Best Charities for Indigenous People and Communities in Canada

Charities that support the causes of indigenous people are essential in the uplifting of this diverse and important sector of our society. In fact, when one acquaints themselves with the various activities of indigenous charities, some of their coordinated efforts with the government, and their widespread reach in indigenous communities, it can be argued that they are important for the very survival of the indigenous people. It is thus very crucial for them to be identified and given an always welcome helping hand, now and then, so that they can carry out their various functions effectively.

In this article, we list ten of the best charities in Canada that you can consider donating to that support various causes in indigenous communities.

Water First

Water First was founded in 2009 with a focus in Uganda. They began working with First Nations communities in Canada in 2012, after being challenged and inspired on numerous occasions about why they weren’t working with communities here in Canada experiencing water challenges. To date, Water First has collaborated with First Nations, Indigenous, and Métis communities in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Labrador to address water challenges through education and training.  We like them for the singular focus on water, and the fact they changed their mission to a local first focus after realizing the problems that exist locally.

Raven Trust

Ravens Trust is a justice led, advocacy based organization. Supporting the inherent and constitutionally-protected rights of Indigenous Peoples is a powerful pathway towards reconciliation and environmental justice.  They are registered charity both in Canada and the US.  We like them for their justice focus.

Honoring Indigenous People

Honoring Indigenous People is another charity aimed at fostering better relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. Its focus is on creating a collaborative environment where all people can work together in creating a more tranquil future for everyone.

This Rotarian Organization also drives educational efforts bent on teaching Canadian communities, indigenous or not, about the history of the first people. This includes producing shows, publishing books or articles, and other forms of communication media that tell people about the history and traditions of The First People. They also help raise awareness about racism.

True North Aid

True North Aid is dedicated to serving and supporting northern Indigenous communities in Canada through practical humanitarian support. With more than 60 per cent of Indigenous children living below the poverty line, there is much work to be done. The issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada are complex and are the result of many things that have transpired over the past 150 years. True North Aid believes that self-governance and self-determination is key to closing the poverty gap.

Canadian Roots Exchange

Canadian Roots Exchange is all about fostering good relationships between non-indigenous and indigenous youths. Friendships between these two core groups are leveraged to create a wider more united community. The charity conducts workshops and leadership programs and encourages dialogue between participants.

The charity’s other focal point is on educating the community about not only the First Peoples history and culture but also their grievances, and how non-indigenous and indigenous people can meet halfway to create a society where no-one feels disaffected. They also have a Justice Program that aims not only to instill confidence in the justice system but provide support for incarcerated indigenous youths.

Indigenous Neighbours Program

This charity focuses on bringing together indigenous and non-indigenous people. The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Indigenous Neighbours Program uses various ways to spread its message of healing and reconciliation between the two groups, including workshops, leadership programs, and online courses among other platforms.

In times of disaster and strife, they also provide affected indigenous communities with aid through their various organs.

They also equip the First People with skills that can improve their socio-economic situation and advocate for indigenous people’s rights by engaging legislators. 

All programs are developed with guidance from indigenous people.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

As suggested by the name this charity advances the interest of the 65 000 Inuit folk scattered across the four Inuit regions of Canada. The charity helps communicate Inuit community grievances to the crown and federal government and carries out research on Inuit related issues for various agencies.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami also runs many educational programs and workshops that seek to inform Canadians about the history and culture of the Inuit and engage the legislature to find solutions for issues that affect them like racism and territorial issues.

Above all, they seek to keep the Inuit people connected wherever they may be through a shared sense of political and cultural identity.

Kochita

Kochita, a Cree word meaning; to reach someone or something, is reaching out to foundations, corporations, and individuals for support to deliver programs that help Indigenous youth. Reach out today to learn how you can help Indigenous youth reach their career potential through grants, sponsorships and donations.  They have changed their name and used to be called Aboriginal Human Resource Council.  We like them for the focus on youth.

INDSPIRE

Indspire is committed to improving the outcomes of Indigenous education in Canada, through our innovative programs to students from K-12 through post-secondary education. Through its Building Brighter Futures program. We like them because of their focus on education and youth.

Circle Acts also likes:

The Native Women’s Association of Canada

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is a highly influential organization whose core aim is to advocate for native women’s rights in society. This National Aboriginal Organization is particularly important as it also helps raise awareness on various issues like native women’s LGBTQ+  and reproductive rights, which still lack enough representation in non-governmental circles. 

This organization is especially famous for being one of the loudest voices in raising awareness of the nationwide scourge that is the murders, forced disappearances, and trafficking of native women in Canada, using their political strength in political and legislative circles to help create a safer society for indigenous women.    This is a non profit not a charity and any donations made are not tax deductible in Canada.

Not Just Tourists

The First People have a diverse and rich culture that attracts people from all corners of the world to Canada. The Not Just Tourists non-governmental organization seeks to leverage this situation by encouraging travelers to bring suitcases filled with medical supplies that the charity can then try to donate to hospitals and clinics in the areas where tourists will visit. Often, these are areas where the inhabitants can’t afford basic medical supplies like bandages and over-the-counter medicine.

Indigenous communities located in the northern parts of the country have especially benefited from the Not Just Tourists initiative.

Habitat for Humanity Canada

Poor housing is a big problem in almost all Canadian communities, but it is particularly endemic in indigenous communities. According to the United Nations, indigenous people have disproportionately abhorrent living conditions that too often violate the right to adequate housing. Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Indigenous Housing Partnership aims to bring dignity to the First People by helping them secure affordable housing that is safe and decent.

 For sustainability, the Habitat for Humanity Indigenous Housing Partnership also helps young people in indigenous communities attain skills that they can use to maintain or build decent accommodation.

Sew on Fire Ministries

This Ontario based ministry is a good example of how churches can use their influence to help better the lives of surrounding communities. It sends help to people all over the world in the form of humanitarian aid, blankets, toys, and custom-made clothes. But of course, charity begins at home, so the ministry is also active within Canada, particularly in indigenous communities.

Sew on Fire Ministries has donated clothing items and Diapers to First People birthing centers and has a presence in indigenous youth circles where it teaches empowering skills, mainly, you guessed right, crocheting and knitting.

Indigenous Awareness Canada

Teaching indigenous and non-indigenous people about the histories and cultures of the First People is the core focus of Indigenous Awareness Canada. The charity also teaches communities about First People’s rights and raises awareness of their concerns. It makes use of in-person workshops and leverages the internet to provide online courses and, in the end, provides certification for participants.

Reconciliation is also a major theme in this charity’s work. Most of the workshops are geared towards creating collaborative environments between non-indigenous and indigenous people. The charity is also influential politically and oftentimes engages the legislature about various issues affecting the First People. 

I Love First Peoples

Charities that work with youths and children from indigenous communities like I Love First Peoples are crucial for the wider development of the First People. Compared to the non-Indigenous population, the Indigenous population is younger, growing faster, and more likely to be rural-based.

I Love First People seeks to take advantage of this fact by empowering indigenous children with education and other important skills that they can then use to improve their socio-economic standing and drive growth in their respective communities in the near future. The charity also works on bridging gaps between non-indigenous people and indigenous people by promoting symbiotic relationships between the two sections of society.    I Love First Peoples are not yet accepting donations, but will in February.  Circle Acts like them for their potential.