The Denver Family That’s Honoring Its Heritage—While Growing Its Businesses

Akalei Brown believes Native American culture is experiencing a renaissance. As evidence, the Denver designer points to this year’s Met Gala, where Indigenous supermodel Quannah Chasinghorse wore custom jewelry made by a Blackfeet and Cree artist. Then again, Brown doesn’t have to look further than her own family to see how interest in Native fashion and beauty is growing: In 2021, her now 10-year-old daughter, Haleakala Brown, and husband, Nick Ohitika Najin, a member of the Mni Coujou Lakota tribe, launched Lakota Body Care, which sells natural soaps inspired by Native fragrances. The family’s first batch sold out in less than an hour and their second in 30 minutes. A Native Hawaiian and Taos Puebloan, Akalei has been sewing custom Native pieces, such as kokum skirts, and selling them through Etsy for years under her Corn Maiden Designs label. This month, she’s launching a new website, which will eventually offer ready-to-wear clothing featuring Southwestern aesthetics. “Walmart and other big chains sell ‘Native-inspired’ designs on clothing,” Brown says. “Our brand is going to be authentic—made by Native people for everyone.”