LIGHTNING DAWN HOCKEY SCHOLARSHIP LAUNCH
True North Aid is excited to help provide scholarships for youth in Enoch First Nation, Alberta who will participate in the Lightning Dawn Development Program powered by Om Hockey Systems. Lightning Dawn aims to take advantage of paradigm shifting, revolutionary hockey training methods to give Indigenous youth an unparalleled opportunity to rapidly develop their ability to play hockey. Through this, Lightning Dawn aims to uplift First Nations youth through the many benefits that come with this program such as increased self worth, self confidence, discipline and leadership skills and ability. This program is set to take place this winter in Enoch First Nation in Alberta. To learn more and to donate, CLICK HERE!
FRIENDS OF THE NORTH MISIWAY PREPARE PALLETS FOR FIRST NATIONS IN MANITOBA
The Friends of the North Misiway team has been busy preparing pallets of gently used, quality clothing, locally made masks and household items which will be sent to remote communities in Manitoba. Many thanks to Glenn and his team at Capital Movers for his generous support. Handmade masks were also sent to James Bay coastal communities and were greatly appreciated!
JOIN US WITH SUPPORTING MORE COMMUNITIES WITH FLOUR
In June, True North Aid was able to provide over 20,000 pounds of corn flour to several food distribution centers supporting First Nation communities in Ontario and Manitoba. We have plans purchase 15 pallets of flour in the coming weeks from Prairie Flour Mills in Manitoba. If your community is in this area and would like flour shipped to your community, APPLY HERE.
SUPPORTING THE BEAR CLAN IN KENORA
True North Aid is so happy to be able to begin supporting the Bear Clan in Kenora with various initiatives. The Bear Clan provides a community-based solution to crime prevention and is about building relationships to marginalized individuals living on the streets and helping them find the supports through various programs. To learn more about the Bear Clan and their mission, CLICK HERE. Stay tuned for more details on how to support this amazing group!
GRACO DONATES BABY TRANSPORTATION SUPPLIES
Last month, a company representing Graco baby products, reached out to True North Aid to provide a extremely generous donation of car seats, strollers and carriers for our Maamiikiwe project in Sioux Lookout. These items are essential and can be very costly especially for new moms living in northern and remote communities. As part of the Maamiikiwe project, staff from several programs at Meno Ya Win Centre will distribute this critical item to families needing them the most.
BACKPACKS FOR YOUTH IN TWO NORTHERN COMMUNITIES
True North Aid is supporting two more remote and northern communities with backpack requests in Manitoba. With the support of Strini Reddy from Rotary “Honoring Indigenous Peoples” in Winnipeg, and Pauingassi First Nation member Gerald Neufeld, True North Aid plans to send over 350 backpacks filled with school supplies to youth living in Little Grand Rapids and Pauingassi First Nations. Please consider donating so that we can fulfill this request.
SOFT BALL EQUIPMENT DRIVE FOR NORTHERN MANITOBA
With the COVID-19 pandemic, many remote First Nation communities have summer programming that has been cancelled. With school on hold for many, this is expected to continue. To help the community create its own programs, True North Aid and the Shaw family in Oakville held a collection for softball equipment to donate to several remote communities. Many gloves, bats and other equipment was collected. Thank you to all who donated, and Ally Cooper for helping to organize.
SUPPORTING KIIZHIK SCHOOL FOR A SECOND YEAR
For its second year in a row, True North Aid will be supporting the Gaagakiizhik School in Kenora. We wil be providing two shipping containers to store the donated bicycles and provide a workstation for repairs. This is phase 1 of the project with hopes to purchase more bicycles to support physical education and other programming. This will give students the opportunity to develop skills to make their own workshop to build and repair bicycles. $8000 is needed to make this happen – please consider donating!
PALLETS ON THEIR WAY TO NUNAVUT AND NORTHERN ONTARIO
Thanks to Wendy Hagar from Sew on Fire Ministries and Trucks for Change Network for helping to send several pallets of critical care items, including personal protective equipment, baby supplies and more are headed to three separate locations: Sioux Lookout to support the Maamiikiwe Project, Eabametoong First Nation and Iqaluit, Nunavut. Stay tuned for photos!
PIN SALES SUPPORT MOON TIME SISTERS ONTARIO
Moon Time Sisters Ontario was chosen as the recipient of 50% of all sales of the menstrual pin from Mini Escape Goat company. $8 from each sale goes directly to support Moon Time Sisters Ontario initiatives to provide women and girls living in northern communities with access to menstrual supplies.
OUR YEAR IN REVIEW IS NOW ON OUR WEBSITE!
On June 11th, True North Aid held their Annual Year-In- Review meeting via Zoom. Our national director, staff and project leaders gave reports on the past year and upcoming projects for 2020 and beyond. If you missed it, you can watch the meeting on our website.