Anishnawbe Health Foundation

Dianna Contin, Bear Clan from Henvey Inlet First Nation, reflects on memories of her late father, David Contin. “My dad was kind, funny and very much loved by his family. I was so proud of him for going back to school in his early 40’s to obtain his Masters of Social Work specifically so he could work with Indigenous children.”  Dianna adds, “He had worked so hard to achieve a traditional lifestyle after surviving the effects of residential school familial trauma. He was the biggest, strongest person I’ve ever known and the irony is not lost on me that he died of heart failure at 50.”

Dianna’s connection to Anishnawbe Health goes back to the early 90’s. “I had first heard about AHT through my dad. He was a client in the 1990’s attending the traditional ceremonies that he dearly missed while being away from his home and family near Pickerel, Ontario.”  After first visiting AHT as a client, Dianna worked at the Health Centre for thirteen years.  And even though she has left to take on new challenges working back in the government sector, AHT has continued to be a special place for Dianna.  She volunteers with the Foundation and has become a donor.

When the Indigenous Peoples’ Landscape Campaign was announced,  Dianna decided to donate in her dad’s memory, “I feel it’s so imperative that a bit of my dad’s legacy can be left as tribute on the Indigenous Peoples’ Landscape. Indigenous health in Canada is critical right now. It is so important that we have a culturally safe, healing and appropriate space for our next generation of Indigenous women and children.” Supporting Indigenous health has become a family affair with Dianna’s daughter Jade recently becoming the top fundraiser for Anishnawbe Health’s participation in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.  Dianna continues, “I know my dad would be so proud of his 11-year old grand-daughter who recently raised $1000 by walking 5 kms in support of Anishnawbe Health Toronto’s new Indigenous hub. If an 11-year old Indigenous girl can achieve this by walking, just wait until she can fly!”

To find out more about how you can make a gift-in-tribute to the Indigenous Peoples’ Landscape, please visit www.supportanishnawbe.ca/indigenous-peoples-landscape