05/25/2026
Heading out into the community to do the work you’re called to do is a beautiful, sacred thing. ✨
When ISAN was first brought to life in 2021, the entire heart and purpose of that network was to create a supportive space where local Indigenous initiatives could take root, thrive, and come to full fruition and our communities could honor Truth and Reconciliation in all its forms, together.
To see that fundamental vision blooming now across our region is an incredible gift.
Today, I want to use the Building the Fire space to celebrate and hype up two beautiful, local Indigenous-led initiatives launched by former directors. These projects are completely their own standalone visions—conceived, built, and carried by their own hands, hearts, and medicine. I am just so incredibly proud to stand in their corner and cheer them on! 🧡
🦅 Two Row Culture & Community Space
A beautiful new chapter is beginning very soon in Woodstock, and it is the result of the personal heart, prayers, and hard work of Becca Neepinn, who is Bear Clan from Fox Lake Cree Nation. Becca is creating a safe, welcoming, and culturally grounded space for our community to gather, learn, heal, and connect in Woodstock.
She is opening the doors to her space with a New Moon Ceremony on Sunday, June 14th at 12:00 PM (located at 1033 Pattullo Ave, Unit 5 Upstairs, Woodstock).
Because she is building this sacred space from the ground up, she is currently welcoming community support with donations, supplies, and sacred medicines to get started in a good way. Let's wrap some community care around her! You can support by sharing her flyer, donating, or stopping by to check out her Two Row merch and treats.
Two Row Creeations
🌿 Makwa Medicine Ecological Consious Landscaping and Restoration
We also want to give a massive shoutout to a new path born from the passion and dedication of Keegan Marshal-DeSutter, who is Bear Clan from Akwesasne. Keegan is bringing a profound shift to the landscaping industry with his own business, grounding his work in a Two-Eyed Seeing approach.
His vision weaves professional horticulture with a deep, generational respect for the ecosystem. Instead of forcing or disrupting a yard, Makwa Medicine focuses on healing local ecosystems, nurturing native Ontario plants, and caring for the land in a gentle, mindful way.
Keegan is busy laying the groundwork and getting everything dialed in for his official launch next spring. Please head over to the Makwa Medicine page, give it a "Like," and follow along as his vital work grows!
Makwa Medicine Ecological Restoration
🔥 Keeping the Flame Burning with Building the Fire
As these leaders continue on their journeys and tend to their own fires, Building the Fire remains deeply committed. Guided by my own roots and teachings as mixed heritage Thunderbird Clan Annishnaabe kwe, my dedication to our collective journey is as strong as ever.
I am honored to keep focusing on the heart-work I've been called to do:
🫶Delivering foundational community training and educational workshops.
🫂Working hard to establish a designated outdoor gathering space to bring Ceremony directly to Ingersoll.
🗣Actively advancing Truth and Reconciliation policy in Oxford County through dedicated committee and board participation.
There is so much room for all of us to grow, create, and heal in our own ways. When separate fires are lit across our territories, the whole community gets warmer. Let’s celebrate the incredible gifts Becca and Keegan are bringing forward, and keep building the fire together!
