The restaurant started as a social-enterprise managed by Classroom Connections and connected to the Change It Up—Entrepreneur program. With the help of our Session 1 students, Nipsis Café transformed the Samson Cree Nation cafeteria into a full-service restaurant, cybercafé and lounge. The newly renovated space in the SCN Band Office also became home to Nipsis Collective—a community gift shop showcasing products from local artists and Maskwacis heritage. 

The space is divided into an 80-seat restaurant (featuring a Paleo diet menu —similar to traditional First Nations diet), plus a coffee/tea lounge with Internet access. An area in the restaurant (theNipsis Collective) provides local artists with a gallery to showcase and sell their work.

The restaurant has now been taken over by two local community members (Matthew and Kevin Crane) who will continue the social mission of Nipsis by offering training in hospitality and service. 

The training is for local high school students via a partnership with  Maskwacis Education Schools Commission (MESC) where high school students gain work experience during the lunch hour.

To become involved or for more information, please contact Matthew at (780) 585-0342 or email [email protected].