Island. Through our curated Indigenous gift boxes, we make it easy for people to give meaningful, high-quality gifts that share stories, culture, and connection.

Every item we include is thoughtfully sourced from Indigenous artisans that care about authenticity, quality, and community impact — from fair-trade coffee and wild-caught salmon to handcrafted jewelry, candles, and art cards. We love pairing these products together to create gifts that feel personal, purposeful, and rooted in story.

What makes Shop First Nations unique is that every purchase supports Indigenous entrepreneurs directly and helps strengthen Indigenous economies. Our small team works closely with artists and makers to ensure each product is represented with respect and heart.

You can shop our ready-to-ship gift boxes or create your own at gifts.shopfirstnations.com — perfect for birthdays, holidays, or anyone who loves thoughtful gifts with a deeper meaning.

What’s your bestselling product?

Our bestselling products are our Indigenous-made foods — because food is such a beautiful pathway to culture (and it tastes amazing!). People love discovering Indigenous food brands that combine traditional knowledge with modern flavours, creating a true connection between culture, sustainability, and everyday life.

A few of our customer favourites include Spirit Bear Coffee and Boreal Heartland Herbal Teas.

Both are staples in our Indigenous gift boxes and make wonderful stand-alone gifts too.

Why do you think it’s so popular?

People are drawn to these products because they offer more than great taste — they tell a story.

Spirit Bear Coffee is fair-trade, organic coffee roasted in BC. Each blend is named after an Indigenous animal symbol, such as Raven, Frog, or Eagle, reflecting values like wisdom and transformation. The company prioritizes environmental sustainability and community partnerships, making every cup meaningful.

Boreal Heartland herbal teas are hand-harvested in northern Saskatchewan. The teas use natural ingredients gathered sustainably from the boreal forest — like Labrador tea, wild mint, and fireweed — capturing the pure flavours of the land. They’re caffeine-free, aromatic, and deeply connected to the region’s ecosystem.

Both brands represent the spirit of Indigenous entrepreneurship — thoughtful, ethical, and rooted in tradition. We think they’re popular because they offer something rare: gifts that nourish the body, connect people to the land, and support Indigenous communities at the same time.

You can find them in our Indigenous Food collection or as part of our curated Indigenous gift boxes — perfect for sharing a taste of culture with someone you care about.

What’s your favourite product from your shop right now?

Right now, my personal favourite is the Raven and Sun Bentwood Box. It’s such a stunning piece of Indigenous artistry and craftsmanship.

The box is made from natural cedar — the smell alone is incredible — and it’s beautifully engraved with a Raven and Sun design by Indigenous artist Aaron Nelson Moody (Squamish). The bentwood technique itself is traditional, where a single piece of wood is steamed and bent to form the box, creating both strength and elegance without any nails or joints.

I love how it blends traditional Indigenous woodworking techniques with modern functionality. It’s perfect for holding keepsakes, jewelry, or even smudge materials — but it’s also a work of art on its own. The rich cedar aroma and the precision of the carving make it a truly special piece that connects you to culture, land, and story every time you open it.

What’s your favourite local shop?

Spirit Bear Coffee Company