“We’re building bridges between nations”

-Bob Patton

the Nation there are lingering liability concerns to be worked out.

“Anything can happen between the Espresso and the teepee going back and forth,” Wapachee explained. “We have to make sure the patients are protected and the organization as well. If it can work out, it would be great for the patients.”

The teepee is becoming a hub for healing and cultural activities, including partnerships with Cree Justice and Native Para-Judicial Services of Quebec, where Patton works as a Mohawk support worker. They’re also working with federal and provincial corrections departments. Five Indigenous men already completed court-ordered community service hours by cleaning and preparing moose meat.

While more visitors come in the warmer months, the teepee remained busy every weekend through this winter. In January, Kahnawake organizers and Waskaganish trappers came together to address a beaver overpopulation in the area, harvesting 10 beavers which were prepared by volunteers for a feast in the Mohawk longhouse.

“Bob just mentioned since we have a lot of snow now, they want to build a mountain for kids to slide down,” Matoush said. “There are lots of kids there having fun playing outside since they can’t do that in the city. They’re having a marshmallow or wiener roast at the teepee – it’s open to everybody.”

The initiative has welcomed folks from several First Nations and beyond – a Māori man from pits, install picnic tables and to landscape the property. They hope to offer overnight stays and create sweat lodges at the site.

There’s potential for making it “a home away from home” while addressing food security for Cree patients by developing community gardens, believes Patton. He suggested raising chickens and turkeys for both meat and eggs, which could then be delivered to patients or sold to subsidize teepee expenses.

“It’s all about bringing nations together, learning from each other,” said Matoush. “That’s what I dreamt about when we started. We’re making new friends every day! It’s so relaxing there – I feel like I’m back home.”

With windows and winter insulation, these teepees simplify visits from Cree patients and escorts staying at Montreal’s Espresso Hotel for medical reasons

It’s an ideal setting for alternative dispute resolution. Interest in the site has been expressed by Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous