What we now call Portland and Multnomah County are the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tumwater, Tualatin Kalapuya, Wasco, Molalla, Cowlitz and Watlala bands of the Chinook, and many other Tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River. Today the Oregon Native American Chamber is dedicated to working to advance the educational and economic opportunities for Native Americans in Oregon and Southwest Washington. November is National Native American Heritage Month. You can celebrate by learning about the history, heritage and cultures of Oregon’s Indigenous peoples and supporting Native-owned businesses. Here are just a few:

  • Alberta: Discover the healing power of herbs at Clary Sage Herbarium, which has provided Portlanders with a large selection of organic and ethically wild-harvested herbs and tinctures since 2011. Score some fresh denim at Ginew, a Native-owned denim clothing line that incorporates elements of their Ojibwe, Oneida and Mohican heritage into their designs.
  • Cully: Get your java fix at Bison Coffeehouse, Portland’s only Native-owned coffeehouse that serves a carefully curated roster of Native and local roasters, locally sourced beverages, and a selection of house-made baked goods.
  • Columbia Corridor: Exercise your green thumb at Wombyn’s Wellness Garden, which provides site-based hands-on supportive space and experience for beginners in gardening and farming, focused on natural grow practices, permaculture gardening.
  • Division/Clinton: Check out Coral Story Beauty, an organic makeup and Green beauty store with a large selection of natural, clean brands. Find your inner hippie with Kyle Porter Creations, who produces high quality tie dye apparel for the Pacific Northwest lifestyle.
  • Hawthorne: Get some fresh ink at Tattoo 34, a tattoo studio that specializes in both flash art and high quality, custom drawn pieces.
  • Lloyd: Find the latest styles at Cultural Blends, a clothing store specializing in local brands, rare vintage clothing and sneakers.
  • Multnomah Village: Warm up with some hot tea from Aesthete Tea, an organic loose leaf tea and herbal blend brand and teahouse. Get a new do at Revive Organic Salon, an organic, ammonia free, eco-friendly hair salon specializing in hair, skin and nails.
  • Overlook: Stay well with Seven Circles Natural Medicine, who integrates Naturopathic medicine, Chinese medicine and Primary Care medicine and has an on-site pharmacy with tinctures, salves, topicals and supplements.
  • Portland International: Check out No End Of (NEO), a clothing brand that combines Neo-Contemporary and traditional Indigenous designs to create androgynous pieces for all.
  • Online: Rose Alchemista is a skincare apothecary that offers perfumes, bath soaks, body polish, balms and more. Find the perfect gifts at Indigenous Come Up, which sells Indigenous-made and designed arts, crafts and jewelry. Creations for Continuity offers handmade jewelry that combines traditional indigenous elements with a contemporary twists.

This is a non-exhaustive list so there is plenty of other Indigenous-owned local businesses to support. Check out the Oregon Native American Chamber of Commerce’s Business Directory for more listings.