Frontline Organizations Serving Indigenous Communities during COVID19
Art by Isaac Murdoch
Last update: April 16
We've been getting a lot of questions about how and where to donate to Indigenous communities during this time. In response, we've compiled a list of frontline organizations serving Indigenous Peoples through COVID19. This list will be updated as additions come in. Please send additions to lindsey@indigenousclimateaction.com
North of the Medicine Line
Friendship Centres serve off-reserve communities. People can get in touch with their local Friendship Centre to see what donations are needed. A map of all the centres can be found here.
The Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto (NWRCT) is providing hampers to the local community.
The Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre (CFNCC) is providing 3 meals/day, supplies and medicines.
The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) is putting together to-go meals for seniors.
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) is providing food hampers in Scarborough.
The Toronto Inuit Association (TIA) is providing food and supplies to the Inuit community in Toronto.
2-Spirits (based in Tkaronto) is giving out food and supplies. They also have a call for support number.
Anishnawbe Health Toronto (AHT) has a program to visit Elders during the pandemic.
The Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy (OAHAS & 2S) is leaving harm reduction supplies in their lobby.
Kilala Lelum (also called Urban Indigenous Health and Healing Co-op) serves urban Indigenous Peoples in Downtown Eastside (DTES) in Vancouver.
Tungasuvvingat Inuit has a food bank for the local Inuit community in Ottawa.
Wabano Centre is continuing to provide medical and mental wellness services to the Indigenous community in Ottawa.
Public fundraiser to help Grassy Narrows First Nation through COVID-19
International Indigenous Youth Council (IIYC) is raising funds to support Indigenous communities impacted by Covid-19, in particular those living on reservations and in rural communities. Funds from this campaign will be distributed directly to individuals and families impacted, with the intent to support the purchase of groceries, baby and childcare products, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, medicine and utilities.
Indigenous Harm Reduction Team (IHRT) on Lekwungen territories is doing work for unhoused folks. Etransfers can go directly to IndigenousHarmReductionTeam@gmail.com.
Donations for nurses in Northern Ontario - nurses in Northern Ontario constantly have to wait for shipments of n95 and surgical masks, and have no face shields. These are communities that are isolated and rely on fly in access for supplies. This all depends on the weather and other unpredictable factors. Any donations will help greatly. Other than hand made masks, useful contributions include empty spray bottles, hand sanitizers, gowns, goggles, lysol wipes, encouraging notes/quotes, treats with a shelf life, coffee, tea, etc. If you are interested please reach out to northerncarepackage2020@gmail.com
Eabametoong First Nation (EFN) confirmed its first case of COVID19 on April 4. To help stop the spread, they are looking for donations of latex/vinyl gloves, masks (N95 or home made), aprons, tyvek suits, sanitizer or anything else you can spare from your supplies in any quantity you feel comfortable with. Email Michael Dellios at md@michaeldellios.com to arrange for a no contact pick-up or drop-off in the Greater Toronto Area. Items will be sent to the Eabametoong off-reserve headquarters on Thunder Bay.
South of the Medicine Line
Trickster Cultural Center in Schaumburg, Illinois is forming a task force to deliver food and hot meals to veterans, elderaly and homebound residents. Anyone interested in helping or donating should contact ginar@trickstergallery.com
Land is Life is supporting Indigenous communities during the pandemic. Regional coordinators are monitoring the situation in each region and informing communities as to how to stay safe. They are also putting together an emergency fund for communities that require medical assistance. For more information, contact Casey Box at casey@landislife.org
Northern Arapaho COVID19 Support Fund is requesting support following their first Tribal member test positive. The community is not prepared for the crisis and has high numbers of diabetic, cancer-afflicted and immunocompromised individuals.
Seventh Generation Fund is raising and mobilizing funds for the Flicker Fund to direct critical resources to the most vulnerable in our already challenged communities. The Flicker Fund provides direct grant support to stressed Indigenous communities on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, where some are already facing issues of hunger, lack of access to water, and unable to secure basic hygiene and material supplies needed for everyday life.
US Research/Health to Tribe PPE and chemical inventory is a group of US-based Native American researchers who saw an unmet need in Indian Country for person protective equipment (PPE) and chemicals associated with routine lab and clinical work. The inventory laid out in the link will allow them as researchers and colleagues throughout the United States an opportunity to directly donate those resources to tribes, corporations, and other Indigenous organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.