Honouring Our Grandmothers Through Self-Care

From the earliest days of our childhood, our grandmothers were there, imparting wisdom, sharing stories, and offering unconditional love. Today, when traditions can sometimes be forgotten, there’s a special self-care line that offers a heartfelt tribute to the wisdom and legacy of our grandmothers. Handcrafted with care and designed with their memories in mind, each soap bar & matching essential oil blend serves as a pathway for storytelling, an offering of gratitude, and a celebration of Indigenous plant knowledge.

Deep in the heart of the Yukon, where the boreal forest holds secrets of generations past, this special line of soap finds its roots. Inspired by teachings passed down through generations, each soap bar is crafted with plants our grandmothers taught us to harvest. Our community harvesters walk in their grandmothers’ footsteps as they are on the land, gathering plants following cultural protocols.

Northern Tutchone people take ethics and sustainability very seriously. Our Elders teach us that we must be respectful and responsible in our interactions with plant life. When we take care of them, they take care of us. "We take care of the land", “Nän sóthän ka nahʼté”. These protocols include; limiting your harvest to ensure pollinators, wildlife, and other people will receive what they need too, and the importance of knowing how much you need, taking only what you need, and using all you take.

The plants chosen for this line of soap are ones that are found throughout the Yukon. These include usnea, yarrow and fireweed (flowers & leaves), horsetail, rosehips, caribou lichen, sʼáxtʼ, wild plantain leaves, and labrador tea. They offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. For example, usnea is a type of lichen that is often referred to as the lungs of the forest. It has been used to treat wounds and other skin irritations. Many of these plants also help to reduce inflammation of the skin as well as help to soothe acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Each soap and their potential benefits can be found here. 

At the heart of these soaps lies a commitment to quality and sustainability. The source of our shea butter is Baraka Shea Butter, a small Canadian/Ghanaian family-owned business. The women who make Baraka Shea Butter in Ghana do everything by hand, using age-old techniques passed down through generations. By creating a market for their handmade shea butter, these women are creating opportunities for economic independence and community development. It’s a powerful example of how tradition and innovation can coexist. By choosing their shea butter for our soaps, it is a symbol of the connection between women across continents. We have the power to support these women and their communities by choosing products that are ethically sourced, fair trade, and sustainably made. By doing so, we become part of a larger story—one of connection, empowerment, and respect for both the land and the hands that care for it.
 

Baraka Shea Butter 

But it’s not just the ingredients that make these soaps special. Each bar carries a name that resonates deeply with us, translating to “grandmother” in all eight Yukon Indigenous languages. From Northern Tutchone to Gwich’in, Kaska to Tlingit, and more, every name is a tribute to the matriarchs who have shaped our lives and our culture.

Northern Tutchone Elder Lucy Peter wearing a "granny hankie"

The carefully designed soap boxes are inspired by their cherished ‘granny hankies’ that evoke memories of warmth and comfort. It’s a visual reminder of the love and care that our grandmothers provided us.
 

Our goal with this self-care line is to revive the sacredness of cleansing and bathing. With every lather, we honour the wisdom of our grandmothers and the legacy they have left behind, reminding us of the importance of connection—to the land, to each other, and to our shared traditions.

Mussi