The We Wai Kai First Nation is opening of a new Starbucks cafe and drive-thru in Campbell River.

Situated on the We Wai Kai reserve at the Quinsam Crossing development at 101-125 Brant Drive in Campbell River, B.C., this 1,700 square ft. store will serve as a local cafe for the We Wai KaiB次元官网网址檚 1,200 nation members and people from surrounding communities.

When ground broke last year, it was proclaimed as the first Indigenous-owned Starbucks licenced-store in Canada

With a focus on hiring local members of the community, the store has created new job opportunities, employing over 20 baristas so far. The business also plans to support the Campbell River food bank.

B次元官网网址淭he nationB次元官网网址檚 leadership fully understands that achieving true reconciliation will not be possible without vibrant Indigenous economies, characterized by economic self-sufficiency and socio-economic equality with the rest of Canada. Our new licensed Starbucks store helps us further move towards economic self-sufficiency as we continue to build our own-source revenues,B次元官网网址� said Ronnie Chickite, We Wai Kai Nation Chief Councillor.

The store has been designed to pay homage to We Wai Kai culture, incorporating local materials and art by local artists. Inside the store is a hand-painted mural made by Jessica Chickite. The artwork draws from the NationB次元官网网址檚 creation story of the Great Flood and honours and celebrates the NationB次元官网网址檚 history and culture.

The mural also incorporates the Starbucks siren, which Chickite says B次元官网网址減articipates in this dramatic retelling of the We Wai KaiB次元官网网址檚 origins, swimming below two canoes B次元官网网址� a reference to the canoes that first brought my ancestors to the We Wai Kai Nation. The mural celebrates our stories, symbols and traditions passed down over generations, even as it embraces new beginnings and possibilities.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲e are proud to open this store to bring the Starbucks Experience to even more customers with the We Wai Kai Nation as its licensee to help serve the unique needs and priorities of this community,B次元官网网址� said Shannon Leisz, Vice President, Store Development, Starbucks Canada. B次元官网网址淭his moment not only represents our continuous commitment to strengthen our understanding and relationships with Indigenous communities, but also demonstrates our desire to mutually thrive together.B次元官网网址�

A release from Starbucks says that this new store is part of Starbucks CanadaB次元官网网址檚 ongoing Reconciliation journey and continued effort to advance equity, diversity and inclusion, this store is part of the companyB次元官网网址檚 approach to building respectful, meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities.

Last month, Starbucks also opened its first licensed store on ATR land (addition to reserve) with SaskatchewanB次元官网网址檚 Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

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