Reinvigorating Lemoine’s Point: LodgePole Arts Alliance Leads the Way in Environmental Stewardship and Indigenous Sustainability

In 2024, the Community Foundation was pleased to be able to provide a grant to LodgePole Arts Alliance in support of their vision for an Indigenous creative centre. Now, the Alliance is taking a significant step toward environmental stewardship and cultural revitalization with its plans to acquire Lemoine’s Point Farm in Kingston. This initiative aims to protect the land from commercial development while creating a sustainable, publicly accessible Indigenous-led cultural and creative center that will serve as a model for ecological preservation and reconciliation.

Lemoine’s Point Farm, located on the eastern edge of the Dish with One Spoon territory, is a site of immense ecological and historical value. Its old-growth forests, natural shoreline, and existing structures provide the perfect foundation for LodgePole’s vision. The Alliance plans to repurpose the footprints of the current buildings rather than expanding or disturbing the land further. This approach ensures minimal environmental impact while containing the site’s current ecological footprint.

The Alliance’s plans are deeply rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable practices. By collaborating with Indigenous architects and adhering to green building standards, LodgePole intends to nurture and grow an artistic creative center that harmonizes with the natural environment. Seasonal cycles will guide land use and cultural animation, reflecting First Nations methodologies that prioritize balance and reciprocity. Conservation efforts will include reintroducing native plant species, traditional medicines, and heirloom crops, fostering biodiversity and food sovereignty.

LodgePole Arts Alliance has been expressing an interest in being at the table of mediation with the City of Kingston and property owners regarding the purchase of Lemoine’s Point Farm for the past year. The city holds the right of first refusal on the property, which was previously owned by a private individual. Mediation is set to begin in May 2025 to resolve discrepancies between the city’s valuation and an assessment by the property’s beneficiaries. LodgePole has retained legal counsel to ensure its interests are represented during this process. In the interim, the Alliance plans to launch a capital campaign to fund the purchase.

Beyond land preservation, this project envisions creating a hub for arts, education, and community engagement. The center will host artist residencies, workshops, performances, and festivals while integrating sustainable food production models. By protecting Lemoine’s Point from development and fostering ecological renewal, LodgePole Arts Alliance is not only preserving a vital natural space but also creating an inclusive venue where culture and sustainability thrive hand in hand.

This initiative underscores LodgePole’s commitment to environmental leadership and cultural resurgence, offering a blueprint for how communities can balance ecological preservation with creative innovation at a time when Reconciliation and Indigenous Self-Determination should be at the forefront of community conversations, responsibilities, and action.

Learn more by visiting: lodgepolearts.ca