Nipiy did not begin with a beverage.
It began with a little girl, a hand pump and a Kokum who taught that every drop matters.
Every drop has a story
Nipiy did not begin with a beverage. It began with a little girl and a hand pump outside her Kokum's house.
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Childhood
The water pump
My first memory of water is the hand pump outside my Kokum's house. Every bucket began with effort, and water was never wasted. The water itself became my teacher.
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Family trips
The first glacier stream
On drives toward Jasper we stopped at glacier-fed streams. I stepped into the icy water and carried some with me for the rest of the journey.
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Graduation year
The first time I heard the ocean
The moment my feet touched the Pacific, I felt boldness, peace, strength and joy. Water could be gentle and incredibly powerful.
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A lesson in respect
When water became my teacher
At seven I fell from a boat into a lake, until my dad found my bright yellow shirt. Water gives life, and it deserves our deepest respect.
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2025
The day Nipiy was born
A collaborator asked for a custom beverage for a conference. The first flavour was Wild Mint, because it reminded me of my Kokum and her wild mint tea.
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February 17, 2026
Rose Nipiy launches
Rose Nipiy was officially launched at the International Indigenous Tourism Conference, with beautiful feedback for its light, natural floral notes.
Nipiy in numbers
- Flavours inspired by the Four Directions
- 4
- Nipiy products, including Spring Nipiy
- 5
- The year our first flavour, Wild Mint, was poured
- 2025
- Grandfather teachings carried forward
- 7
Water is life. Our first medicine.
It connects us to the land, our ancestors, our communities and the generations yet to come.
Meet our founder
Monique Collins is a Cree Knowledge Keeper and Indigenous Wellness Director with family roots in Peepeekisis Cree Nation on Treaty 4 territory. She lives and works in the Greater Edmonton area on Treaty 6 territory.
She founded Nipiy Beverages Corp. to share Cree teachings through water, and to help bring clean drinking water to every community.
Monique CollinsFounder, Nipiy Beverages Corp.
Our values
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Respect
We honour water, the land, and one another.
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Connection
Everything is connected: people, water, community and future generations.
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Authenticity
We remain true to our Cree teachings and our lived experiences.
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Stewardship
We care for what has been entrusted to us.
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Kindness
Every interaction is an opportunity to leave someone feeling seen and welcomed.
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Purpose
Business is a vehicle for positive change.
Letters to the future
“Help me spread the word by opening people's hearts when they drink you, so they see that Water is Life.”
“You are never too young or too old to find and be guided to your life purpose.”
“When we work together, we can be stronger.”