By Maxime Morin, Founder of Rose Boréal
Honouring Indigenous Voices, Lands, and Roots
On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, we pause to recognize, listen, and learn. It’s a time to celebrate the richness of Indigenous cultures, languages, and knowledge—but also to reflect on our role in a shared journey of truth, reconciliation, and solidarity.
At Rose Boréal, we believe in nature, slowness, movement, and community as powerful guides toward a more aligned and responsible life. These values echo the ancestral teachings of Indigenous Peoples: to care for the Earth, to live in harmony with it, and to stay connected to something greater than ourselves.
There can be no reconciliation without truth. As a brand born on the unceded territory of Indigenous Nations, we acknowledge the past and ongoing injustices faced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Today is an invitation to listen deeply, educate ourselves, and amplify Indigenous voices and initiatives.
Our commitment to a softer, more just world also involves action: uplifting Indigenous creators, supporting earth-conscious practices, and telling stories with humility rather than appropriation.
In this spirit, I had the honour of sitting down with Isa Gros-Louis, a member of the Huron-Wendat Nation from the Wendake community, a lawyer, advocate, and daughter of the respected Chief Max Gros-Louis. Our exchange was one of memory, meaning, and hope. Here’s what she shared.
Maxime: Isa, could you introduce yourself to those who may not know you?
Isa: "My name is Isa Gros-Louis. I'm from the Huron-Wendat Nation, part of the Wendake community near Quebec City. I was born and raised on the reserve, and I had the great honour of being the daughter of Chief Max Gros-Louis, who led our community for over 30 years."
Maxime: What message would you like to share on this National Indigenous Peoples Day?
Isa: "It's a day to celebrate—but also to reflect. It's important to acknowledge how far we've come, and also to face the painful parts of our history."
Isa reminds us that most of the history we've learned came from a colonial lens. Thanks to years of investigation and testimony, the truth is becoming clearer: residential schools, missing children, forced adoptions, stolen lands, and denied rights.
Isa: "Reconciliation isn’t just a government affair. It starts locally—between you and me. In everyday gestures and honest conversations. We have to learn how to live together, like respectful roommates on this shared land."
Maxime: At Rose Boréal, we value connection to the land. How does this resonate in your culture?
Isa: "We’ve always been caretakers of the land, the water, the animals. Protecting the Earth means protecting our children and future generations. It’s not about confrontation—it’s about collaboration. Moving from 'me or you' to 'us'."
Maxime: Let’s talk about the role of Indigenous women.
Isa: "I come from a matriarchal, matrilineal society. Women were the decision-makers, the lineage holders. Colonization tried to erase that. But today, we’re witnessing a resurgence. There are Indigenous women leaders, lawyers, politicians. I’m a lawyer myself."
Isa: "Yes, it can be heavy to carry. We’re often the go-to voice. But I choose to turn that into a path of transmission. And to celebrate the progress—being consulted now, when once we were ignored."
Maxime: What projects are you currently working on?
Isa: "I'm working on the Max Oné Onti Gros-Louis Cultural Centre in Wendake—a museum to honour my father's legacy and showcase a lifetime of cultural treasures. I’m also writing a book—part history, part personal insight, part allyship guide."
Maxime: A closing thought?
Isa: "Celebration is a form of resistance. It’s an act of opening our hearts, saying: I want to learn. I want to understand. Let’s keep walking together, hand in hand."
Today, we invite you to slow down and listen. Whether through a podcast, a book, a poem, or a local gathering—let this day be a spark for learning and connection.
Ways to Learn and Support
- Attend Indigenous-led events in your community
- Read, watch, and listen to stories by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis voices
- Support Indigenous artists and cultural initiatives
- Celebrate the women, mothers, and leaders who, like Isa, carry strength and wisdom
Thank you for walking this path with us—with open hearts and grounded steps, on this land that unites us all.