Indigenous Knowledge Can Help You Glow: The Story of Tal-Glow

By Kekeletso Nkele, small.news Assistant

(small.news) — Amanda Buchanan, a Coast Salish woman from the Katzie First Nation and a registered nurse, understood the importance of holistic beauty as a health care professional.

That’s how she became the founder and innovator of a skincare brand rooted in ancestral knowledge and natural wellness. Her brand, Tal-Glow, incorporates ancestral wisdom, natural wellness, and modern beauty.

Amanda turned to an ingredient she had never thought about before for Tal-Glow: Grass-fed beef tallow. It worked amazing, and was the answer she needed to up her skincare routine. This revelation couldn’t be kept to herself, so she told all of her loved ones.

She started sharing the jars she had, but soon realized that there was a demand for this. A demand that she could fill. The fall came, and Amanda decided to invest in her business. By the Christmas season, Tal-Glow was born, leading her to attend her first artisan markets.

The Importance of Holistic Medicine

As a practicing emergency room nurse, the use of Western medicine is vital to Amanda’s professional career. However, she recognizes the importance of holistic medicine due to her heritage and practices. Amanda believes that the earth provides what we need for health and sustainability.

Each one of her products are handmade in the Vancouver Islands, blending nutrient-rich tallow with purposeful botanicals. Her products provide hydration and protection with a natural glow. Her customers describe Tal-Glow as life-changing for their skin, helping soothe irritations, repair the barrier, and transform their routines.

Amanda creates alternatives that heal as well as enhance, with one of her most popular products being the Sun Stick SPF Tallow Balm. Alongside restorative creams and balms, she has developed tinted, multifunctional products that enhance appearance and support skin health.

Carrying Her Indigenous Knowledge

Amanda emphasized that Tal-Glow is more than just a skincare brand. It’s a way of carrying her Indigenous knowledge forward, proving that ancestral practices have a place in today’s beauty industry. Each product is made with a touch of heritage and health, with Tal-Glow being deeply valued by Amanda and her culture.

Tal-Glow has grown from local markets to being carried in stores, galleries, and artisan showcases. Most recently, Amanda’s products have become part of the Indigenous Artisan Market at the Nanaimo Art Gallery, affirming Tal-Glow as both a wellness brand and an expression of Indigenous artistry.

Clearly, Tal-Glow continues to glow while staying true to its values surrounding sustainability, heritage, and natural wellness.

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