About Us
Our Goal Is To Work With Every Nation In The World
We Are
WHO
Legend shared by: Bill Helin, [WeLaaxumYout]
Raven was sent by the creator of the universe, to redesign the earth after the first great ice age of cleansing. After Mother Earth added the foliage, Raven made all the new animals big and small. Then lastly, he made a Spirit Bear — a symbolic gift of peace and harmony to all creatures of the earth.
Inspired by this story, Spirit Bear Coffee Company was born. Today, products from this quality coffee operation can be found in over 600 locations countrywide. The company, clearly having fun with their brand, sells the likes of “Raven" espresso beans (full of life and strength), “Eagle” medium roast (soaring flavour) and “Frog-Breakfast Blend” light roast (jump start your day).
“We’re certified organic and fair trade,” says Paul Biglin, co-president alongside Sean Harding. “Ten years ago, we were told we would never survive. We fight the big guys all the time. The Tim Hortons and the Starbucks of the world. It’s tough to be an Aboriginal company in a commodity driven market. Tough to get people believing in you. But once they do, they’re fiercely loyal. Now, we have over 50 resorts countrywide on our books.”
Biglin says he gets to travel from coast to coast to meet with different communities. “I meet Cree, Blackfoot, Mohawk people. What I’m learning is amazing. If you’re open minded enough to experience what’s out there, you’ll find we live in an amazing country. We’re always trying to expand our market place and work with other nations. Our goal is to work with every nation in North America."
Founders Of Spirit Bear Coffee Company
Mr. Bill Helin
Bill is a Tsimshian / Norweigan artist, wood carver, jeweler, children’s book writer / illustrator and designer. Bill has focused on the Traditional Tsimshian art of his Fathers ancestry since 1980 and has created thousands of Love Rings and Wearable Art ever since. Some of his accomplishments include designing the patch worn by astronauts on the U.S. space shuttle Columbia in 1996, Astronaut patch for Bob Thirsk his 2011 ISS 6 month mission and the carving of the “world’s largest” (192 foot tall) totem pole known as the Spirit of Lekwammen, carved for the Commonwealth Games in Victoria to symbolize unity amongst all Tribes and Nations of the world.
Mr. Sean Harding
Co-President. Sean, with a Métis heritage, has a 23-year history in world commodity logistics and spent 13 years with Nabob Coffee in warehouse management. He then transitioned into horticulture controls, management, and Greenhouse Supplies. Sean then co-founded Spirit Bear Coffee Company, Canada’s first Indigenous owned and operated coffee company. Spirit Bear Coffee is now a national “super-premium” brand (meaning 100% organic & Fair Trade) serving over 375 locations across Canada to date. Sean then went on to co-found with Paul 1Nation Distribution, a national distribution company. With powerful negotiating skills, Sean’s “Strategic Partners” include the likes of Chrysler Canada. Sean’s most recent successes include negotiating with various First Nation communities encouraging commerce and trade.
Mr. Paul Biglin
Co-President. Paul has over 30 years of experience in Food & Beverage and Marketing Communications with both, retail and direct sales. He also comes with 6 years of public relations experience with an OTC public company. Paul also is the co-founder of Spirit Bear Coffee Company and 1Nation Distribution. Paul began his working career on the farm preparing fruits, veggies, and honey for farmers markets. His love of foods led him into the kitchens in Europe where he returned to Canada as a “City In Guilds” certified Chef. Paul spent the last 13 years of his cooking career owning his own catering firm specializing in events from 100 to 5000. The last 5 of the 13 years he was working with Culinary Team Canada. Paul is responsible for providing executive leadership and management of the Company’s marketing organization and in-bound and out-bound marketing activities worldwide, which include: Corporate marketing, partner/channel marketing, product marketing, and product management. His goal is to position their companies in the various niche markets and as a visionary leader to achieve its revenue goals aka “indigen-omics”, thus sharing the philosophy to our First Nations communities.
