Birch Bark Coffee Company got its name from the trees that grow on Birch Island, in the Ontario District of Manitoulin Island, the home of founder Mark Marsolais-Nahwegahbow’s First Nations heritage. A band member of the Whitefish River Nation, Mark is on a mission to make a difference in Indigenous people’s lives, one bag of coffee at a time.
With a background in social services, Indigenous law, entrepreneurship and education, Mark has already made a massive difference in people’s lives, and continues to give his time as a highly accomplished teacher, trauma counsellor and public speaker, inspiring others to believe in themselves and discover their purpose in life.
He’s been recognized for his work on ethical and sustainable business initiatives, winning multiple awards for both entrepreneurship and community service—and in addition to everything Mark has accomplished, Birch Bark is some of the best coffee we’ve ever tasted!
GENUMARK: BIRCH BARK’S TAG LINE IS “COFFEE MAKING DIFFERENCE”. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT? WHAT IS YOUR MISSION WITH BIRCH BARK?
MARK MARSOLAIS-NAHWEGAHBOW: Coffee Making A Difference came to me actually while I was sleeping one night. As an entrepreneur, I do not think we ever stop thinking about ways to better our business. I knew I wanted to have a catchy phrase that would be ‘memorable,’ something that would be meaningful, and something that would make consumers stop and think – not just about the company, but perhaps about themselves making a difference in people’s lives or for the planet. I always dream big and I wanted to see if it was possible to create a company that could actually shift the way people think in a positive way, to pay-it-forward.
My mission – Indigenous people continue to live in third world like conditions, and with Canada considered to be the 3rd richest country in the world, why is it that so many communities suffer from poor water conditions? Birch Bark Coffee Company is out to make a difference in people’s lives. Sustainability, ethical responsibility, and an initiative to bring clean water to communities are our essential goals towards making a social impact.
Birch Bark Coffee Company focuses on bringing awareness, education and aims to tackle ‘All Water Advisories’ not just the long-term boiled advisories. Birch Bark Coffee feels that water is a fundamental human right, and no person should go without clean drinking water. Water is one of the most sacred gifts on Mother Earth and considered medicine in many Indigenous communities. The time for change is now to provide clean drinking water to Indigenous communities and a brighter future for our next generations.
BIRCH BARK GIVES BACK IN SO MANY WAYS! CAN YOU GIVE US GLIMPSE INTO THE LIFE OF A BAG OF COFFEE, FROM THE FAMILIES WHO GROW & HARVEST, TO THE FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE WATER PURIFIERS, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN?
Birch Bark Coffee Company believes that leading by example demonstrates an integral responsibility to the world around us. As a ‘Best Practice’ business, it is our moral obligation to educate and bring awareness – to consumers and other companies, to review their actions to determine the adverse effects they may have on people and our environment.
About our certification – having meaningful labels on our products helps consumers make better-informed decisions for their families and in turn support the very families that grow and produce our coffee. We are proud to provide organic Fairtrade and SPP (Simbolo De Pequenos Productores) Certified coffee. SPP is a label that represents an alliance among organized small producers to build a local and global market that values the identity and the economic, social, cultural and ecological contributions of products from small producers’ organizations. The producers of Birch Bark Coffee are Indigenous descendants and we support both the women and men producers of our coffee ensuring they receive fair trade value for their coffee.
We also have the label Canada Organic that promotes and protects the organic sector and encourages the universal adoption of organic.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE COFFEE AS A WAY TO BRING CLEAN WATER TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES?
Coffee is the 2nd most valued commodity in the world – and besides, we love coffee too, so I thought it was a great way to connect with people/consumers! Coffee has been in First Nations lives for decades. Historically, coffee was referred to as black medicine and was used in the times of trading. And you need good clean water to make coffee happen! When I created the social enterprise in the beginning, I was drinking a coffee, thinking about the water problems and it just seemed to be a good fit.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE CLEAN WATER SYSTEMS YOU PROVIDE? HOW DO THEY GET THE JOB DONE?
Our purification systems use compressed carbon cartridges and coconut shells, so they are biodegradable and washable, which means they’re ethical and sustainable. There are still small plastic parts, but everything is Canadian-made. I was selling bags of coffee, so I needed something that was affordable and user friendly, and these purifiers just connect to the tap and purify the water on the spot.
Two things to note – depending on how severe the issues with the water are, the cartridge needed will vary, and there is much more behind-the-scenes logistics that needs to be done, like water testing, etc. We are always looking at new technologies that will help, and we are excited to announce that we have partnered with ‘Life From Water’ a non-profit organization that has brought water to over 600,000 people in 4 different countries. They wish to help Birch Bark Coffee Co. work on these water advisories on a larger scale, as consultants and engineers. We are very excited to see what we can do together!
WE READ THAT YOU ARE HOPING TO ONE DAY OPEN CAFÉS IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP – HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO THAT GOAL?
Well, I am working collaboratively with George-Brown College, and have an intern who is working on a draft proposal I created that will be another initiative that gives back to the community. That one is a work in progress, but exciting to see where it goes!
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BLENDS. HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE NAMES?
The word Indigenous encompasses 3 nations: First Nation, Inuit and Metis. I wanted coffee names that were inclusive of these nations. Inclusiveness is part of my brand and business model. Each blend has a traditional story behind it that you can read on the bag, and I encourage you to research the stories further, and share with your families. Our coffee is premium coffee, and is all hand-picked with no machines used. We blended our coffee because we wanted people to remember their favourite tastes.
SINCE IT IS PRIDE MONTH, COULD YOU TELL US THE STORY BEHIND THE TWO-SPIRIT COFFEE IN PARTICULAR?
It is about decolonization and revitalization: The two spirit elders and dr. who created the coined phrase Two-Spirit gave their blessing, and helped to create the label.
Two-Spirit (2S) are gifted among all beings because they carry Spirits of both male and female. The Creator allows them to see life through the eyes of both genders, restoring gender fluidity and expression among our people. Traditionally, Two-Spirits were revered and held significant roles as visionaries, healers, medicine people and care-givers. Discrimination must be dismantled and the solution is through education and awareness.
Birch Bark Coffee Company Inc. supports the LGBTQQIP2SAA through collaboration with the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society, a non-profit organization. We raise money to help with education and awareness.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR TIME WITH US TODAY, MARK!
All Birch Bark Coffee bags can be co-branded, or included in kits with their original branding. Ask your Genumark Account Manager about including Birch Bark Coffee in your next project, and supporting clean water, sustainability, and the global Indigenous population.
