In the spirit of collaboration and exploration, the WeMaple team participated in a unique and inspiring workshop led by renowned filmmaker and content creator Cowboy Smith X.
Grounded in Indigenous practices, the workshop was designed to spark meaningful and creative brainstorming for future projects. It offered participants an enlightening and transformative experience, providing insights and perspectives that are often overlooked.
The workshop unfolded in a dynamic space where participants explored connections between keywords and foundational themes, including business, science, culture, and other areas of inspiration. Anchored by coordinates mapped on the floor, the exercise reflected essential elements of nature, directions, and seasons. Using this framework, participants dropped keywords at random, prompting imaginative associations: story plots, thematic connections, and even conflicts.
This practice served as a method of mining raw, unfiltered ideas—a pure creative generation rooted in fundamental values that shape our lives and stories. It encouraged participants to tap into what motivates and inspires them.
Set within the context of cultural alignment, the workshop invited reflection on Indigenous values that emphasize being present, respecting nature, and recognizing our interconnectedness with the earth. It served as a reminder of the importance of honouring these principles, which not only influence us but also provide structure and meaning in our creative processes.
“WeMaple Season 3 started with this process to ground us to this land,” states WeMaple founder Matt Keay. “We’re constantly learning and leaning into the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina, Nakoda Métis and others who all make their homes in the Treaty 7 here in Southern Alberta.”
With renewed passion and a deeper understanding, WeMaple is excited to weave this knowledge into its work, creating projects that are grounded in purpose, creativity, and authenticity.
