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Inspiration

Extending the Rafters: A Story of Welcome

When we gather together, our circle grows wider, our connections deeper, and our community stronger. The Heart of Our Design The inspiration for our gift box comes from the Haudenosaunee tradition of "Extending the Rafters" - Kaiéri niiorì:wake - a powerful metaphor for expanding one's home and heart to welcome more people.

Just as our ancestors would physically extend their longhouses to make room for new family members, this principle teaches us about growth, inclusion, and the warmth of community. A Modern Welcome Mohawk Artist Melissa Brant brings this teaching to life through her exclusive gift box design. Her artwork captures the essence of Kaiéri niiorì:wake - showing how a home can stretch and grow while maintaining its strong foundation.

The design reflects both physical and spiritual expansion: The lengthening of rafters symbolizes our expanding circle of friendship Traditional patterns represent the weaving together of communities Flowing lines echo the continuous growth of relationships Earth tones ground us in our connection to land and tradition The Spirit of Sharing Inside this thoughtfully designed box, you'll find carefully selected teas, coffee, and chocolates - each chosen to help create moments of connection. Like extending the rafters of a longhouse, sharing these beverages opens our hearts and homes to new friendships and deeper understanding.

Description

Inside Your Friendship Tasters Plus Gift Box

Each item in our gift box has been thoughtfully selected to create moments of connection, presented in Melissa Brant's beautiful "Extending the Rafters" designed box.

Premium Coffee Selection

Friendship Coffee (Atenró:sera) - Organic Blonde-Medium Roast
Inspired by the spirit of the Friendship Wampum Belt, celebrating enduring connections between people

Origin: A harmonious blend of Colombian, Peruvian, and Guatemalan beans
Roast Level: Blonde-Medium (Dirty Blonde)
Profile: Strikes a perfect balance, offering bold flavours while maintaining a smooth and comforting taste
Format: Ground, 340g bag
Perfect For: Morning gatherings and shared moments

Signature Tea Collection

Wisdom Tea (Nbwaakaawin)
A unique blend that embodies wisdom while promoting protection and overall wellness

Ingredients: Moringa, Green Tea, Spearmint
Tasting Notes: Smooth, clean and green with a lightly roasted and slightly vegetative palate, giving way to delicate and refreshing menthol notes
Health Benefits: Super Antioxidant
Caffeine Content: Low
Food Pairings: All fish, shellfish, fruit and salad
Format: 30 Sachets (54g)

Respect Tea (Mnaadendiwin)
A harmonious infusion that embodies the essence of respect from the Seven Grandfather Teachings

Ingredients: Ginger, Orange Peel, Turmeric, Hibiscus, Beet, Black Pepper, Natural Flavour

Tasting Notes: Amber cup reflective of upfront sweet orange balanced perfectly with pine sap and deep caramel notes

Health Benefits: Anti-inflammatory

Caffeine Content: Caffeine free

Food Pairings: Salad, nuts, chicken, pasta dishes

Format: 30 Sachets (54g)

Artisanal Chocolate Selection

Milk Chocolate Bar
Smooth, creamy texture
Perfect complement to our Friendship Coffee
Ideal for afternoon tea pairings

Dark Chocolate Bar
Rich, deep flavour profile
Excellent companion to both tea and coffee
Enhanced by the warming notes of our Respect Tea
The Gift Box
Designed by renowned Mohawk Artist Melissa Brant, inspired by "Extending the Rafters"

Artist

Melissa Brant

Melissa Brant stands tall and proud as an Indigenous woman, holding multifaceted roles: a mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Beyond these intimate roles, Melissa's identity blossoms vibrantly as a multidisciplinary artist specializing in face and body painting.

To Melissa, art is not just a medium of expression; it's a beacon, illuminating the richness of culture. It plays a pivotal role in weaving together generations, offering a platform to share knowledge, inspire the youth, and connect with the wisdom of elders. It becomes a silent yet powerful communicator, voicing sentiments when words fall short. She celebrates healing, understanding, acceptance, purpose, and illumination through her art.

Every brushstroke echoes her gratitude to those who paved the path before her, those walking beside her, and those who will trail-blaze in the future. Melissa's exceptional talent emerges most brilliantly when she merges illusion with body art, ushering her work into a realm of innovation and vision.

Over the past decade, her artistry has traversed a broad spectrum - from abstract creations and lifelike portraits to expansive murals and enchanting masquerades. Whether working on canvas, glass, or human skin, Melissa's touch metamorphoses the ordinary into extraordinary.