The Origin Story of Tipi of Hope: Rooted in Culture and Community

The Tipi of Hope Foundation was founded by Melissa Lundy to address the urgent need for community support and empowerment for Indigenous peoples. Growing up, Melissa was surrounded by the rich traditions of her Métis heritage—stories, songs, and ceremonies that instilled in her a deep sense of pride and responsibility toward her culture. However, she also witnessed firsthand the challenges Indigenous communities faced, including the devastating impacts of colonialism, residential schools, systemic discrimination, and intergenerational trauma. In her conversations with Elders and Survivors across Turtle Island, Melissa learned that many Indigenous people felt unheard and believed that true reconciliation could not be achieved through a singular narrative.

Phyllis Chonkolay, a Dene Tha’ First Nation member and Survivor of Assumption (Hay Lakes) Residential School joined Tipi of Hope’s Indigenous Guidance Circle, a group designed to preserve, protect, and share the wisdom of Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Survivors. Phyllis shares,

“While working with the Circle, I shared my story for the first time. This was the only opportunity where I felt unsilenced and safe. Being able to tell my story, including the ugliness of cultural genocide perpetuated through residential schools, has been uplifting and powerful. What Melissa has created is at the core of cultural and emotional safety while advancing reconciliation in meaningful ways.”

Melissa recognized that real progress required the collective voices of many—acknowledging the pain, understanding the trauma, and working together toward a shared future built on truth, respect, and healing. Through collective storytelling and listening to the voices of Elders and Survivors, Tipi of Hope paves the way for meaningful, sustainable, and transformative reconciliation.

The Circle of Giving- The Underlying Ethos of Tipi of Hope

The Circle of Giving is rooted in Indigenous traditions of reciprocity, community support, and shared responsibility. It emphasizes the belief that when we give, we support others and strengthen ourselves and our communities. This powerful concept underscores the foundation’s work, as each donation, partnership, and act of kindness contributes to a larger vision of healing, empowerment, and unity. As an Indigenous-led charity, Tipi of Hope has developed several impactful programs to uplift Indigenous communities. These programs address immediate needs while fostering long-term healing, empowerment, and well-being, contributing to the larger mission of reconciliation. Read about some of their programs below.

Programs Powering Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation across Canada

Shoes for Hope: Honoring Memory and Empowering Indigenous Peoples

The Shoes for Hope program is a tribute to the children who never returned home from residential schools—children whose lives were stolen and whose stories were silenced for generations. The program symbolizes hope, remembrance, and the ongoing fight for justice by offering shoes to Indigenous peoples. “We saw a need to turn the memorials of shoes placed across Turtle Island into something that everyone could get involved in,” says Melissa. “The program has expanded beyond shoes to include donations of basic needs such as diapers, socks, jackets, and more.”
September Daniels, Youth Adult Outreach Peer Support for the Tsuuti’ina Nation, shared that the donation

“made me feel vulnerable, realizing that this is something we need as people; we need a bridge to be built with others coming in to help us with our healing.”

By connecting Shoes for Hope to the history of residential schools, the program not only honours the memory of lost children but also supports healing and ensures Indigenous people continue to walk forward with pride, resilience, and hope.
Kristen Acuna shared that the donation made a real difference for Métis youth, adding,

“To give a kid confidence, helping a kid get a hand up, to me that’s Truth and Reconciliation.”

Benches for Hope: A Community-based Approach to Reconciliation and Reflection

The Benches for Hope program creates both physical and symbolic spaces for reconciliation and healing. These benches across Canada feature the Tipi of Hope logo and a QR code that invites people to pause, reflect, and connect. “Indigenous peoples are built on deep-rooted values of kinship, shared responsibility, respect for the land, and collective well-being,” says Erin Turnbull, Métis Treasurer for Tipi of Hope. “Each bench is a collaborative effort. Local organizations, schools, businesses, and community groups partner with Tipi of Hope to sponsor and install these benches in accessible public spaces such as schools, hospitals, and parks. This collaborative approach reflects our vision for reconciliation, showing that creating spaces for healing and unity is a collective responsibility.” Their second bench will be placed alongside an undisclosed Cineplex and Intrinsi location later this year. “I am consistently impressed by Tipi of Hope’s unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in advocating for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to create a joint vision of reconciliation,” says Claire Harris, Intrinsi Physiotherapist and Clinic Director. “Melissa has shown an exceptional ability to bring diverse groups together, build partnerships, and drive meaningful change.”

Beading for Hope: Preserving Indigenous Artistic Expression

Beadwork has long been a form of artistic expression, cultural preservation, and community building. The Beading for Hope program is a vital tool in the reconciliation process, as it fosters empathy, trust, and respect among diverse cultural groups. From Indigenous volunteers selling pieces to raise funds for our other programs or working collaboratively alongside schools to teach the art of beading, our program has been seen as a bridge for communication, healing, and collaboration. Through initiatives like Shoes for Hope, Education for Hope, and Benches for Hope, Tipi of Hope exemplifies the principles of the Circle of Giving. By getting involved in these programs, you become part of a community that values collaboration, respect, and the long-term goal of reconciliation.

Get Involved Today: Join the Circle of Giving

Tipi of Hope Foundation offers countless opportunities for you to make a difference. Your involvement is crucial in creating lasting change through donating, volunteering, or raising awareness. By joining Tipi of Hope, you help build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, fostering a shared vision of reconciliation, healing, and unity. Join Tipi of Hope’s Circle of Giving. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

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This article was written by Melissa Lundy, Founder and President of Tipi of Hope.