Crafting Wellness and Preserving Culture
Lynn-Marie Angus, founder of Sisters Sage, exemplifies how First Nations entrepreneurship can blend cultural knowledge and protocols with modern business practices to create a thriving enterprise centred in culture and community.
Roots and Aspirations
Hailing from the Gitxaala, Nisga’a, and Métis Nations, Lynn-Marie Angus founded Sisters Sage in 2018. The venture emerged from personal challenges and a desire for transformation, evolving into a wellness brand with a mission to promote the First Nations community through culture, inspire fellow Indigenous entrepreneurs, and build economic reconciliation.
Angus’s transition from a high-rise construction career, where she encountered racism and harassment, to successful entrepreneurship showcases her adaptability and vision. Her culinary arts background and education from UBC’s Aboriginal Management Program and BCIT’s Project Management Program provided a solid foundation for her business endeavours.
Innovative Products with Purpose
Sisters Sage offers a diverse range of handcrafted wellness products, including soaps, bath bombs, salves, and their signature Smokeless Smudge Spray. These items incorporate First Nations ingredients such as sage, cedar, sweetgrass, and tobacco leaf, seamlessly merging the wisdom of her Nations with contemporary self-care practices.
Sustainability is integral to Sisters Sage’s operations. The company prioritizes eco-friendly materials and minimal ingredients that are environmentally safe. All products are vegan, vegetarian, and cruelty-free, reflecting a profound respect for Mother Earth.
Lynn’s product development approach transcends commerce; each creation is crafted with intention, adhering to the protocols of her First Nations culture. This commitment to authenticity and cultural significance distinguishes Sisters Sage within the wellness industry.
Empowering Community and Sustaining Heritage
Beyond its product offerings, Sisters Sage is a cultural, evolutionary, educational and preservation platform. Through social media and their website, Angus shares the meanings and cultural significance of their products, often documenting harvesting practices.
The company’s mission is to inspire and motivate other Indigenous women and youth to pursue entrepreneurship, viewing this as a pathway to economic reconciliation and revitalization, and to support the entrepreneurial spirit inherent in Indigenous cultures.
Angus’s commitment to the community is evident through her activism and mentorship. She has established a dedicated space in her storefront for cultural celebration and community engagement, supporting fellow Indigenous entrepreneurs by showcasing their products. Her mentorship of youth, guiding them toward leadership roles and entrepreneurship, underscores her commitment to uplifting her community.
Accolades and Forward-Thinking Vision
Sisters Sage’s impact has garnered significant recognition. The company was honoured as Indigenous Business of the Year in both 2021 and 2022, reflecting its growth and influence. Additionally, Angus received the Best Community Impact Award at the 2021 Small Business BC Awards.
Looking ahead, Angus aims to expand Sisters Sage while upholding its core values and mission steadfastly. She envisions the company as a catalyst for change, inspiring more First Nations and contributing to broader discussions on reconciliation, decolonization and First Nations rights and title.
Angus’s journey with Sisters Sage illustrates how First Nations entrepreneurship can serve as a powerful vehicle for cultural evolution, preservation, community empowerment, and economic development. Her story stands as an inspiration for aspiring First Nations entrepreneurs and a model for businesses striving to make a positive impact beyond financial success.
The term Indigenous is a broad umbrella that can erase the diversity of over 650 unique Nations across Canada. Using First Nations instead respects these distinctions and aligns with BC’s DRIPA and UNDRIP, which emphasize a distinctions-based approach recognizing First Nations, Métis, and Inuit identities separately.
BUILDING & OPERATIONS
- Windows are double-pane or draft-proofed, and entrances and exits have been draft-sealed
- Motion sensors installed in less busy areas and/or “Lights Off” signage posted at light switches
- All non-emergency lights are turned off at night and window lights are put on a timer and shut off from 11 pm to 7 am
- ≥ 90% of bulb lighting is LED, and 100% of tube lighting is T5/T8 fluorescent or LED
- ≥ 75% of office equipment and kitchen appliances are ENERGY STAR® Certified
- All sink stations have hand towels or efficient hand dryers in place of conventional dryers or paper towels
- All hot water pipes are insulated
WASTE
- Sales/promotions are displayed digitally or on chalkboards or another reusable surface.
- Reusable dishware is provided for staff use in place of disposable cups, plates, cutlery, etc.
- All food waste and soiled paper are composted.
- Efforts are made to reduce soft plastics and all soft plastics (shrink wrap, plastic bags, etc.) are recycled
- All StyrofoamTM packing is reused or recycled
- ≥ 1 other hard-to-recycle item is being recycled (pallets, foil-lined bags, pens, etc.)
WATER
- Tap water is consumed rather than bottled water
- All faucets employ ≤ 6.0 LpM aerators
- All toilets and any urinals are ≤ 6.0 LpF
TRANSPORTATION
- Designated bicycle parking is provided for staff and customers
- ≥50% of staff commute to work by bike, transit, carpooling, EV or walking
PURCHASING & PRODUCT
- All major paper products have ≥ 50% post-consumer recycled content OR made from 100% recycled content
- ≥ 75% of cleaning supplies are eco-friendly (including cleaning products used by commercial cleaners)
- Sustainable Retail Purchasing Policy in place for selecting retail products
- The store does not stock single-use plastic bags for staff or customer use
- The store uses reused/recycled material to wrap fragile items sold to customers
- No plastic single-use food and beverage products purchased for staff and customer use (e.g. coffee cartridges, sampling containers)
- Stock ≥ 5 products that are Carbon Neutral, EcoLogoTM Certified, FSC, Certified Organic, Fairtrade, B Corp, or another reputable certification standard
- ≥ 20% of all goods sold are from local BC sources
- Products sold and their associated packaging can be returned by customers for recycling/upcycling at no additional cost.
- Offers a continued care program for some items sold in store, including repair, refurbishment, and/or resale
SOCIAL
- ≥ 50% employees volunteer in a community event or charitable activity on company time (≥ 1 day per year)
- Annual donations made to local environmental or community-related charities and non-profits, at an amount of ≥
- $50 per full-time employee
- Environmental sustainability is incorporated into the hiring process, employee orientations, and training programs.
- Environmental values and actions are posted publicly online and on the premises.
- The company has taken meaningful action in alignment with Action #92 of the Truth & Reconciliation
- Commission Report OR is Indigenous-owned
- Staff actively educate clients on relevant environmental and sustainability initiatives.
RETAIL CHECKLIST
Additional Action – All film is biodegradable and compostable
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information intended only for informational purposes. Indigenous-SME Business Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any products or services mentioned. Readers are advised to conduct their research and due diligence before making business decisions.
