10 months, a dying MacBook, and a breast pump went into our new website

In the last ten months, as she welcomed her daughter Ātea into the world, our Founder transformed our website into a dynamic hub that mirrors our evolving community and business model.

Ātea, the breast pump, and the MacBook clinging on for dear life as the website nears completion.

When Larissa Crawford set out to redesign our website, the task was monumental. Over the last ten months, which overlapped with her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter Ātea Misewa in January, Larissa not only navigated new motherhood but also embarked on a transformative project that reshaped our digital home.

Larissa's love for web design ignited during her university years. Instead of producing typical term papers or PowerPoint presentations, she chose to create websites, teaching herself the craft over more than a decade. Each project was an opportunity to blend aesthetics with functionality, turning academic exercises into engaging, visual stories.

"I had my first daughter while in university, and working and with a full course load mean't I had to work smarter not harder when it came to developing the entrepreneurial skills I knew I'd eventually need. Making school projects an opportunity to teach myself website design and coding was a way I did that, and I'm so glad I did."

it's not a baby, but this website came full-term following the full-term birth of her actual baby, Ātea.

The path to our new website was strewn with challenges. Imagine dedicating over 500 unpaid hours, pushing through six failed grant applications, and contending with the demands of a newborn, all while her Mac desktop completely crashed and MacBook clung to life by a thread. Through battles with anxiety, depression, and doubt, the unwavering support from her partner, Inigo, along with the patience and guidance from newly onboarded Speakers, helped steer the project ahead.

Today, our website stands as a vibrant platform that embodies our core values and mission, affirmed by the several inquiries we've received from Indigenous organizations since launching the site:

I inherited a logo and website that do not reflect this new approach, and my staff mentioned having seen your website and how well-done it was. After taking a look I definitely echo that sentiment, your website is a true inspiration and exactly the direction we need to be heading.

We encourage you to visit and bookmark our site; Speakers are being added monthly! Keep coming back to see how we evolve and to celebrate the diverse voices that are the heartbeat of our community.

Our website was designed to look its best on desktops, tablets, and phones. Once grants are secured, we're excited to make our website completely accessible and available in French.

Looking to book a Speaker? You don’t need a specific Speaker in mind to start the conversation. Just reach out with your needs, and we'll tailor suggestions that align with your vision and goals. For any queries or to discuss your event requirements, you can contact us at speakers@futureancestors.ca.

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