ReconciliACTION: Markel Canada is Making a Difference
On a yearly basis Markel Canada, a division of the London-based casualty insurer Markel International, sends out a survey asking their employees “What charity do you want to support this year”? Luckily for the AHF, the employees at Markel Canada unanimously agreed on raising funds for a charity that provides support to the local Indigenous community.
The main reason?
Finding a way to engage in reconciliation.
Maddie Livingston, the Manager of Marketing & Communications at Markel Canada, sat down with the Anishnawbe Health Foundation team to explain why reconciliation and donating to AHF is important to her and her colleagues.
“My colleagues and I have had many conversations on how socioeconomic forces have been impacting the lives of many Indigenous people in Canada. It’s disappointing to see how broken the system is. We decided this year to fundraise for the Anishnawbe Health Foundation as we wanted to support an Indigenous led organization that works with its community to create supports that are critical to the health and wellbeing of their population”.
In 2023 Markel donated $15,000 to AHF which is comprised of both employee-raised funds and was topped off by a large contribution from the organization.
“We raise funds through various internal activities; from hosting an office move furniture auction to our team’s favourite “Gift Card Survivor” challenge. It’s amazing to see the amount of engagement our events receive. Each year we look forward to giving back to the local community and we were so excited to have found The Anishnawbe Health Foundation this year. We know the donation will be put to great use.”– Maddie Livingston
Creating fun, interactive fundraisers is a great way to bond with colleagues, family, and friends. You are united by a common goal and making a positive impact on your community.
Next time your colleagues, friends, or family are looking for a charity to raise funds for, why not follow in Markel Canada’s footsteps. Introduce your community to our organization, and forward our newsletter, start your own journey to reconciliation!
“. . . Reconciliation is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. In order for that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, an acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.
— Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015, p. 6.