24 Sep 2025
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The Waaban Chair (Landing Page)

Waaban hero
 

Introducing the Waaban Chair

North America’s first Indigenous-themed, Canadian-made ergonomic office chair.

Built for comfort. Designed with impact. Created to bring Indigenous representation into the spaces where leadership, influence, and innovation take place.

Our Story

The Waaban Chair began with a simple but important question: What does Indigenous representation look like in the spaces where decisions are made?

That question brought eSupply Canada and ergoCentric together in a first-of-its-kind collaboration — blending cultural expression with ergonomic innovation to create something both functional and deeply symbolic.

At its heart is the work of Mi’gmaq artist Tracey Metallic, whose design transforms the Waaban Chair from a piece of office furniture into an expression of identity. Her artwork carries teachings, stories, and the enduring strength of Indigenous culture.

Designed and built entirely in Canada, the Waaban Chair is more than office furniture — it’s a tangible expression of reconciliation.  

Your Impact

Each Waaban Chair sold helps shape the next generation of Indigenous leaders. $20 from every chair is donated to Indspire, a national Indigenous-led charity that supports post-secondary education for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students.

By choosing Waaban, you advance Indigenous procurement, support Indigenous entrepreneurship, showcase Indigenous artistry, and invest in Canadian manufacturing. Every chair sparks conversation, strengthens relationships, drives measurable social impact, and brings Indigenous visibility into the spaces where leadership happens.

 

Ergonomics

Ergonomic comfort — engineered by ergoCentric

The Waaban Chair is a high‑performance ergonomic chair built for comfort and durability. It sits atop ergoCentric’s airCentric™ 2 platform, a proven design known for airflow comfort and full adjustability. The back and seat foam use high‑resilient polyurethane with 66 honeycomb cells to allow continuous airflow. Vents in the back keep you cool during long days.

Key comfort features include:

  • Molded foam cushion: New, softer foam that retains shape and load‑bearing capability even after years of use.
  • Proprietary airflow design: Honeycomb ribs and invisible air holes combine breathability with a clean aesthetic.
  • tCentric armrests: Patent‑pending armrests provide silent, smooth gliding and three levels of adjustability – vertical, lateral and 360° swivel – to maintain a neutral typing or reading position.
  • Infinite back‑height adjustment: Five inches of proprietary adjustment allow you to dial in support precisely.
  • Patented headrest (optional): Three pivot points and seven inches of vertical and horizontal adjustment reduce neck strain.
  • Multiple seat sizes and easy, intuitive control paddles.

Everything about the Waaban Chair is built for real bodies in real workplaces. This is the comfort your back notices after three back‑to‑back meetings.

Design

Indigenous‑inspired design — collaboration with Tracey Metallic

At the heart of the Waaban Chair is the art of Tracey Metallic, a Mi’gmaq artist from Listuguj, Quebec. Her internationally recognized designs blend traditional Mi’gmaq motifs with contemporary style, transforming each chair into a statement of identity and resilience. Every element, from the patterned fabric to the subtle details, serves as a reminder of Indigenous presence.

Even the name Waaban carries deep meaning. Derived from Anishinaabemowin, it means “the dawn” or “morning light.” It symbolizes a shift toward inclusion and hope. Indigenous culture is not peripheral or symbolic; it becomes an integral part of the places where we work and make decisions. The Waaban Chair brings the spirit of a new dawn into the workplace and reminds us that reconciliation and inclusion are daily commitments, not just ideals.

Artist / design
Purpose

Procurement with purpose — supporting Indspire

eSupply Canada’s mission is Procurement with Purpose. The idea is that everyday purchases can create positive change. The Waaban Chair exemplifies this philosophy in action.

Every purchase helps fund scholarships for Indigenous students through Indspire. For every chair sold, eSupply Canada is donating $20 to Indspire — a national Indigenous charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students across Canada. Since 1996, Indspire and its partners have supported more than 84,000 students on their educational journeys.

This aligns with eSupply Canada’s broader Procurement with Purpose initiative, which encourages businesses to redirect everyday spending into actions that build stronger communities and drive reconciliation. The Waaban Chair makes that idea real and practical, one seat at a time.

Indspire / student

What People Are Saying

“The 10-year warranty tells me that these are really good chairs and that they're going to last a long time. I think they would look very good in our office.”

Indspire Team Member

“This chair presents an opportunity to start important conversations in workplaces and offices where some voices have been marginalized.”

Corporate Buyer

“It fits my body ergonomically, is adjustable, and easy to use. It's comfortable on my back, and I feel like I could sit here all day!”

Operations Director

Elevate your office.

Bring Waaban to your boardroom or home office and make a choice that looks good and does good.

 

 

 

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