Raising the Tipi: A Day of Community, Resilience, and Gratitude

Past days at the N.E.S.T., something truly special unfolded.

What began as a day filled with uncertainty transformed into a powerful reminder of what community can create together.

Raising the tipi—something that sounds simple on the surface—became a journey of patience, persistence, and collective spirit. As the saying of the day went: third time’s the charm. And this time… it held.

It almost didn’t happen.

There were moments when it felt like the effort might fall apart. But something deeper carried us through—hands stayed steady, hearts stayed open, and little by little, the vision became reality.

And then… it stood.

A structure, yes—but also a symbol. Of collaboration. Of trust. Of showing up for something larger than ourselves.

We are filled with sincere gratitude for everyone who made this possible.

A special, heartfelt thank you to Jon Lee Rucker, Camille Eroy-Reveles, and Tony Fattorini. Your dedication, leadership, and presence—both in the days leading up to this moment and on the land yesterday—were essential. This would not have happened without you.

And to each person who came offering their gifts—whether through labor, food, encouragement, or simply being there—your presence mattered. You are part of what raised that tipi. You are part of what made the day meaningful.

Moments like these remind us: the NEST is not just a place. It is a living, breathing community.

And yesterday, it rose.🌹