MINI TIPI’s aim is to address the lack of authentic Indigenous designs in the textile industry. 

MINI TIPI is an Indigenous business created in 2016 by Melanie Bernard and Trish Pitura (members of Nipissing First Nation). This Canadian lifestyle brand blends authentic Indigenous storytelling with sustainable, high-quality textiles. Their products such as blankets and accessories are designed, cut and sewn locally in Quebec, reflecting their commitment to Indigenous culture.

MINI TIPI uses design to weave history into every thread without words. Their mission is to address the lack of authentic Indigenous-designed textiles and how they collaborate with artists through meaningful partnerships and royalty programs. 

Stittsville Rotarians visited the MINI TIPI warehouse in Gatineau, Quebec on February 25, 2026 to see this business in action. www.minitipi.ca

Rotarians are People of Action who work together to make a meaningful difference in their communities and around the world.

"What is Rotary?" The answer is a simple one: “We are people of action who take collective actions that lead to a sustainable difference - globally, locally, and personally”. 1.2M committed volunteers in 45,000 clubs in 120 countries world-wide channel their skills and expertise into actions that improve lives in communities near and far. 

Sustainable Rotary projects in seven different areas of focus solve issues and address such basic needs as providing water and sanitation, protecting the environment, improving maternal & child health, supporting education and more. 

For more information check www.rotary.org. and www.stittsvillerotary.com.      

From January to June 2025, Lionhearts recovered food and household goods valued at $10.3M for re-distribution.

Lionhearts Inc is a charitable organization that facilitates the logistics required for businesses to safely and efficiently donate surplus food and household goods to front-line local agencies who support vulnerable people.

Travis Blackmore, founder of Lionhearts, was guest speaker at the January 6th Stittsville Rotary Club  meeting. He described its development from 2014 when he first thought of reducing waste and supplying much-needed resources in a partnership with Costco in Kingston, ON. Lionhearts expanded to Ottawa in 2017 with a partnership with Cob Bakery and now also operates in London. 

Its success can be measured in numbers: $10.3M of food and household goods were recovered from January to June in 2025. Food and goods from 50 businesses were shared with 177 frontline agencies with the help of 800 volunteers in 3 cities.

Travis gave credit to generous donors, grateful partners and many dedicated volunteers who make it possible to address challenges in food insecurity, nutrition and housing assistance and vocational support. www.lionhearts.ca        

Working with Ottawa residents, organizations and businesses, Ecology Ottawa advocates for more vibrant green space, healthier watersheds, safer streets and stronger action on climate change. 

Founded in 2007, Ecology Ottawa is an environmental conservation & ecological organization in Ottawa. Executive Director William Van Geest was the guest speaker at the meeting of the Stittsville Rotary Club on December 09, 2025.

As the heartbeat of the ecological movement in Ottawa, Ecology Ottawa plans to be an educator, mobilizer, advocate, collaborator, watchdog, and thoughtful agitator. These roles play out across three program streams - Climate, Nature, and People - each of which responds to an ecological crisis. 

Two well-known programs include Food and Habitat for Native Pollinators, and they planted three native pollinator gardens in partnership with community groups. For the past 9 years, Ecology Ottawa has focused on strengthening Ottawa's tree canopy with a tree giveaway initiative, distributing 60,000 native seedlings to over 10,000 Ottawans. 

Check their website: Our Story - Ecology Ottawa