On December 13, tragedy struck when my dear friend and client Kiley May lost everything in a sudden and devastating house fire. The cause remains undetermined, but within hours her home, belongings, and sense of safety were gone.
Most heartbreakingly, Kiley’s two beloved Dogo Argentino dogs, Ares and Persephone — her constant companions — did not survive. This loss has been devastating beyond words.
The fire destroyed the Virginia Hill Estate, a mid-19th-century family homestead with roots dating back to the 1800s, located on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. The land and home had been in Kiley’s family for generations and were central to her active land and house reclamation project — an effort to restore, protect, and honor her family’s legacy and Indigenous stewardship of the property. There was no insurance on the home, making this loss total and devastating.
Kiley is a Two-Spirit Hotinonshón:ni (Mohawk & Cayuga) storyteller, actor, and artist. She studied journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University and currently works as the Project Coordinator for Love Builds the Bundle at Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services (GFASS), where she supports Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth and community members through education, advocacy, and trauma-informed programming.
Alongside her community work, Kiley has built a successful acting career, with credits including Coroner, It: Chapter Two, Allegiance, and a recurring role on Sheriff Country, bringing authentic trans representation to the screen.
Now, she needs our help.
This fundraiser will support emergency housing, clothing, basic necessities, replacement of essential personal items, and provide stability as Kiley grieves, heals, and begins rebuilding her life after this unimaginable loss.
Kiley has spent her life uplifting others through her art, advocacy, and compassion. Let’s come together to support her now and remind her she is not alone.
If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page makes a huge difference.
Thank you for your kindness.
Alix Kazman on behalf of Kiley May