5 Indigenous-Owned Regina Businesses
Jul 17, 2021/inBlogs
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada. Treaty 4 Territory is home to a diverse variety of bold, audacious, indigenous-owned business. Here are just a few to celebrate NIPD 2021!
Daybird Beauty was founded during the pandemic by Nicole Akan, a proud Nêhiyaw Iskwêw for the Muskowekwan First Nation. Nicole has been a makeup artist for more than 15 years and always dreamed of opening her own lash and beauty business, which she ultimately chose to name in honour of her family name, Daybird. Merging a passion for beauty and heritage, Daybird Beauty’s Cree and Nakoda collections feature products named in their respective languages which honour and help revitalize the Cree and Nakoda cultures.
Eric Anaquod is a Regina-based filmmaker who has developed an obsession with producing breathtaking ideos. In 2018, Eric took his passion to the next level, founding Anaquod Videography. Anaquod specializes in wedding videography, helping couples and their families capture and keep the memories of their special day forever with cinematically stunning videos that rival major motion pictures. Eric also travels across Saskatchewan capturing events and professional commercials for a variety of clients, and is one of the only videographers in Saskatchewan to use an anamorphic lens.
Sunrise Roofing was founded in 2007 by husband-and-wife duo Ryan and Sharese Cyr, who were inspired to take the leap into entrepreneurship after the birth of their second child. The company brings Ryan’s 22 years of experience in the roofing industry to residential and commercial projects like roof repair, re-shingling, roof inspections, and more. Sunrise makes a point of supporting local companies when marketing their business and are committed to helping grow Regina’s entrepreneurial community.
Shana Cardinal founded Cardinal Sage Holistic Wellness Centre in 2020, armed with ten years as a Registered Social Worker working directly with children, youth and families. A proud Métis woman, Shana’s counselling and therapeutic practice and philosophy are based upon her worldview as an Indigenous woman, and she enjoys bridging the gap between holistic and western therapy. Cardinal Sage specializes in culturally sensitive, trauma and resilience-focused therapy aimed at addressing stress management, anxiety and depression, childhood and adult trauma, and more.
An intersection of passions for skateboarding, art, and educating others about our shared colonial past spurred Michael Langan to found Colonialism Skateboards in 2015. By combining skateboard art with history lessons, the company’s board designs shine a spotlight on elements of Indigenous Canadian history and culture that are too often overlooked, creating important conversations about how we can move forward together through reconciliation. Each one of Colonialism Skateboards’ intricate and compelling designs tells a powerful story, and Michael’s boards have drawn international attention and recognition.
For a more complete list of Indigenous-owned businesses in Regina and across Saskatchewan, check out the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s Indigenous Business Directory.
We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is Treaty 4 territory and the traditional territory of the Anihšinābēk, Nêhiyawak, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota peoples, and the original home of the Métis/Michif Nation. We recognize that both Indigenous and Métis people are the spiritual and cultural keepers of their traditional lands and still to this day, continue to practice their values, languages, beliefs and knowledge.