Miskwaadesi Studio was created to fill a gap in Indigenous cultural programming and access to traditional medicines in Richmond Hill Ontario.
Our inclusive programs welcome everyone in the community to take part. We encourage meaningful and respectful connections with Indigenous culture, the land, and one another.
Founder, Sarah Loretta Schuster (Zhaawashkwaa-Giizhigong-Biish-Kwe), is an Anishinaabe community organizer, hand drummer, traditional craft artist, and medicine gardener with maternal ties to Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation in Northwestern Ontario.
As an intergenerational survivor of the Sixties Scoop and an urban Indigenous adoptee, Sarah’s own journey of cultural reconnection inspired the creation of Miskwaadesi Studio. She understands firsthand the challenges of accessing Indigenous teachings and medicines in urban spaces. Learn more about her story here.
This work is made possible by a generous circle of volunteers, both Indigenous and ally community members, who walk alongside with a shared commitment to building a strong and collaborative community.
Made possible through strong partnerships with organizations like Richmond Hill Public Library and the City of Richmond Hill, this collaboration supports local Indigenous culture and community connection. Together, we create vibrant cultural spaces that uplift voices, honour traditions, and nurture healing.
VISION
Miskwaadesi Studio envisions a Richmond Hill where Indigenous culture and teachings are a living, breathing part of the community’s heart.
We see a future where people of all backgrounds come together in respect and curiosity to learn from the land, honour traditional medicines, and build meaningful connections.
Through inclusive cultural spaces and shared stories, Miskwaadesi Studio hopes to strengthen Richmond Hill’s ties to Indigenous heritage and nurture a community grounded in healing, understanding, and belonging.
WHAT WE’RE LED BY
Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel teachings form the foundation of our work at Miskwaadesi Studio, guiding us to honor the wholeness of our communities.
East – New Beginnings & Vision
We open ourselves to new growth and learning.
Like the sunrise, the East teaches us to see with fresh eyes and embrace possibility. We welcome everyone with openness, creating accessible spaces where new connections and understandings can begin.
South – Nurturing & Relationships
The South reminds us of the heart’s power. A place of warmth, kindness, and generosity.
We nurture community by recognizing the strength in our differences. Our work uplifts culture, land, and community by building bridges of understanding through shared experiences.
West – Reflection & Truth
In the West, we find strength through reflection, courage, and truth.
We honour the experiences that shaped our families and communities, including the impacts of colonization, Residential Schools, and the Sixties Scoop. By speaking these truths with care, we acknowledge the ongoing strength it takes to reconnect with culture, community, and self.
North – Wisdom & Responsibility
The North holds the wisdom of ancestors and the responsibility we carry forward for the next seven generations. We commit to sharing knowledge with humility and integrity, uplifting Indigenous voices and honoring diverse experiences. We stand accountable to the truth and to the ongoing work of reconciliation.
The Circle – Unity & Balance
The circle reminds us that everything is connected. Our guiding principles are woven together, like the strands of a sweetgrass braid, supporting balance and wholeness in our community. At Miskwaadesi Studio, we celebrate unity through creativity, cultural revitalization, and shared healing—holding space where everyone belongs and grows together.
