The Waaban Chair didn’t begin with a sketch. It began with a question. What if a chair could do more than support proper posture? What if it could support culture, identity, and reconciliation?

That idea took shape when Steven Vanloffeld, founder and CEO of eSupply Canada, set out to create something that had never been done before. To bring this vision forward, Vanloffeld partnered with ergoCentric, Canada’s leader in high-performance ergonomic seating, and Tracey Metallic, a celebrated Mi’gmaq artist from Quebec.

Together, they created the Waaban Chair, named after the Anishinaabemowin word for “the morning light”—a symbol of renewal and new beginnings. Built on ergoCentric’s Canadian designed and manufactured airCentric platform, the Waaban Chair delivers industry-leading ergonomic support backed by The science of sitting and over 35 years of design and engineering expertise.

Featuring original artwork by Metallic, the chair weaves traditional Mi’gmaq motifs into a modern design that brings culture into offices, classrooms, and boardrooms across Canada. For every Waaban Chair sold, $20 is donated to Indspire, a national Indigenous-led charity that supports post-secondary education for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students.

Because sometimes, a chair can be more than a piece of furniture. It can be where change begins.