We are happy to announce Endaayaan Awejaa as the recipient of the 2020 nomz grant!
This was a unanimous decision by the Indigenous Selection Committee which evaluated the applications based on their ability to positively impact Canada's Indigenous community.

Endaayaan Awejaa, started by Strong Earth Woman (spirit name) Natasha Lariviere (English name) from Nipissing First Nation, is a non-profit organization started to empower youth with the message that they can go anywhere and do anything their hearts want​,​ and that home is a feeling inside​​ while providing a safe place to learn, heal and grow into the person they dream to be. They offer community outreach programming through arts and culture, reconciliation, education and harm reduction to help with overall wellness which includes emotional, physical, mental and spiritual wellness.

“This nomz grant helped us kick off our annual winter gear drive. We were able to support 10 youth with new winter gear. This also helped us provide care packages and art workshops when we were first starting off. We were able to support youth with medicine bundles as well to help them reconnect with culture.”

Thank you to all who applied, and thank you to Cindy, Florence and Allen for all your time vetting through these thoughtful and inspiring applications.

Where to find Endaayaan Awejaa:

@endaayaan_awejaa

endaayaanawejaa.com

Congratulations to Sapling & Flint, the recipient of the second annual nomz grant!
Twin sisters and proud Mohawk mothers, Teyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant and Yonenyà:kenht Jesse Brant co-founded Sapling & Flint, a jewellery manufacturing company specializing in conversation pieces that share the story of Turtle Island and share insight to Haudenosaunee culture and history. Starting in 2017 – Sapling & Flint design, make, and sell in their home community of Six Nations of the Grand River territory. Through their work, they seek to create jobs for community creatives in their home village of Ohswé:ken, raise the profile of Indigenous art, fashion and design, and bring authentic Indigenous designed and made products nationwide. Thank you to all who applied and shared their stories with us, and thank you to the Indigenous selection committee for their time vetting these inspiring applications.

Where to find Sapling and Flint:

@saplingandflint

saplingandflint.ca

Amanda Paul of Bear Island Maple Syrup Producers, and Wild Rice Harvesters, Temagami First Nation, Bear Island

"We are a First Nation's agricultural business; we grow and harvest traditional indigenous foods. We are located on the traditional lands of Temagami first nation.

We actually bring the elementary school students out to help with collecting sap in the spring and planting of wild rice in the fall. Educating the young people is what we love to bring back to our community."

To follow and support Bear Island Maple Syrup Producers, and Wild Rice Harvesters – click here.

Amy Pelletier founder of Kwey Cuisine, Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, New Brunswick

"Three years ago I created Kwey Cuisine to be a small catering company specializing in indigenous and french fusion dishes. Today it is so much more than that. It is opening dialog using food, and reviving our food culture.

My community has lost a lot of its culture, not to mention the knowledge of our ancient medicines and foods. My love for food and my wolastoqiyik culture, and wanting to restore our food culture is what motivates me. I am a passionate cook,chef, and entrepreneur. I want to share my food, my culture and my love for both in the dishes I prepare for my clients and guests. I have a vision of a long table with people sitting together, young and old, native and non-native, eating together and discussing, learning from each other and l believe that is my calling, it is the role I have to play in the pursuit of truth and reconciliation.”

Follow and support Kwey Cuisine on Instagram: @kweycuisine

Sarah Meconse Mierau, founder of Tradish

"Tradish brings traditional Indigenous nourishment to urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous health-conscious people while supporting Indigenous food sovereignty. Due to a lack of access to traditional foods, urban Indigenous populations are disconnected from conventional Indigenous nutrition. Tradish emphasizes organic, Indigenous, sustainable nourishment with medicinal jams and other products."

Follow & support Tradish on Instagram and Facebook!