Wisahkotewinowak Collective
Sugar Bush Operations
Since the first boil in 2018, Wisahkoteinowak’s maple syrup production has grown and evolved in the years following. Last year, we were grateful to be welcomed guests on Land at Crow Shield Lodge’s Site One Sugar Bush.Through collaboration, knowledge sharing and continued trial and error, we were able to share many litres of syrup with Crow Shield Lodge, dedicated volunteers, Food Pantry participants, and community members at our annual Tap Off celebration.
Our Sugar Bush activities are run collectively by members of Wisahkotewinowak and in collaboration with Crow Shield Lodge. From tapping trees to firing the evaporator, every part of the process is done by community, for community. Maple syrup from this Land supports Wisahotewinowak programming and is shared amongst Indigenous community. More specifically, the maple syrup is incorporated into public cooking and baking workshops, gifted to volunteers and partnering individuals and organizations, as well as used in food served at our Tap Off event.
Wisahkotewinowak ensures all activities on this Land are conducted in a good way in the spirit of reciprocity. We aim to respect and protect the variety and abundant plant and animal kin we are sharing this space with.
Wisahkotewinowak’s is a proud collaborator in maple syrup production and processing around the Kitchener-Waterloo Region.
Wisahk has been practicing maple syrup production since 2018 and continues to receive teachings and gifts from each Sugar Bush we steward.
In 2026, we are excited to be guests at the Williamsburg Cemetery west woodlot. We have worked closely with the City of Kitchener Natural Areas and Forestry to spend the sugar season tending to this new-to-us space. This Sugar Bush is a mixed forest and is home to a variety of tree species including, sugar maples, silver maples, oak, pine, black cherry, and more!
Check out the video featured in our Canadian Institute for Climate Choices case study. Members of the Collective, Dave and Sarina, reflect on the importance of the sweet water season, the gifts received in this time, and the signs of growth ahead. Credit and heartfelt thanks goes to Christina De Melo for filming and production.
