Help Indigenous Women with Care Packages!

In recent weeks, Canadians have become more aware of the atrocities of the Residential Schools ‘system’. What I learned very quickly is that: 1) The impact of these schools greatly affects Indigenous peoples today, and will for generations to come; 2) Even today, our government is failing to protect Indigenous people in countless ways (e.g. Lack of mental health services, racial discrimination in health care, access to clean water, just to name a few); and finally 3) The education systems for the bulk of Canadians barely severely skimmed the surface about the truth of colonialism in our country; and the residential school system.

What I’ve also learned is that the Indigenous people are Strong. They are Resilient. BUT, they need allies and follow through by the Truth & Reconciliation Commission.

Here in Ottawa (unceded Algonquin territory) there is an incredible organization called the Minwaashin Lodge. “Minwaashin Lodge provides a range of programs and services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children (regardless of status) who are survivors of domestic and other forms of violence, and who may also be suffering the effects of the residential school system. They provide prevention and intervention services and programs for grandmothers, women, children and youth who are survivors of family violence and the residential school system, including those impacted by intergenerational effects.”

The purpose of this fundraiser is to provide personal care supplies (full list below) which will be distributed to the women supported by the services of Minwaashin Lodge. Let's help give them the opportunity to focus more on their healing, and a little less on providing essential care items for their families. 


My ask:

Each care package costs $25. You can choose to donate the amount needed for one care package (or multiple), or simply choose another monetary amount you feel comfortable with. I have sourced these personal care packages to contain as many essential care items as possible, and included full sized items where I could. For the cost of your week’s coffee, you can give an Indigenous woman, mother, grandmother nearly a month of care supplies. Just $5,000 would touch the lives of 200 women! This fundraiser has been organized with the permission of the Minwaashin Lodge. 100% of the funds raised will go towards creating these care packages. Once the funds are received and all of the packages are put together, they will be delivered directly to the Minwaashin Lodge, and the staff will distribute the bags accordingly. I will provide updates along the way so that each of you can be a part of the process.


Each Personal Care Package Includes:

-          Shampoo
-          Conditioner
-          2 toothbrushes
-          Toothpaste
-          Hand Sanitizer
-          Soap
-          Sanitary Napkins
-          Deodorant
-          Q-Tips
-          Vaseline
-          Kleenex
-          Hair Ties
-          Lip Chap
-          Nail Files
-          Mini Medical Kit
-          Package of Gum

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to learn about and donate to this fundraiser. I know the women of Minwaashin Lodge will be so grateful!