Grey Wolf Cafe is more than just a place to enjoy coffee and good food—it's a space built on resilience, culture, and community. Born from my deep desire to honour the past while nurturing the future, this family-owned cafe stands as a testament to healing, identity, and homecoming.

My father's spirit name, Grey Wolf Man, came to him only after he made his journey to the spirit world. I chose to use his name in the cafe's logo to honour him and to bring healing—for myself, for my family, and for our shared identity. My dad, Buddy Clarke, went his entire life without truly knowing who he was. A survivor of Portage Residential School, he carried both pride and pain—a legacy that was passed down to his children but began to heal more fully with his grandchildren.

The cafe's logo, drawn by my daughter, reflects this powerful journey. As my father’s granddaughter, she channels the strength of our lineage into her art. My grandmother, Sara, wasn’t able to raise her children or pass down cultural traditions, language, and identity. Yet, healing continues across generations. My son—Buddy’s great-grandson—is the first in our family to dance powwow, a beautiful symbol of cultural resurgence and renewal.

The opening of Grey Wolf Cafe represents a homecoming—a place of comfort, connection, and celebration. While Dugald, Manitoba, is not our traditional territory, it feels like home. It is here that healing is unfolding, and it is here that I invite others to share in this journey.

Grey Wolf Cafe is more than a cafe. It is a platform for emerging artists, a host for cultural programs, and a gathering space for community events. Every cup poured, every story shared, and every piece of art displayed carries the spirit of resilience and the promise of healing.
I welcome you to Grey Wolf Cafe—where history meets hope, and community finds home.