Indigenous department store pop-up returning to the Eaton Centre for the holiday season

An Indigenous department store pop-up that’s gained massive popularity over the years is now returning to the Eaton Centre once again for another great holiday season.

“We launched Canada’s first Indigenous-owned Department Store Concept in a 6,500 sq. ft. space at Toronto Eaton Centre,” reads the official website for Aaniin.

“Featuring 50 Indigenous brands and businesses, we proved that Indigenous entrepreneurship is bold, innovative, and thriving. In 2025, we’re working to make this vision a permanent reality across Canada.”

Aaniin is an Indigenous-focused department store pop-up spearheaded by Chelsee Pettit. The Aaniin brand started out as a streetwear project featuring Indigenous syllabics as part of the design, but now Pettit’s ideas have grown into Canada’s first all-Indigenous department store experience platforming dozens of Indigenous small businesses.

“Aaniin expanded to larger spaces, including a successful holiday pop-up at Square One Mall in Mississauga. This growth culminated in hosting Canada’s first 100% Indigenous-owned Department Store at Toronto Eaton Centre in a 6,500 sq. ft. space. The event brought together over 45 Indigenous-owned businesses, giving them a platform to shine in the busiest retail environment in the country,” reads the official website for Aaniin.

“Over the years, aaniin has created meaningful opportunities for dozens of Indigenous staff members and has funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Indigenous economy. Through wholesale, consignment, contractors, and partnerships, along with collaborations with Indigenous brands from across Turtle Island, aaniin has become a powerful vehicle of economic activity within Indigenous communities – The one stop shop for authentic Indigenous businesses that are Indigenous owned.”

Vendors present at the pop-up this year include Assinewe Jewelry, Cheekbone Beauty, Kokom Scrunchies, Moccasin Joe Artisan Coffee Roasters, Odemini Giizis Cafe and Outlier Leather.

New to the pop-up this year will be the Bimaadiziwin Marketplace, which will be an online market with a dedicated section at the pop-up, enabling Indigenous entrepreneurs to scale their businesses.

Last year, the all-Indigenous department store pop-up exceeded their one month sales goals within less than two weeks, so it’s sure to be a splash again this year.

“It became clear to me at a young age that the strongest and most direct path to reconciliation is reclamation, and this starts and ends with the Indigenous economy,” Pettit said in a press release. “By instilling our businesses with our values and culture, we can lead with impact and integrity, sustainably growing to create freedom for future generations.”

The Aaniin pop-up at the Eaton Centre is open now until New Year’s.