Indigenous businesses in N.S. adapt to tariff uncertainties

Two Indigenous business operators in Nova Scotia say they've had to make adjustments to their business practices to contend with the implications of U.S. tariffs.

Jason Hartung is the owner of Turtle Island Market, an e-commerce business that sells digital art, canvas paintings, clothing and other items featuring Indigenous art.

He told CBC News that he has stopped sourcing products from American suppliers due to the uncertainty that has been impacting Canada-U.S. trade relations since President Donald Trump took office in January and began threatening to impose 25 per cent tariffs on a host of Canadian goods.

"Being a small business owner, I never thought or imagined I would have to become an expert in global affairs and … world economics," Hartung said in an interview. "You got to keep up to date with a lot of the laws and a lot of the issues."

Previously, Hartung said, he had always taken pride in being able to say that he was using products from all across North America as part of his business plan. 

"The whole idea as an Indigenous business was Turtle Island," he said of the name some Indigenous people use to refer to the continent. "It's not just the three Indigenous groups in Canada, I'm trying to take into account the Indigenous groups in the United States as well."

Hartung said he supports the Buy Canadian movement that has steadily gained steam since the trade war triggered by Trump's tariff threats began. But he said it has required him to do considerable research on who he wants to do business with because some Canadian companies are still getting their products from the United States. 

"I know I'm not alone, there's lots of other small business owners that are dealing with these issues," he said. "I think we need to lean more on each other."   

International Mi'kmaw artist Leonard Paul has owned an art marketing company, Foxtrail Editions, since 1994. He agrees with Hartung that it's more important than ever to focus on local markets.

Paul said it's been getting harder for artists to make a living, and some artists have been feeling financial strain for a while.  

"The tariffs are causing a strain now for everyone," Paul said in an interview. "It knows no culture, people and target. It's … anyone in Canada."

As an artist, Paul said, he has learned how to make ends meet. He said the tariffs will exacerbate the challenges of an already struggling sector.

"I had to do a lot of thinking and do a lot of readjustments," he said.

Paul said he will continue to sell his art through his website, as well as through local events and art shows.