When someone sits down with a cup of their coffee, Natasha Parrish (SkB次元官网网址檌ng luudas) and Kear Porttris hope not only do they enjoy the aromatic flavours, but also feel inspired to build and explore their connection to Indigenous communities.

As just like coffee is ingrained in most peopleB次元官网网址檚 daily routines, the co-founders of Indigenous Roots Coffee Co., feel moments of truth and reconciliation can also be weaved into our lives.

A sentiment echoed in their slogan, B次元官网网址楨veryday acts of reconciliation.B次元官网网址� 

B次元官网网址淲e envision people sitting down with our coffee, sharing stories, reading,B次元官网网址� says Porttris. B次元官网网址淏ecause it really starts with the individual.B次元官网网址�

The couple both work in the field of Indigenous education; Parrish works at Camosun College as education developer for Indigenization, and Porttris works as a consultant, helping facilitate connections between large projects and Indigenous communities.

Using this experience and their own connections to their cultures B次元官网网址� Porttris is M茅tis and Parrish is Haida B次元官网网址� Indigenous Roots Coffee has been created as a gateway to learn more about truth and reconciliation.

B次元官网网址淲e were really seeing a lot of desire and need for more education out there for people,B次元官网网址� said Porttris. B次元官网网址淧eople every day asking how they can learn more, what they can do or buy to help.B次元官网网址�

As well as raise awareness, the brand hopes to build community connections and celebrate Indigenous cultures through art and relationships. 

B次元官网网址淪ometimes the public doesn't get to see or hear what Indigenous Peoples are already doing,B次元官网网址� said Parrish.

With her Haida family involved in the coffee industry for over 30 years, Parrish says she hopes Indigenous Roots Coffee can be an extension of that history and experience.

B次元官网网址淲hen my family visit each other, we always have coffee B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 just part of our culture, and I love that,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淐offee is a great way to just sit and talk with each other and share information B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 bonding.B次元官网网址�

Four blends of coffee are available, each partnered with a different Indigenous grassroots initiative. The couple hope the partnerships will help shine a light on Indigenous excellence, innovation and courage.

B次元官网网址淔or me, it's coming alongside what people are already doing,B次元官网网址� says Parrish. B次元官网网址淪o it's nothing new, weB次元官网网址檙e just highlighting it and bringing it forward so we can all learn more together.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淣atasha and I are strong believers that the community does well, if everyone in the community is doing well and vice versa B次元官网网址� our success is community success,B次元官网网址� adds Porttris.

Their Big House Blend coffee contributes to community and family gatherings, while their Canoe Connections blend supports the Geronimo Canoe Club in Brentwood Bay.

For Porttris, the initiative he feels a personal connection to is the Joyful Jiggers, a Metis dance group, which his 13-year-old daughter Abigail and her friend Piper belong to.

The initiative is paired with their Express Yourself Espresso blend.

B次元官网网址淭o have two teenagers motivated to share their knowledge of dance and help build that skill in the community is I think really special,B次元官网网址� he says.

ItB次元官网网址檚 the work of the XAXE TENEW Sacred Land Society, supported by their Land Back blend, which Parrish admires most B次元官网网址� both for the organizationB次元官网网址檚 work to create a safe space for Indigenous women and two-spirited people in Saanich, and the coffeeB次元官网网址檚 flavour.

B次元官网网址淚 think it's just so important we think about colonization and the effect that it's had on land,B次元官网网址� she says.

But the pair are not resting on their laurels, as their company grows they hope to expand their outreach and foster more community connections.

The packaging for each of the four coffee flavours blends the coupleB次元官网网址檚 Metis and Haida cultures, with Metis floral beadwork and the Haida formline of Kaagan Jaad (Mouse Woman) adorned on each packet.

Each flavour also has its own logo, created by WSANEC artist Chazz Elliott (Temoseng), who crafted each design to reflect the feelings and energy of each coffee.

For the Express Yourself Espresso blend, Elliott has created a hummingbird design to reflect how people involved in arts and culture can express themselves.

B次元官网网址淎s the hummingbird can go whichever direction it wants,B次元官网网址� says Porttris.

According to Porttris, the artwork was developed before the coffee flavours, with the feelings generated by the art the influence for the blends.

B次元官网网址淚t was a really beautiful process,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭he flavours of the coffee actually align with all the artwork.B次元官网网址�

The couple hopes the intricate artwork will encourage consumers to get curious about the different cultures represented.

B次元官网网址淎nd demonstrate the beauty of indigenous cultures,B次元官网网址� adds Parrish.

B次元官网网址淚 think just bringing that forward demonstrates that Indigenous Peoples have always been creators and they've always been innovators,B次元官网网址� she adds.

With a lack of B次元官网网址榚verydayB次元官网网址� Indigenous products on the shelves of grocery stores, the couple say the coffee has been well received by all.

B次元官网网址淧eople have been really loving the connections, the opportunity to connect with community and for Indigenous Peoples, I've been noticing a lot of pride B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e drawn to it,B次元官网网址� said Parrish.

B次元官网网址淭hey just are very proud of the Indigenous Peoples involved B次元官网网址� artists, land back initiatives, community members that are canoeing or jigging. There's a real sense of pride.B次元官网网址�

For more information about Indigenous Roots Coffee Co., which can be ordered online, visit the website: .