Moksgm'ol
THE KERMODE BEAR
OR "SPIRIT BEAR"
The spirit bear is a unique subspecies of the North American black bear in which approximately one in every 10 bears is white or cream-coloured. Some have orange or yellow coloration on their backs. Other Kermodes are all black. The scientific name is Ursus americanus kermodei, named after a naturalist and museum curator named Frances Kermode of the British Columbia Provincial Museum. The term “Spirit Bear” is possibly attributed to First Nations tradition, which held that the white bears were to be revered and protected. Today the Tsimshian people call it “moskgm’ol,” which simply means “white bear.” Kermode bears may have evolved on the coast in the last 10,000 years from black bear stock that became isolated from interior black bears more than 300,000 years ago. The white colour may be due to inheritance of a single gene for hair colour, but other more complex mechanisms may be involved. Further genetic research is needed.
How We Give Back
Friends Of Spirit Bear Coffee Company
Ocean Alliance
Ocean Alliance's mission is to increase public awareness of the importance of whale and ocean health through research and public education. They work with scientific partners to collect a broad spectrum of data on whales and ocean life.
Tens of thousands of whales are killed or injured every year as a direct or indirect result of human activities. The health of ocean ecosystems is tied directly to the health of whales. If we continue to lose whales, the results will be disastrous not just for the oceans, but for our entire planet.
Spirit Bear Coffee Company helps fund the purchase and construction of new drones (called "SnotBots"), expeditions into the field to collect samples, and data analysis and dissemination through the sales of our Orca Dark Roast Coffee.
Too learn more, please visit https://whale.org/
Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Their Mission:
Raincoast is a team of conservationists and scientists empowered by our research to protect the lands, waters and wildlife of coastal British Columbia. We use rigorous, peer-reviewed science and grassroots activism to further our conservation objectives. We call this approach ‘informed advocacy’ and it is unique amongst conservation efforts.
Their Vision:
Our vision for coastal British Columbia is to protect the habitats and resources of umbrella species. We believe this approach will help ensure the survival of all species and ecological processes that exist at different scales.
Their Mandate:
Investigate. Inform. Inspire.
“We Investigate to understand coastal species and processes.”
“We Inform by bringing science to decision makers and communities.”
“We Inspire action to protect wildlife and their wilderness habitats.”
The Spirit Bear Coffee Company is the proud sponsor of the annual “Tracking Raincoast” Publication.
To learn more, please visit www.raincoast.org
Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter
The Northern Lights Wildlife Society is dedicated to give injured and/or orphaned wildlife a second chance at survival.
The Spirit Bear Coffee company has committed funds to care in the Rescue, Rehab, and Release program for the orphaned bear cubs of any species.
We have also committed funds to the purchase of a GPS Collar for the upcoming release of “Clover”, a Kermode Cub (Spirit Bear Cub). This collar will aid in the research of his release and rehabilitation back into his natural homelands. From this we hope to learn many things about his movements, territory, and survival.
To learn more, please visit http://www.wildlifeshelter.com/
Kamloops Wildlife Sanctuary
The Park is home to one male kermode bear named Clover. Clover came to the Park as an orphan cub in 2012.
The British Columbia Wildlife Park is a 106-acre zoo located in Kamloops, British Columbia. The British Columbia Wildlife Park is an accredited member of the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
To learn more, please visit https://www.bcwildlife.org/
Bear Clan Patrol Inc.
It came about as a result of the ongoing need to assume our traditional responsibility to provide security to our Aboriginal community. Given that the Aboriginal population in Winnipeg is anywhere from 60,000 to 80,000, and is heavily concentrated in certain inner city neighborhoods, it was felt that the community must organize to keep the peace and to assist community members.
The concept behind the patrol, then, is community people working with the community to provide personal security in the inner city in a non-threatening, non-violent and supportive way. The Patrol operates out of the Ndinawe Youth Drop In located in the city’s north end.
Too learn more, please visit https://bearclanpatrol.org/
First Nations Snowboard Team
The First Nations Snowboard Team's mission is to improve the quality of life and empower Indigenous youth using the winter sport of snowboarding as a fundamental tool for excellence.
Spirit Bear Coffee Company is committed to work with the team to support the team financially by working with its First Nations customers and stakeholders to donate a portion of coffee sold to the team for the purchase of equipment, world class coaching and passes on the various ski resorts.
Too learn more, please visit https://www.fnst.ca/