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: 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.

  • Midway: A Bead Source carries sterling silver jewelry; both Native American-style and contemporary. They also feature tumbled stone, crystal specimens, crystal spheres and points, Tarot/Oracle decks, crystal books, greeting cards, and more.

  • 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.

  • Williams District: For all of your naturopath health and holistic skin care needs be sure to check in with Peach Skin Portland Healthcare.
  • 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 Native-owned local businesses to support. Check out the Mercatus Buy Native Guide for more listings.