In Ojibwe, “Waabooz” means the snowshoe hare — a small, watchful being known for its quiet ways and ability to disappear into the winter landscape. As snow covers the forests and lakes of the Great Lakes region, Waabooz’s fur turns white, reminding us how life adapts in subtle, beautiful ways to the changing world.
For generations, stories of Waabooz have been shared by the fire as gentle teachings about patience, resourcefulness, and living in harmony with nature’s rhythms. The hare moves softly, listens deeply, and finds warmth even in the coldest season — a quiet guide for how we might care for one another through long winters.
At Waabooz Café, we honor this spirit by crafting each drink with care and slowing down to savor the warmth of good company. Next time you visit for your Manoomin Mocha or Sweetgrass Cold Brew, take a moment to think of Waabooz — moving carefully under moonlit snow, a symbol of the stories that keep us connected to the land and to each other.
Adapted in spirit from teachings shared by respected Ojibwe storytellers, including Basil Johnston.