Nanahtew is a disabled queer indigenous youth who is recently recovering from houselessness and abusive living situations. At 20 they faced eviction and houselessness after experiencing multiple significant losses in their family, and cutting ties with abusive relatives they were once dependent on. They secured housing just after they turned 21, and have been doing everything they can to recover and return to working so they can continue to live independently. They have tried returning to work multiple times, with their most recent employer suggesting medical leave -- urging them to take more time to recover and find the medical supports they need before seeking employment.

Taking this advice, Nanah had been away from work on medical leave from February 2026 until they were formally laid off in April 2026, just after turning 22. In this time they have sought out extra medical supports, beginning new treatments and receiving formal diagnoses for their disabilities. They are in the process of applying for AISH/ADAP with their care team, but require support with survival expenses like rent, groceries, and medical expenses in the meantime. They do what they can with both their visual and performance art, finding paid opportunities wherever they can to sustain themself.

On Friday July 24th Nanahtew had one of their molar teeth break in half, exposing the still living pulp. This has been making it difficult to eat, drink, and even speak without discomfort. The broken tooth has sharp edges and has been cutting up the inside of their cheek as well. The pain has been extending beyond the mouth, into their jaw and skull causing headaches, worse shoulder and neck pain, and impairing sleep. This is on top of their previously existing chronic pain that they have been working on figuring out and treating with their care team. Because of this new ailment, their general functioning has declined and they are desperate to fix their tooth so they can continue doing what they can to rebuild their life.

Their options for treatment are either extraction, or seeing a specialist for a root canal as the break and decay are too complicated to be treated by a regular dentist. They have been advised it would be best for long term health to get the root canal, as extraction has the potential to later cause issues with their jaw and dental implants can be more expensive over time than a root canal. The quote for a root canal is around $1500CAD out of pocket. Nanah is working on getting CDCP with their care team, but with how debilitating this has been they need treatment ASAP and do not know how long approval will take.

The funds from this gofundme will go directly to Nanahtew's dental expenses such as antibiotics and the root canal itself, or to their other living expenses like rent, food, and medications as they await disability funding. Thank you for taking the time to read Nanah's story, and for your support.