Tóta Ma’s Café

This text was published by the Kahnawà:ke Tourism Office as part of Pow Wow Weekend in Kahnawà:ke, published in our paper version of the June 28th edition.

Tóta Ma’s Café is a social enterprise that was established in July 2018 by Tewatohnhi’saktha -  Kahnawà:ke’s Economic Development Commission and located in the Kanien’kehá:ka Community of Kahnawà:ke.

 Tóta Ma’s Café acts as a training ground for individuals within the community to learn hands-on employability skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution in a real work setting. 

The name Tóta is Kanien'kéha word that refers to a grandmother or grandfather. The original rented location of the Café was the homestead of a local family of whom they referred to their mother/grandmother as Tóta; hence the name Tóta Ma’s Café. The name of the Café also encapsulates the warm and welcoming environment that it strives to create.

The social enterprises also provides a place for entrepreneurs to introduce their products to the public without incurring the overhead cost of a storefront; this exposure helps them to expand their customer base.  If you get a chance to visit Kahnawà:ke, stop in at Tóta Ma’s Café in their new location on Old Malone Highway across from the Knights of Columbus Hall, in the heart of the community.  You can sample some amazing pastries, drinks and daily lunch specials prepared by our Baristas, as well as healthy food options prepared by local entrepreneurs such as smoothie bowls, fresh pressed juices, salads, bowls and much more!