Under Secretary Don Cravins from the Minority Business Deveopment Administration and his team visited Heart Berry as part of their tour learning about Native businesses, tribes, and our unique communities. Showing up spectacular in their DC vibes in downtown Cloquet, Cravins and his team came to learn about some of our victories and struggles as a small Native business. "What struck me about their team was how down to earth they were, he asked some really great questions and I definitely felt heard by them. It is so powerful to see Brown folks in such powerful positions. I am honored they came to see us, feels such a far ways from my kitchen table. We talked about everything from racial...
"At Heart Berry we grew from the kitchen table to the trailer to our current HQ! This year we will be hosting our holiday market and classes in house. For me the pride and joy is translating our traditional art onto contemporary formats. Whether its wool blankets or art installations, I love this place where the world converges"
Eighth Generation
Nedahness Greene
MN United
MN Dark Clouds
Heart Berry
Canvas Rebel
Working from the Heart, Binding together Ojibwe Art with Community Organizing, a new pathway for Entrepeneurship Reporting to you live from Native land today. As a small Native owned business, Heart Berry is also one of the fastest growing in the Midwest. But as a Native artist and CEO, I want to grow down and out, not only up. Alongside our collaborative partner Eighth Generation we have been able to build our reach and grow from pencil drawing and custom regalia to teaching, creating art installations, and donating thousands of dollars a year to local organizations. As Native people we often get told we are in two worlds. As an Anishinaabekwe I reject this idea. It pulls me in two...
Dreams to Fruition
It is a bittersweet moment as CEO and Founder of Eighth Generation, Louie Gong retires. What began as a vision drawing on VANS in his living room has become the most successful Native brand in the country. As Inspired Natives collaborators, Heart Berry has been so blessed to be along on this journey. We are so grateful to the vision and mentorship Gong has provided so many. Take a tour and meet the New CEO!
Most "Native" Art is Fake or Stolen. Indigenous Artists Are Fighting Back "A new generation of Indigenous Artists is decolonizing the status quo" New NBCLX Feature of Eighth Generation and Heart Berry's work to Fight Back “The pattern of these companies that exploit Indigenous communities is to partner with people who don’t have a voice,” Gong said. “Native artists are trying to reclaim the story and create something for future generations.” "Heart Berry, which sells blankets, earrings, T-shirts and more has doubled year over year, making it one of the fastest-growing lifestyle brands in Minnesota. She says running her business is familiar territory as a Native American." Interested in supporting Native American art? O'Loughlin advised skipping auction houses altogether and...
