Hello!  Thanks for your interest in supporting April Mae Clara Nyquist. She is the core of our peer group, her patience, kindness, artistic spirit, and her consistent curation of intimate gatherings centered on sharing meals and adventures has always proven this.  April has a strong connection to place.  She enjoys spending time outdoors with friends and her two pups Zaagi and Debibi.

April is both African American and Anishinaabe, a lineal descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indigenous Americans.  She was born in Duluth, Minnesota, grew up in Alaska, and spent her college years in Washington state.  Portland has been April’s home for 6 years now and a place where she has found a loving and supportive community.

Let’s help April build a safe and secure nest for this next chapter in Portland.  Our goal is to help her secure funding for housing and some essentials for the baby while she will be out of work to care for her little one.  All donations are helpful and welcome.

A message from April’s mother:
“I am blessed that April chose me to be her mom and it has been a beautiful adventure learning from her.  I am so excited she will soon meet her Little One and join in this motherhood adventure.  My favorite lesson, the young artist, April taught me was when she asked me why she couldn't color on the walls.  After all, the walls were a blank canvas, and April has brought color and life into every space she inhabits since she entered the world when I gave birth to her.  Being true to her authentic self, she created an amazing mural on her bedroom walls.  She makes space for others to create and express themselves.  April is going to be an amazing mommy, and I am thrilled to hear her answers to the 'why.'  Miigwech (thank you) Zahgidiwin Ginwenzh (April, Longest Loved) for allowing me to become Nookomis (grandmother).”

A message from April’s grandmother:
“April is our first grandchild.  As new grandparents, we realized having a grandchild is the icing on the cake of life!  And becoming a great grandparent is the sweetest of life's gifts!  Thank you, darling April!”