In a warehouse near the Edmonton International Airport, Mallory Yawnghwe, Bachelor of Commerce ’18, is drawing inspiration from historical trading between nations in amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Edmonton, and modern international shipping logistics to expand her company, Indigenous Box.

“I see my belonging in connecting two worlds – the traditional world that I come from, and the modern world that we have to exist in – and really bringing those worlds closer together so that our next generations can thrive in these spaces,” says the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. “I think a lot of that comes through in Indigenous Box – the stories that we tell here and why it's important to do what we do.”

Originally from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Yawnghwe wants to showcase the beauty, richness and abundance of communities like hers to a wider audience. Now, as Indigenous Box enters its fourth year, she’s focused on growing people just as much as the business itself. She works closely with her suppliers, ensuring they meet their goals, set new ones and get what they need from the partnership.

“Indigenous Box can only grow if our suppliers grow,” says Yawnghwe. “It’s really important for us to make sure that we maintain that reciprocity and relationship-centred approach.”

Taking inspiration from the Cree language, where teaching and learning are intertwined, Yawnghwe is a firm believer in lifelong learning alongside others. 

“kiskinwahamakosiwin ᑭᐢᑭᓇᐧᐦᐊᒪᑯᓯᐃᐧᐣ (pronounced kiss-kin-wah-amah-kos-si-win) is to teach and learn together,” she explains. “Indigenous Box isn’t just about products, we’re about learning from each other and creating this space together.”

The space Yawnghwe refers to is one she sees as inclusive to all nations and communities that fall under the Indigenous umbrella. Indigenous Box collaborates with Indigenous small businesses to create sought-after gift boxes, including customizable corporate gifts, build-your-own-box options and a seasonal subscription service. According to Yawnghwe, they are “realizing Indigenous economic equality, one box, one product and one person at a time.”

The highly successful gift box company currently sources items from Indigenous creators and artists throughout Turtle Island (North America), and as the business continues to grow and gain attention, she hopes to broaden the offerings to include items from Indigenous populations in other countries as well.

“Indigenous Peoples, until recently, have been systematically excluded from economic participation, but are now in a position where our communities are starting to rise up,” says Yawnghwe. “Now, we’re using  our voices to not only demonstrate our capability and capacity to build our own communities through commerce, but also to showcase how much we are already participating in – and adding value  to – the greater global community.”

Raising awareness of those communities is something that she was passionate about during her time at MacEwan, too, sharing her knowledge with fellow students to help them learn about Indigenous people and commerce. She was heavily involved with kihêw waciston Indigenous Centre, and recalls watching the Treaty 6 flag being raised permanently in front of the clock tower on campus.

“I was standing there, holding my little newborn and realizing I was in a place where our people would have never been able to step not that long ago. I was seeing a very significant moment of history, realizing that my children will now have the opportunity to go through university without a lot of the barriers and challenges that I faced,” says Yawnghwe. “It was a huge moment for me, realizing my belonging in institutions like MacEwan.”