A PARTNERSHIP GROUNDED IN TRUST, INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP, AND A SHARED BELIEF THAT HEALING CAN HAPPEN IN MANY FORMS

When Alex Krawczyk, Founder of the Krawczyk Family Foundation, first connected with Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin, the Youth & Family Wellness Camp was still a vision. Today, she has watched that vision become a vibrant place where children and families gather for baseball, equine programming, cultural teachings, learning, laughter and connection. “What struck me immediately was how genuine the team was, and how deeply rooted in community they are. I was also impressed by the leadership’s ability to organize and bring their bold vision forward,” she said.

In December 2024, the Krawczyk Family Foundation made its first gift to support the Youth & Family Wellness Camp, beginning a four-year commitment to help bring that vision to life.

Healing Takes Many Forms

Alex’s belief in the vision is informed by decades of work in nursing, Indigenous health, and public health, and is inspired by her late parents’ lifelong commitment to healthcare and community development. Her experiences have shaped her belief that healing extends beyond hospitals and clinics. “Healing is multifaceted. Hospital-based and clinic-based care are important, but healing is also emotional and spiritual,” she said.

For Alex, that belief is reflected in Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin’s vision: Indigenous-led spaces for healing, created by and for community, where people can reconnect with themselves, one another and the land. She experienced that connection during a visit to camp. She watched the equine therapy program, saw young people playing as two eagles circled overhead, and was welcomed into an Elders’ teaching lodge.

She also saw the future home of the Krawczyk Family Equine Centre, a space dedicated to equine-assisted healing and connection for children, youth and families. Together with the Honey Bear Healing Garden, the two spaces reflect a shared commitment to creating places where healing can happen through nature, relationships and community.

At a lookout overlooking the water, the team invited Alex to name an outdoor classroom. She chose the Honey Bear Healing Garden, in memory of her late parents, Honey and Dr. Barry Sherman. “It was deeply meaningful as I am still grieving the loss of my parents and their presence in my life, and it allowed me to bring them into that space,” she said.  “I am also healing on this journey with Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin.”

Trusting Indigenous Leadership

For Alex, meaningful philanthropy begins with trust. “Getting involved early is essential,” she said. Alex believes donors have an important role to play in helping Indigenous-led organizations bring their visions to life—but that role is to support, not direct. “It is not my role to decide whether horses matter more than baseball, or a Healer more than a social worker. Our partners are the leaders. They have done the research,” said Alex.

Rather than prescribing solutions, Alex believes philanthropy should remove barriers and walk alongside community leaders as they bring their vision forward. She also hopes this partnership becomes an example for others. “Our hope is that by talking about our partnerships with Indigenous-led organizations, we will encourage other foundations and philanthropists to develop partnerships and walk alongside Indigenous-led organizations in a similar way,” she said. “When good partners come together, beautiful and important things take root. Sometimes one plus one equals far more than two”

The Power of Joy

The vision is now real—from the Honey Bear Healing Garden to the soon-to-open Krawczyk Family Equine Centre. Alex loves hearing stories of “the sparkle coming back to someone’s eyes when a horse nudges them, or when they meet the very friendly chickens in the barn.” These spaces, she said, “Are bringing hope and light to many people, and they carry a message that healing and wellbeing are possible.”

And what does she hope children, youth and families experience? “Joy! Laughter, safety, connection, community, delicious food, baseball games that bring people together, learning new skills and trying new things,” said Alex.

“When you are in pain, discovering that you can feel joy again is powerful. I hope everyone who visits feels safe, feels joy, and leaves feeling inspired.”

Looking ahead, Alex hopes the camp continues to grow, inspires other communities across Turtle Island, and encourages more foundations and philanthropists to build trusted, long-term partnerships with Indigenous-led organizations. “I hope this is just the beginning, and that the camp becomes a model other communities can learn from and replicate across Turtle Island,” said Alex. “There are so many ideas still to grow.”