The Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest (KILN) started as an Indigenous-led, community-based volunteer organization that was founded in 2013, after the closing of the Friendship Centre. Maureen Buchanan led the way with a vision of families learning their ancestral languages in a safe and nurturing environment. This was achieved using stories, games, and songs.
KILN focused on revitalization of Anishinaabemowin, Kanien’keha and Ininiwan. KILN collaborated with multiple organizations resulting in effective urban language revitalization strategies.
Three grandmothers formed the Board of Directors in 2019 with the vision of incorporating the Nest and becoming a charitable organization. Volunteers helped with the book keeping and legalities. Through a grant, KILN was able to hire their first ever employee to take some of the work off of the shoulders of the volunteers. With the help of the City of Kingston, KILN also began to look for a building to house the Nest.
KILN’s first Annual General meeting was held in 2020 at which time the Board of Directors grew to 5 members. KILN also received funding to hire an Executive Director (ED).
Under the direction of the ED and the board, the nest acquired a building to call home, and in 2023 we applied for and were granted friendship centre status under the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) and became Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest.