designing for impact

Our relationship with Nawalakw began during the creation of our Forest hand and body cream. We wanted to create a product that embodied the lands and territories upon which we operate and the Indigenous people who have stewarded these places since time immemorial.  

As a company that is proudly creating products on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations in what is now known as Vancouver, British Columbia, we felt that it was  important to consider place when designing products for positive impact. 

We knew that we wanted to work with Indigenous owned businesses and organizations in the selection of our ingredients as well as design ways in which this product would have a positive impact on people, animals and the planet. Through this work we ultimately seek to uphold Indigenous rights to self-determination and the funding of Indigenous-led solutions. 

Our Forest hand and body cream is the result of partnering with two Indigenous-led social enterprises based in the Nuxalk and Kwakwaka̱’wa̱kw territories in what is commonly known as the Great Bear Rainforest. Sustainable harvested western red cedar and shore pine from Great Bear Rainforest® Essential Oil creates Forests grounding, earthy scent, while promoting employment and cultural well-being, benefiting both the communities and the environment.

Your online purchase of this product will also support the incredible work of Nawalakw, who acknowledge and prioritize the role of the environment as a critical foundation for serving the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and economic needs of their community.  Our unrestricted donation will support Nawalakw in the revival of Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw culture and language and the creation of long-term economic opportunities.  

Our relationship with Great Bear Essential Oils and Nawalakw goes far beyond monetary support.  It represents our deep commitment to build relationships with Indigenous communities, businesses and organizations that are rooted in mutual respect, trust and reciprocity.   

As a business, these partnership also shows our support for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Report and its calls to action outlined for Canada’s corporate sector.  Labeled Item 92, it calls upon us “to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources.” Three specific areas were detailed in Item 92: (i) meaningful consultation, (ii) equitable access, and (iii) education for management and staff.

This Initiative is just a small step on our journey towards reconciliation and healing as we continue to learn and unlearn on our path forward.