Esther Maud
Wabshkaa Animkii Benesii Cultural Hub & Storytelling Lodge | Thunder Bay, Ontario
Esther Maud is an Ojibwe and South Asian mother of six, and founder of Wabshkaa Animkii Benesii, an Indigenous-led after-school program in Thunder Bay. As the daughter of a residential school and Sixties Scoop survivor, she has lived experience that fuels her passion for healing and cultural revitalization. She is also the co-founder of the Orange Abiinoojih Movement, where a Sacred Fire burned for 123 days to honour the 215+ children found in Kamloops. Today, through WAB, Esther creates safe, inclusive spaces for children, youth, and families to connect with culture, language, land, and traditional foods, fostering resilience and community pride.
About the Project
The Wabshkaa Animkii Benesii Cultural Hub & Storytelling Lodge will create a welcoming public space where youth, Elders, families, and neighbors gather to share culture, stories, and food. In partnership with Roots to Harvest, we will host monthly storytelling circles inside their teepee, with bannock and tea cooked over the fire. Workshops at Sherbrooke School will include ribbon skirt and shirt making, drum and rattle teachings, and regalia showcases. Seasonal feasts will celebrate community and a sense of belonging. This project strengthens cultural pride, fosters reconciliation, and builds inclusion by bringing people together across generations and backgrounds.