Sḵwálwen Botanicals
SḵwálwenArtisanSkincare, Botanicals
Sḵwálwen Botanicals suits anyone who wants skincare made in Squamish from plants of the Squamish Nation's lands, and its own store beside the estuary opens six days a week. You can also find it in Vancouver at the Bill Reid Gallery and MOA.
Photo Sḵwálwen Botanicals · From their own site and others, credited in the gallery
Plan your visit to the studio
The flagship store and headquarters stand beside the Squamish Estuary.
Dr. Leigh Joseph founded Sḵwálwen, and her ancestral name is Styawat. She describes herself as an ethnobotanist and researcher, and the company calls her its Indigenous founder. Sḵwálwen translates to "heart" or "essence of being" in the Skwxwú7mesh language, the company says, and every product carries a Squamish name. The team hand-harvests some botanicals in Squamish and sources the rest from local suppliers.
The flagship store and headquarters sit at 37756 3rd Avenue in Squamish, beside the estuary. In Vancouver the Bill Reid Gallery and the Museum of Anthropology at UBC both stock the line, and in North Vancouver the Polygon Gallery Shop carries it. The company ships directly from Squamish.
Worth knowing
- Walk out to the Squamish Estuary trails after a visit to the store, which the company says sits steps away.
- Ask the company about tax exemption if you carry a status card, since it handles those orders directly.
Quick answers about Sḵwálwen Botanicals
Where is the Sḵwálwen Botanicals store?
Sḵwálwen Botanicals runs its store and headquarters at 37756 3rd Avenue in Squamish, open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and on Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm.
What does Sḵwálwen Botanicals make?
The company calls it an Indigenous skincare line that honours Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge and ancestral traditions. It makes face and body care, lip balm, tea and candles in small batches.
Can you visit Sḵwálwen Botanicals?
Walk in during opening hours. Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm.
Where can you buy work by Sḵwálwen Botanicals?
Sḵwálwen Botanicals sells online through its own shop.