What's it all about?

This campaign page is to help grow seed funding for Sweetgrass Lodge, a community space where Alyjah Ermine and Tami Leigh will provide ceremony, land-based healing, and transformative education offerings.

The initial goal of $600,000, to be raised by September 2026 through this campaign page, will be split to cover the costs of providing ceremony space in a temporary location, and start growing a capital fund to purchase land for a permanent home for Sweetgrass Lodge. Our audacious fundraising goal for 2026 is $1,000,000!

(So like, Mackenzie Scott, if you see this, pocket change!)

What is Sweetgrass Lodge?

Sweetgrass Lodge is a space that will prioritize ceremonial and cultural practices that are safe and appropriate for 2Spirit, Indigiqueer, and LGBTQ+ peoples, while also including members of other communities. We will offer a full suite of services to support organizations and communities looking to deconstruct colonized beliefs and systems--all through land-based practices.

How will this campaign support the overall project?

This campaign has a dual purpose:

If you are based in Canada, you can also contribute to this project directly via e-transfer, which will not have any fees. Please e-transfer your contributions to: sweetgrass "at" rainbowstorytelling "dot" com

The Importance of Ceremony that centres and prioritised 2S/Indigiqueer folks

Transphobia and homophobia persist within Indigenous communities due to the ongoing effects of colonization and Indian Residential Schools (IRS). Through revitalization of Indigenous cultures, many nations are now practicing their ceremonies and working tirelessly to reclaim identities, and languages to create spaces of healing for current and future generations. Because of harmful transphobic and homophobic beliefs our 2Spirit & Indigiqueer community members are often excluded from ceremony and cultural practices.

We are working to prioritize ceremonial and cultural practices that are safe and appropriate for 2Spirit, Indigiqueer, and LGBTQ+ peoples, while also including members of other communities. We want to provide a consistent, ongoing offering beginning in May 2026 that will support healing and connection for our community.

It is essential that Ceremony spaces are free for participants, which is why this fundraiser is essential. It will help cover the costs of preparing the land, building a lodge, and transporting folks to attend Ceremony.

The Importance of the Capital Campaign

By owning the land, we will be able to secure a space that is not dependent on landlords and tenant agreements. Once we have secured land we will be able to develop a culture of land stewardship with community members. This will help with shifting relationships to the land through the community we build and grow through offering Ceremony and working with community partners.

What is the fiscal & community model for this project?

This initiative will be an incorporated for-profit, social enterprise organization. Operationally our business model contributes to Indigenous economic sustainability and sovereignty while acknowledging the current systems we live within.

The land piece is crucial because it's not just about having a physical space - it's about being able to:

Continuity looks like...

A stable, consistent space for 2S/Indigiqueer folks to gather in ceremony.

Building relationships looks like...

Education/gathering space welcome to all who want to participate in ceremony and in learning models of land stewardship, reciprocity and mutual aid.

A Home Base looks like...

A physical home for Sweetgrass Lodge, including housing for Alyjah and Tami, a sweat lodge, education/retreat centre and accessible natural spaces where community members can come to learn and heal.

How else is this being funded?

Alongside this community fundraiser, we are looking at multiple income streams to support this project.

If you would like to be a community partner, please reach out to Alyjah Ermine at alyjah "at" rainbowstorytelling "dot" com

We also accept e-transfer contributions, for those based in so-called Canada. If you would like to contribute this way, please send e-transfers to: sweetgrass "at" rainbowstorytelling "dot" com