13 Must-Visit Indigenous Businesses in Toronto

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Whether you’re a Toronto local or visiting the city for the first time, Indigenous-owned businesses and Indigenous-led experiences are a great way to learn more about the people, cultures, and histories that have shaped this place for thousands of years.

Toronto is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations, including the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

 The city’s name is believed to originate from the Mohawk word tkaronto, meaning “where there are trees standing in the water,” a reference to ancient fishing weirs used by Indigenous peoples north of present-day Toronto.

From Indigenous-owned restaurants and artisan shops to cultural organizations, galleries, and annual events, there are many ways to engage with Indigenous culture while visiting the city. 

Here are some of the best Indigenous-owned businesses and Indigenous-led experiences in Toronto.

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A view of Toronto's skyline from the Toronto Islands, at night
Toronto’s skyline at sunset

1. imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival

If you’re visiting Toronto in June, try to time your trip with the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival. 

As the world’s largest Indigenous film and media arts festival, imagineNATIVE showcases films, documentaries, podcasts, digital media, and artistic works created by Indigenous storytellers from around the globe. 

It’s an incredible opportunity to experience contemporary Indigenous culture and hear stories told by Indigenous creators themselves.

Craft Ontario Shop & Gallery showcases the work of hundreds of Canadian artists and makers, including Indigenous artists from across the country. 

Located in downtown Toronto, the gallery features pottery, beadwork, jewellery, textiles, prints, paintings, and other handcrafted items. If you’re looking for a meaningful souvenir or gift, it’s a great place to discover work by Indigenous creators.

3. Cedar Basket Gift Shop

The Cedar Basket Gift Shop is one of Toronto’s longest-running Indigenous-owned retailers. 

The shop carries an impressive selection of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artwork, jewellery, beadwork, carvings, moccasins, baskets, books, and gifts. It’s an excellent place to learn about Indigenous arts while supporting Indigenous artisans.

4. Outlier Leather Co.

Outlier Leather Co. is owned and operated by David Spence, a Nisichawayasihk Cree artisan known for his handcrafted leather goods. His collection includes wallets, belts, bags, keychains, and accessories, many of which incorporate beadwork and Indigenous design elements. The products are made using ethically sourced materials and are built to last.

5. Tea N Bannock

Tea N Bannock is Toronto’s best-known Indigenous-owned restaurant. Located in the city’s east end, the restaurant serves dishes inspired by Indigenous ingredients and culinary traditions, including bison, bannock, wild rice, and Labrador tea. The menu offers a great introduction to Indigenous cuisine and makes for a delicious stop during a visit to Toronto.

6. Pow Wow Cafe

While Pow Wow Cafe no longer operates a permanent restaurant, the business remains active through catering, special events, pop-ups, and community programming. 

Founded by chef Shawn Adler, Pow Wow Cafe helped introduce many Torontonians to contemporary Indigenous cuisine. Keep an eye on their social media channels for upcoming events and opportunities to try their Indigenous-inspired dishes.

7. Oceah Oceah

For a uniquely Toronto experience, book a paddle with Oceah Oceah. This Indigenous-owned paddleboarding company was founded by First Nations sisters Jenifer and Sharon Rudski and offers stand-up paddleboard lessons, guided paddles, SUP yoga, and community events. It’s a fantastic way to experience Toronto’s waterfront while learning from Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Two kayaks paddling by boats docked in at the marina on Centre Island in Toronto.
Paddling in the Toronto Islands

8. PACHA Indigenous Art Collection

PACHA Indigenous Art Collection is a family-run gallery and shop that showcases Indigenous artwork, crafts, and gifts from artists across Turtle Island. 

The business works directly with Indigenous creators and offers everything from beadwork and jewellery to paintings and home décor. It’s one of the best places in Toronto to browse Indigenous art and support Indigenous makers.

9. Sticks N Bones

Sticks N Bones creates handmade dreamcatchers inspired by Anishinaabe and Algonquin traditions. In addition to selling their creations online, they also offer workshops that provide opportunities to learn about the cultural significance of dreamcatchers and Indigenous artistic traditions.

10. Native Canadian Centre of Toronto

The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto is one of the city’s most important Indigenous community organizations. It offers cultural programming, language classes, beading workshops, drumming circles, and educational opportunities throughout the year. 

Visitors can also participate in Indigenous-led walking tours that explore Tkaronto from an Indigenous perspective and highlight the area’s rich Indigenous history.

11. Na-Me-Res Traditional Pow Wow

If you’re visiting Toronto in the summer, check whether your trip overlaps with the Na-Me-Res Traditional Pow Wow. Held annually in Toronto, this event brings together Indigenous dancers, drummers, artists, vendors, and community members from across Ontario and beyond.

You can watch traditional dance competitions, listen to drum groups, browse Indigenous artisan booths, and enjoy Indigenous food. 

It’s one of the best opportunities in Toronto to experience Indigenous culture in a community setting and learn more about the traditions that continue to thrive today.

12. Explore the Indigenous Art Collection at the AGO

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is home to one of Canada’s most significant collections of Indigenous art. As you explore the gallery, you’ll encounter works by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists spanning historical and contemporary periods.

The AGO has made a major effort in recent years to expand and elevate Indigenous voices within its collection, making it an excellent place to learn about Indigenous artistic traditions, contemporary Indigenous perspectives, and the role art plays in storytelling, identity, and cultural continuity. 

If you’re already planning to visit the AGO, be sure to spend time in these galleries.

13. Birch Bark Coffee Company

Birch Bark Coffee Company is an Indigenous-owned coffee company founded by Métis entrepreneur Brent Loucks. 

In addition to sourcing high-quality, ethically produced coffee, the company supports Indigenous youth and community initiatives through its social impact programs.

While Birch Bark Coffee doesn’t operate its own café in Toronto, you’ll find its coffee served and stocked at various cafés, markets, and specialty food retailers throughout the city. 

One place you can pick it up is at Sanagan’s Meat Locker in Kensington Market. Their coffee is also available online. 

If you’re looking for a way to support an Indigenous-owned business during your visit to Toronto, picking up a bag of Birch Bark Coffee is an easy and delicious option.

Toronto’s Indigenous History

Toronto’s Indigenous history can be traced back 11,000 years. By 500 CE, the population of southern Ontario, including the Toronto region, was home to around 10,000 Algonquian speaking peoples. 

The Toronto region has been home to various groups. Around 1400, Iroquoian peoples lived in fortified villages that typically included longhouses, stockades, and fields of crops. Later, Algonquian-speaking Anishinaabe established settlements in the Toronto area.

Some members of the Anishinaabe became known as the Mississauga, and dominated the area until the end of the 1700s.

Between 1634 and 1640, European settlers brought deadly disease to southern Ontario. During that period, half of the Indigenous population of southern Ontario and the Great Lakes region perished from the diseases that were brought to them from across the Atlantic Ocean.

In the 1800s, the colonial government of European settlers made treaties with Indigenous peoples for the surrender of their territories, and that included the Toronto region. 

The “Toronto Purchase” was first discussed in 1787, and was initially disputed. The Toronto Purchase (known as Treat No. 13) eventually went through, in 1805. 

The 11,000+ history of this region of Canada is the history of Indigenous peoples. For context, this land has only been known as Canada for just over 150 years. I’ve only touched on the milestone moments of this history. 

To learn more about Indigenous history and reconciliation, try these resources:

Did I Miss Your Favourite Toronto Indigenous Business?

I do my best to regularly update this list, but if I missed an Indigenous business that should be on this list, feel free to send me a quick email, and I’ll add it. 

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