how to best help First Nations kids/families?
February 24, 2017 6:50 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for the most bang-for-buck way to help people in Canada. I'm looking for ways to channel my feelings of fear and rage into positive action.
I vaguely remember an initiative from a few years ago where you could send toiletries/groceries to arctic communities where food prices are astronomical. I just discovered the Liberation Library, which provides books to kids in jail.
I've sent supplies to Standing Rock, donated to the ACLU and Planned Parenthood in the U.S., and I'd like to put my resources to work in my home country as well. So: charities/projects addressing literacy/food security/representation/resisting fascism/protecting the environment. Point me at the good guys, please.
I vaguely remember an initiative from a few years ago where you could send toiletries/groceries to arctic communities where food prices are astronomical. I just discovered the Liberation Library, which provides books to kids in jail.
I've sent supplies to Standing Rock, donated to the ACLU and Planned Parenthood in the U.S., and I'd like to put my resources to work in my home country as well. So: charities/projects addressing literacy/food security/representation/resisting fascism/protecting the environment. Point me at the good guys, please.
Not firsthand knowledge as I'm an urban planning student who primarily studies U.S. cases, but Vancouver's Downtown Eastside has a very high percentage of First Nations residents, including people living on the streets or in precarious housing situations. I'll ask my colleague who is from Vancouver for suggestions, but some organizations to start you off
Aboriginal Health Services https://www.phs.ca/index.php/project/aboriginal-services/
Vancouver Native Health Society http://www.vnhs.net/
posted by spamandkimchi at 11:38 PM on February 24, 2017
Aboriginal Health Services https://www.phs.ca/index.php/project/aboriginal-services/
Vancouver Native Health Society http://www.vnhs.net/
posted by spamandkimchi at 11:38 PM on February 24, 2017
Best answer: The Caring Society is an extremely effective organization. They lead the campaign for Shannen's Dream and Jordan's principle, as well as the recent Human Rights Tribunal ruling ending discrimination in family services.
posted by mikek at 4:14 PM on February 25, 2017
posted by mikek at 4:14 PM on February 25, 2017
Best answer: This is a question I struggle with a lot too because there are so many different aspects of what could be donated towards that it's hard to figure out where to focus.
I donate to the local Indigenous Women's Shelter in my neighbourhood as well as the local Friendship Centre. I particularly think the first one is important because a lack of support networks is a contributor to MMIW. The Friendship Centre is important too because it can be a cultural hub within a settler city for Indigenous peoples to go to and they typically have many useful programs for their clients.
posted by urbanlenny at 4:26 PM on February 25, 2017
I donate to the local Indigenous Women's Shelter in my neighbourhood as well as the local Friendship Centre. I particularly think the first one is important because a lack of support networks is a contributor to MMIW. The Friendship Centre is important too because it can be a cultural hub within a settler city for Indigenous peoples to go to and they typically have many useful programs for their clients.
posted by urbanlenny at 4:26 PM on February 25, 2017
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posted by lizifer at 6:51 PM on February 24, 2017