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Aaniin, Welcome All
This is our first newsletter as a newly designated charitable organization, the Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (MCIK).

We invite you to turn your pledges into donations, and we welcome new donors! We are partnered with the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes for raising and administering funds during this critical stage of our growth. 
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Let us begin in a good way by stating our intention to acknowledge and protect the lands and waters here which are located on the traditional territories of the Williams Treaties First Nations and Treaty 20. We do so with respect for First Peoples who have cared for these lands since time immemorial and with a commitment to action towards healing, reconciliation, and restitution.
Curve Lake First Nation Chief and Council continue to give full support to working with the Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge.  Indigenous members will be joining the Board of Directors and the aim is to have equal settler - Indigenous representation as soon as possible.

The new Mayor and Council at the City of Kawartha Lakes have been working closely with the MCIK Directors to see how the City can assist going forward.

We are continuing our discussions with the current owners about how we can procure the 3.37 acres of land at 45 Canal Street Bobcaygeon.

In 2022, the MCIK received a grant of $20,000 from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union(OPSEU). In June, 2023 the organization applied for a grant from the Community Service Recovery Fund through the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, and in July, 2023, received another $30,000 grant from OPSEU.

While we were awaiting news concerning charitable status, individuals like yourselves pledged close to $30,000, a great start to what will now transform into a major fundraising initiative. Let us know if there are organizations you think we should approach.
 
Strawberries and the Mishkodeh
On Saturday, June 17, the Mishkodeh Centre held a special gathering by the waters across from the proposed Mishkodeh site. We were joined by Chief Keith Knott who spoke of the history of Indigenous - settler relations in the Kawarthas and Knowledge Keepers Dorothy Taylor and Anne Taylor who lead us in song and story. Brittany Taylor performed a smudge and all joined in a special ceremony to awaken the community to the beauty and long history of this special place. Indian Pow Wow tacos were served as well as strawberries and ice cream for all.
A Place for Healing
The National Healing Forest Initiative is very interested in the Mishkodeh site as a potential place for healing - for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons. They partner with the David Suzuki Foundation to set up Healing Forests across Canada;
 
Stay tuned for news of a special gala dinner and concert on Friday, August 25 in Bobcaygeon!
Support Us
Please let us know if you are still able to financially support the Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge. Finally, you can do this and receive a tax receipt!  For those who have already donated, Miigwetch!
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Many heartfelt thanks for your wonderful support!  By donating, you are making a huge contribution towards true Reconciliation and the building of stronger relationships between settlers and First Peoples!
WWW.MISHKODEH.ORG

www.kawarthafoundation.ca