about us
Kokwel Candles is a family-run business proudly owned by an enrolled member of the Coquille Indian Tribe.
Rooted in the rich heritage of the Pacific Northwest, we hand-pour every candle using premium soy wax and beeswax. Our name, Kokwel (pronounced “ko-kwel”), honors the traditional pronunciation of our tribe’s name and the deep connection our people have to this land.
Inspired by the forests, coastlines, and wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest, our scents capture the essence of home — crisp ocean air, towering evergreens, rain-kissed earth, and the warm glow of cedar and berry.
Each candle is crafted with care in small batches, using sustainably sourced materials whenever possible, to bring clean-burning, long-lasting fragrance into your space.
The Coquille Indian Tribe has called the rivers, forests, and shores of Oregon’s Pacific Northwest home for over 14,000 years.
Our ancestors thrived on the abundant salmon, lamprey, and forest resources of the Coquille River watershed and southern coast.
In the 19th century, European diseases, violent conflicts, and forced removal devastated our people.
Though a treaty was signed in 1855, it was never ratified, and many were marched to reservations.
In 1954, the federal government terminated recognition of the Coquille Tribe.
After decades of perseverance, we regained federal recognition through the Coquille Restoration Act on June 28, 1989 —
an achievement we proudly celebrate each year.
Today, as a restored sovereign nation, the Coquille Indian Tribe is rebuilding our homeland, revitalizing our culture and language, and practicing responsible stewardship of the land that has sustained us since time immemorial.
Kokwel Candles is a family-run, tribally owned business proudly carrying forward this legacy of resilience,
respect for nature, and connection to the Pacific Northwest.
“Kokwel Candles has an amazing team. It's been a pleasure.”
E. Davis
