Turtle Lodge Trading Post Inc.

What Turtle Lodge Trading Post Inc. does

Turtle Lodge Trading Post Inc. is an Indigenous women-owned, privately held mail-order wholesale and retail company founded in 2006 by Karen Bisson, a Member of the Metis Nation of Canada and the Ontario Coalition of Indigenous Peoples. Operating from the owner's 10-acre residential property in Clayton (Almonte), Ontario, on unceded Algonquin Territory, the company specializes in Indigenous ceremonial medicines, tools, art, textiles, books, and related cultural products. Its core categories include sacred botanicals (whole leaf organic Semah ceremonial tobacco, sweetgrass, sages, smudge sticks, dried herbs, bear grease, and liquid smudge hydrosols), ceremonial tools (abalone shells, smudging kits, feathers, copper bowls, talking sticks), Indigenous art (prints, birch bark baskets, spirit dolls, jewelry), textiles (broadcloth, ribbon shirts and skirts, Orange Shirt Day apparel), and educational books and DVDs. The company is Canada's first and only licensed distributor of whole leaf organic Semah for ceremonial purposes, a regulated position it has held since 2015.

The business runs on a Shopify e-commerce storefront with mail-order shipping across Canada and internationally via Canada Post and Canpar, supplemented by the Turtle on the Road (TOR) mobile distribution program that delivers products directly to the Kumik Elder's Lodge in Hull QC, the Wabano Centre for Indigenous Health in Ottawa ON, and regional pow wows and community events. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from $5 to over $150 per item, with volume discounts on Bear Grease (5-20% off at quantity tiers) and flat-rate lettermail shipping for small packages. Semah sales require an account approval workflow with age verification (19+) and ceremonial use certification, and currently ship only to registered Ontario addresses with a 3 kg cap without permit. The company is registered as a Government of Canada supplier, listed on SAP Ariba Discovery and Business Network, and holds validated membership in the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Indigenous Business Directory and Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) certification.

Revenue mechanics are split across three streams: direct-to-consumer retail e-commerce, wholesale/bulk institutional orders (band offices, friendship centres, health centres, educational institutions, government departments), and regulated Semah distribution. Customer segments include Indigenous individuals and communities (primary), Indigenous organizations, educational institutions, and government departments. The company is bootstrapped with founder ownership and a single 2020 Women's Entrepreneurship Fund grant from FedDev Ontario; in June 2026, Kira Frazer, daughter of founders Karen and Bernard, was appointed Vice President, signaling a family succession structure. There are no subsidiaries, no M&A activity, no venture or private equity investment, and no disclosed revenue figures.

Name

Turtle Lodge Trading Post Inc.

Legal name

Turtle Lodge Trading Post Inc.

Website

https://turtlelodgetradingpost.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Turtle Lodge Trading Post Inc. is an Indigenous women-owned mail-order retailer founded in 2006, selling ceremonial botanicals, tools, art, and textiles. Canada's only licensed distributor of whole leaf organic Semah, it serves Indigenous individuals, communities, institutions, and government clients via Shopify e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Retail - Indigenous Ceremonial Supplies

SIC

Retail-Nonstore Retailers (5960), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFAMAFAF

Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (Herbs, Botanicals) Wildcrafting/Cultivation

Agriculture & Food Production/Forestry & Logging/Non-Timber Forest Products (Resins, Gums, Mushrooms, Berries)

Keywords

• Indigenous ceremonial supplies
• Mail order retail
• Smudge botanicals
• Indigenous art gifts
• Ceremonial tobacco

Headquarters

HQ city

Clayton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail E-commerce Sales: Direct-to-consumer online sales through their Shopify e-commerce platform. Products include ceremonial botanicals (Semah, sweetgrass, sages), ceremonial tools, Indigenous art, textiles, books, and specialty items. Customers can purchase online with shipping across Canada and internationally.
2. Wholesale/Bulk Orders: Wholesale supply to organizations, educational institutions, band offices, health centres, and government departments. Handles large orders with purchase order systems. Also offers letter-mail flat-rate shipping for small packages.
3. Semah Ceremonial Tobacco Sales: Licensed sale of whole leaf organic Semah for ceremonial purposes. Requires account approval and verification. Only ships to registered Ontario addresses currently. Maximum 3kg without permit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Turtle Lodge Trading Post Inc. is an Indigenous women-owned mail-order wholesale and retail company that sells ceremonial botanicals (whole leaf organic Semah, sweetgrass, sages, dried herbs, smudge sticks), ceremonial tools (abalone shells, feathers, copper bowls, kits), Indigenous art and gifts (prints, birch bark baskets, dream catchers, spirit dolls), textiles (broadcloth, ribbon shirts and skirts, t-shirts), and books/DVDs focused on Indigenous culture. It is Canada's only licensed distributor of whole leaf organic Semah for ceremonial purposes, requiring account approval and age verification, with Semah shipping restricted to registered Ontario addresses.

