Looking for Indigenous arts, culture and design? Here’s where you’ll find the best local talent, from Tkaranto (Toronto), Kanata (Canada) and beyond.
Before there was Toronto, there was Tkaranto. Indigenous communities have been honing their creation skills since long before the nation of Canada existed. Skills such as basket weaving, beading and cooking have been passed down from generation to generation and are here now to be shared and experienced.
So, while you’re exploring the city known as Toronto, be sure to seek out local and Indigenous guides, artists and creators. Here’s where you can find unforgettable Indigenous-led experiences and discover can’t-find-anywhere-else souvenirs.
Book unforgettable Indigenous-led tours and experiences
Walking tours with the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
Connect with the history and current stories of Indigenous Peoples and communities that live and thrive in—and before—Toronto.
The NCCT’s free tour ($2–5 donation recommended) will bring you through Tkaronto and down Ishpadinaa (Spadina Road) to highlight the largest collection of Indigenous artwork in the city, share a few key phrases from traditional languages, and learn more about major landmarks and historical events from an Indigenous perspective.
A Humber River paddling tour or Sunset Paddle with Oceah Oceah
Oceah Oceah is a great place to start when looking for experiences that connect you with the land and waters of Tkaronto.
The team at this Indigenous- and woman-owned business is friendly and supportive as they guide stand-up paddleboarding tours down the west end’s Humber River and towards the Toronto Islands, amongst other offerings at their Budapest Park waterfront location at Sunnyside.
There’s no better way to relax and connect than on Lake Ontario!
Indigenous theatre, dance and performing arts
Black Ballerina (May 23–25, 2025) is a powerful and moving examination of race and identity through classical dance. Staged by Native Earth Performing Arts, creator/performer Syreeta Hector’s Dora Mavor Moore Award-nominated production presents nuance and energy on the downtown stage.
Pride Month brings a night of music, dance, drag, comedy and performance art to Buddies in Bad Times Theatre with the Native Earth x Buddies co-production: 2-Spirit Cabaret: 9th Edition (June 12, 2025). Celebrate the multitudes of queer and 2-spirit Indigneous people with all your pals!
Keep an eye open (or better yet, sign up for news alerts) from Red Sky Performance; their new multisensory, multi-discipline production, Miigiis—a spectacle of dance, music, theatre and film—starts touring in Fall 2025.
Shop for handmade Indigenous arts & artisan crafts
Inuit sculpture at the Craft Ontario Shop
Craft Ontario Shop is a lovely store in the west end’s Parkdale neighbourhood. Craft Ontario supports and is supported by the work of Indigenous and non-Indigenous craft artists.
Their retail store sells hand-carved sculptures from First Nation artists, which means that every piece you buy is one of a kind. They also carry work from the renowned Cape Dorset, Nunavut printmaking scene, such as drawings by Inuit artists Padloo Samayualie and Shuvinai Ashoona. Don’t miss out!
“Because Indigenous culture is land-based, our art is inherently about relation and respect for the land. Artists consider the land in making their work: how to make it sustainable, what natural or upcycled materials can be used, where to source those materials. Materials are often sourced from our own homelands, but not always. Beads are made all over the world and the exchange of beads is huge for cultural exchange and community.”–Samay Arcentales Cajas, co-owner, Pacha Indigenous Art Collection
First Nations artisan crafts at The Cedar Basket
After your tour with the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, be sure to stop at the Cedar Basket Gift Shop.
It’s an Indigenous-owned and operated store that works directly with Indigenous vendors to sell artisan crafts such as beaded accessories, jewelry and self-care products. The store also sells a selection of orange shirts and MMIW Red Dress Day items honouring Indigenous Peoples’ past and ongoing experiences.
Handcrafted leather bags from Outlier Leather
Indigenous Peoples have always known how to engage sustainably with the land and waters. Outlier Leather Co. (located in Danforth-Greektown) embodies this knowledge in creating owner/creator David Spence’s handmade leather bags.
Spence is a Nisichawayasihk artisan from Winnipeg who only works with ethically sourced materials, including eco-conscious tanneries. His handcrafted leather bags are designed to last and are beautiful, too.
Discover new-to-you Indigenous fashion & accessories
Streetwear from Resist Clothing
Wearable souvenirs are some of the greatest souvenirs, and Resist Clothing Co. has you covered. Look for pop-ups in Toronto for some original, Indigenous-designed tees, sweatshirts, hats and more.
Their bold designs and powerful statements (from “Decolonize” sweatshirts to “LandBack” caps) will have everyone turning heads and asking you all about your latest shopping spree. Looking for the OG souvenir tee? Reach for their “Tkaranto, Turtle Island” souvenir hoodie.
Clothing, housewares and jewelry at Pacha Indigenous Art Collection
Pacha Indigenous Art Collection is an Indigenous family-owned business that honours the ties between southern Indigenous communities and Indigenous communities in and around Tkaronto.
“Nations have always been connected. We do the work that we do at Pacha Arts to revive and reconnect those old trade relations that have existed for thousands of years.” –Samay Arcentales Cajas, co-owner, Pacha Indigenous Art Collection
Consider the striking blue porcupine quill earrings by Mestizo-Indigenous artist Marcos Arcentales. Drop by to support their work and get a glimpse into the communities they’re celebrating.
Feast on local Indigenous food and drinks
Traditional Indigenous cuisine at Tea N Bannock
Tea N Bannock has been a staple in the Gerrard East neighbourhood since 2012, serving traditional Indigenous cuisine.
That includes classics like tea and bannock, as the name suggests, as well as more robust dishes such as wild rice and bison steak. Try the stew of the day, which includes house-smoked elk or bison, or tuck into a fish dinner with wild-caught Arctic Char or local pickerel. Sweet treats include blueberry bannock dumplings and fry bread ready for dipping into maple syrup.
If you want to connect with these lands through your tastebuds, Tea N Bannock is a must-stop location! (Don’t forget souvenirs like local honey or hand-picked Labrador tea.)
Birch Bark Coffee… and coffee ice cream!
Birch Bark Coffee Co. can be found in eclectic Kensington Market (it’s carried at Sanagan’s Meat Locker). With ethical practices and a drive to change the world through organic coffee growing and Fair Trade labour practices, there’s no better company to buy your coffee from.
And if you like the sweeter versions of coffee, this rad, Indigenous-owned company recently collaborated with ice cream maker Chapman’s on a Cold Brew Coffee ice cream. Whether you like hot or cold coffee, they’re not to be missed!
– Additional research by Akira Ourique
—This story has been updated with new details since it was first published in July 2023.
