Reflecting on 2022 at Anishnawbe Health Foundation
Thank you to all of the donors, partners and volunteers who supported the work of Anishnawbe Health in 2022.
With your support, we were able to accomplish so much in the past year. With our monthly donors, we started our Sweetgrass Reading Circle – where we read and discussed books such as Unreconciled: Family, Truth, and Indigenous Resistance, The Firekeeper’s Daughter, and Five Little Indians. We were especially fortunate to feature special guest appearances from authors Cherie Dimaline and Jesse Wente.
With leading support from Green Shield Canada, the the Wisdom Weavers Storytelling series launched. Featuring Elders and Healers from across Turtle Island, the online series has created a library of eleven teachings to date focused on supporting mental resilience and spiritual health as we come out of the pandemic. To date, these teachings have been accessed more than 8,000 times. Recordings from these sessions are available online at: www.youtube.com/@anishnawbehealthTO
We were able to support 700 clients during the winter solstice through Holiday Hamper deliveries and grocery gift cards for seniors and those with two or more chronic conditions. These packages included grocery gift cards, healthy food, and toys for children and youth during the winter holidays. Thank you to The Rotary Club of Toronto, CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish, Nieuport Aviation, Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers, 24 Good Deeds, Dale’s Pharmacy, and Patty Fleming.
Towards our mission of supporting the reclamation and preservation of Traditional practices, the Foundation has funded increased staff capacity to research Traditional Healing services, ceremonies and medicines at Anishnawbe Health Toronto. The Foundation also completed its fundraising to suppport a Traditional Knowledge Training Program led by Anishnawbe Health Toronto. This support is vital in helping to preserve Traditional knowledge and to strengthening and growing services available to support the Indigenous community into the future. See the article below about Cynthia White’s work in this area.
This past year, construction on the new health center made significant progress. CTV News recently did a feature story on the project that can be viewed here. The final concrete for the roof was poured in December on the Winter Solstice. Work has begun on the exterior walls and the HVAC system has been installed. We are so excited for all of Anishnawbe’s programs and services to be provided in one fully accessible space. The building is set to be completed in late 2023. Be sure to check out our progress on the site’s webcam here.
Once again, we are so grateful to all staff, volunteers, and donors for a great year. We look forward to all that 2023 brings and we hope that you will continue to walk with us on this journey.