Product overview

Turtle Lodge Trading Post Inc. operates a multi-category e-commerce retail platform built on Shopify that serves as a mail-order wholesale and retail company specializing in Indigenous ceremonial supplies and cultural products. The core product portfolio centers on sacred botanicals including Semah (ceremonial tobacco), sweetgrass, sage, and smudge sticks, complemented by ceremonial tools (shells, feathers, copper bowls), Indigenous art and gifts (prints, birch bark baskets, dream catchers), textiles (broadcloth, ribbon shirts/skirts), books, and Orange Shirt Day merchandise. The company is Canada's only licensed distributor of whole leaf organic Semah specifically for ceremonial purposes. Products are available through the Shopify-powered online store with shipping within Canada and limited to Ontario for Semah.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Semah (Whole Leaf Organic Ceremonial Tobacco) Whole leaf organic ceremonial tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum/Rustica hybrid) sold specifically for Indigenous ceremonial purposes. Available only to persons 19+ with an approved account verification, with shipping restricted to registered Ontario addresses and a 3 kg maximum without permit. 50g package priced at $14.50.
• Sweetgrass Products Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) products including dried loose herb (50g at $27.50), braids in sizes small ($16.50), medium ($17.50), large ($18.25), and extra large ($19.25), plus mini smudge sticks. For smudging and ceremonial use by Indigenous individuals and communities.
• Sage and Smudge Stick Products Smudge sticks and dried sage products including white sage 4-5" ($6.00-$14.00), blue sage ($6.50), cedar ($6.50-$6.75), palo santo ($4.25), and combination smudge bundles ($8.50-$15.75). Used for ceremonial smudging by Indigenous practitioners.
• Bear Grease 100% pure bear grease used for drum making, skin treatments, hair conditioning, and traditional ceremonial purposes. Sizes include 1 oz, 2 oz ($28.50), and 4 oz ($49.50). Volume discounts: 5% off 10+, 10% off 25+, 15% off 75+, 20% off 150+. Cannot be shipped outside Canada.
• Liquid Smudge (Steam Distilled Hydrosols) 100% steam distilled hydrosols for ceremonial smudging in 2 oz bottles: Osha/Bear Root ($20.95), White Sage ($14.95), Sweetgrass ($20.95), and White Cedar/Osha Blend ($14.95). Used as an alternative to burning smudge sticks.
• Soaps and Salves Handcrafted soaps (Beer Cedar Fire, Chaga Horse & Hound, Chaga Love, Forest Morning, Honey Oatmeal, Punch Up, Soothe, Sweet Basil Lemon, Wake Up) and Chaga Love salve made with natural ingredients for skin care and personal use.
• Ceremonial Tools Range of ceremonial tools including abalone shells, smudging kits, feathers, copper bowls and mugs, mortars and pestles, talking sticks, smudge bowl pillows, tripods, charcoal, and sinew. Supplied to Indigenous individuals, cultural programming, and ceremonial use.
• Indigenous Art and Gifts Art prints (e.g., Brad Henry & Christina Moore at $32.50, Chantal Lanouette at $28.95-$29.95, Louise Vien Giclée at $89.25), greeting cards ($6.00-$11.95), postcards, birch bark baskets, dream catchers, feather cases, talking sticks, jewelry, ceramic mugs, and spirit dolls (e.g., Shannon Parsons faceless needle-felted dolls at $99.75) by Indigenous and allied artists.
• Textiles and Clothing Broadcloth, ribbon shirts and skirts, t-shirts, 100% cotton masks, cloth and leather pouches, quilts and pillows, and children's clothing. Includes seasonal items such as leather stockings ($26.95-$42.00) and embroidered stockings ($118.75).
• Books and DVDs Educational, fiction, and colouring books, journals, notebooks, puzzles, and DVDs focused on Indigenous wisdom, language, and culture. Games, journals, and colouring books also offered.
• Orange Shirt Society Products Official Orange Shirt Society products including 'Every Child Matters' t-shirts for Orange Shirt Day awareness and residential school reconciliation. Official distributor relationship with the Orange Shirt Society.
• Dried Loose Herbs Wide variety of dried herbs including cedar leaf, lavender, mullein, rose petals, yarrow, sage leaf, damiana, usnea, ashwagandha, and many others sourced from organic or ethically wildcrafted origins for ceremonial and traditional use.
• Gift Cards Website gift cards available in various denominations starting at $10.00, usable across the full product catalog.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly two decades of trusted service to Indigenous communities since 2006
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kumik Elder's LodgecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Since 2015, Turtle Lodge Trading Post has partnered with the Kumik Elder's Lodge in Hull, QC. Administrator Luc Lacroix invited TLTP to bring products to the lodge on a regular basis. This partnership evolved into the Turtle on the Road (TOR) program. TLTP provides ceremonial supplies and medicines to Elders in residence, with special thanks to Elder Barbara Brant, Ted Silverhand, Mac Saulis, and other Elders and employees.
• Wabano Centre for Indigenous HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health invited TLTP to participate in their Monday Culture Night program, expanding the Turtle on the Road presence. TLTP provides Indigenous art and cultural supplies for community programming.
• Circle of All NationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro bono support provided to the organization founded by the late Algonquin Elder William Commanda. Karen Bisson developed and maintained the Asinabka website, created posters, newsletters, and promotional materials. Worked closely with Romola Thumbadoo on numerous projects.
• Ginawaydaganuc VillageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTLTP hosts merchandise featuring the Ginawaydaganuc Village logo, with proceeds supporting the non-profit's village project in Almonte, Ontario. Details available at www.ginawaydaganuc.ca with active Facebook and Instagram presence.
• Orange Shirt SocietycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial distributor of Orange Shirt Day merchandise, including 'Every Child Matters' t-shirts. Supports residential school awareness and reconciliation efforts through product sales.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/turtlelodge.tradingpost
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/turtle-lodge-trading-post-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Turtle Lodge Trading Post Inc.