top of page
O:se Kenhionhata:tie
Side view of the Willow River Centre building.

Willow River Centre

About

Willow River Centre is an open community space for Indigenous and Racialized, Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ youth and grassroots members. People are welcome to drop in during open hours and public events. The centre hosts Elders visits, feasts, arts markets, galleries, workshops, drumming and much more. Come and see for yourself!

Partially supported by the Region of Waterloo's Upstream Fund as well as other grants and community support through donations. Willow River Centre is both a social and ceremonial gathering space for any Two-Spirit, IndigiQueer, Racialized, LGBTQ+ members and accomplices to come together.

Address

243 King St. E

Kitchener, ON

N2G 2K8

Drop In

Tuesday-Friday

9am-3pm

Come Visit!

Community members are encouraged to book the space as long as they align with the values of anti-racism and queer positivity.

Co-Directors

A person smiling with long hair and black hat with the Six Nations flag on it.
A person with a mohawk stands in front of a tipi
Amy Smoke

they/them

One of the co-founders of O:se Kenhionhata:tie, they are Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River.

They are an IndigiQueer, two-spirit parent, teacher, and community organizer with a goal of creating more space for Black, Indigenous, and racialized voices to gather together.

Bangishimo

they/them

One of the co-founders of O:se Kenhionhata:tie, they are IndigiQueer Anishinaabe originally from Couchiching First Nation on Treaty #3 territory.

They are a community organizer, educator, advocate and photographer, with focus on creating space for communities to come together allowing for Black, Indigenous and racialized voices to be heard.

Centre Support

A person with long hair that has red streaks in th front smiling. They ve a green shirt.
Olivia Maine

they/she

A disabled, IndigiQueer, Néhiyaw (Cree) Métis individual originally from treaty #7 territory. They have resided along the Haldimand tract for the last ten years. 

They are an artist and organizer helping with the day to day running of Willow River Centre, as well as working with the Tionnhekwen Garden during the spring and summer season.

Layout Overview

Willow River Centre has a total of three (3) floors, a spacious courtyard, and three (3) parking spots. Inside is three (3) washrooms, each on a different floor, a kitchen with some small appliances, and an open, accessible first floor. Outside is a fire pit and gate access to the parking spaces behind the building (accessed through Hall's Lane).

Upstairs
Stairs leading up to an entrance
Features

Open floor plan

Small room partially walled off without a door

Small bathroom

Small storage space

Electrical Plugins

Emergency exit at the bottom of the stairs

Open space with sofa and table
Open space looking down stairwashroom to the side
Notes

Only accessible by stairs with no elevator

Door to the roof is to remain locked at all times

Unavailable
Features

Bathroom available

Door separating landing and spacious main room

Emergency exit at the top of the stairs

Some space for item storage

White door with small circle window. Exit sign above.
Notes

Can only be accessed by stairs, no elevator

Small bathroom

Narrow entrance

Dark stairs looking down. Exit to the left
Small landing woth white door to the right.
Smaller open room with bathroom to the  right.
Basement
Available
Courtyard
Under Construction

Fire pit is accessible

Unavailable
Main Floor
Large open th sofas and chairs to one side
Features

Ramp up into the front door

Spacious, open floor plan

Office in the back

Large washroom

Two emergency exits

Sink with cool filtered water

Kettle, dishwasher, fridge, coffee machine, and microwave access in the kitchen

Hallway leading to kitchenette. Bathroom to the right
Wooden door beside stairs.
Notes

Courtyard can be accessed through the kitchen

Bathroom lacks handles

Sharps bin available

Free menstrual products available

Available
Kitchenett showing amenities listed in description
bottom of page