| | Under the Raspberry Moon: A time of growth, change and gratitude As we welcome the beginning of July, let us reflect on the monumental moments that June brought to the foundation!  Early June brought with it the summer sun and enveloped us in a warm sense of community. In June we had the pleasure of celebrating the official opening of the new AHT Health Centre at 425 Cherry Street. We gathered with elders, clients, staff, donors, and partners to celebrate! The new health center stands as a flagship building in the recently built Indigenous Hub of the Canary District, built out of the dire need for a space urban Indigenous people can go for cultural healing, reconnection and renewal. It is a place of honour for our ancestors, preserving the culture and traditions they fought to retain. It was serendipitous that the grand opening took place in June, with the month highlighting National Indigenous History. June was a time to honour the rich histories and cultures of Indigenous people across Turtle Island. It also brought with it, the Strawberry Moon, a time of ripening, gathering and healing in many Indigenous cultures. In June we celebrated the abundance of community, and that community includes you. It is because of donors like yourself that we were able to open the doors to the new health center. Your generosity enables urban Indigenous people to begin or continue on their healing journey, thank you for walking alongside us. As we move into July and welcome the Raspberry Moon, let us remember that this month brings with it opportunities for growth, care, and community. We hope you have time to sit back and enjoy the rest of this newsletter where we will be sharing more from our Executive Director Amelia Pruchnicki, highlights from our Grand Opening, and ways to learn alongside us. There is so much on the horizon for the foundation, and our community, be sure to stay tuned! Chi Miigwech! Brooke Harrison Senior Marketing, Communications and Donor Relations Manager |
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| Grand Opening Highlights: The grand opening of Anishnawbe Health Toronto’s new Health Center represented a milestone in the Foundation's ongoing work and a step forward in reclamation, reconciliation, community care, and self-determined health. We honour the visionaries, partners, and donors who made this Indigenous-led space for health and healing a reality! “It is being called a space of healing, pride and connection”, the CityNews team shared, highlighting the deep cultural and community significance of the centre. We are deeply grateful for the media coverage AHT has received during this celebratory week. These stories help amplify the vision, leadership, and work that brought this centre. The new health centre is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for AHT. At AHF, we remain committed to raising the funds needed to support its ongoing impact, and we are looking forward to your support. Read some of the articles about the grand opening here |
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| | Get to Know Amelia, AHF's New Executive Director: This month we are honored to reintroduce you to Amelia Pruchnicki, our new Executive Director at the Foundation! Amelia brings a unique combination of leadership experience and not-for-profit expertise along with a deep commitment to advancing the mission of improved healthcare accessibility and equity for Indigenous peoples. “I’m honoured and excited to join the Anishnawbe Health family. The work of the Foundation, and the generosity of our donors, are essential to ensure Indigenous people have access to the culturally informed health care offered at Anishnawbe Health Toronto” explained Amelia. “As someone who has been reconnecting with my Indigenous identity and living far from my home community, Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nations, I truly see the life-changing impact Anishnawbe Health Toronto has in regard to reclaiming health, healing and identity.” Boozhoo Amelia, we are thrilled to have you join the AHF team. |
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| | Upcoming Dates: As we enter July, we welcome the Raspberry Moon, a symbol of the heart and connection we have to ourselves and our community. Mark these special times in your calendar as you honour and support Indigenous voices and community. What is the Raspberry Moon: A time in many Indigenous teachings that symbolized nurturing, gathering, and tending to community connections, much like how raspberries grow in clusters. August 9th: International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People: A day to honor and uplift Indigenous communities and cultures around the world, recognizing their contributions, resilience and knowledge. |
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| | Did you know that 16% of the homeless in the GTA are Indigenous, and 90% of the Indigenous population in Toronto live at or below the low income cut off. Your donations give us the power to provide the care and support needed to address the root causes behind these statistics, donate today! |
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| | Community Support: As wildfires and floods continue to displace communities across Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, Anishnawbe Health Toronto is supporting evacuees with culturally grounded care and connection.
Anishnawbe Health Toronto's mobile expansion team, led by Nurse Practitioner Meghan Rule and Registered Nurse Owen Sauve, has been providing primary health services to evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation, Deer Lake First Nation, and Sandy Lake First Nation.
AHT staff also prepared bannock and scone dawgs to share with evacuees, offering not just nourishment, but comfort, familiarity, and a sense of home in this uncertain time. Miigwech to all who have lent a hand during this emergency. These efforts are made possible through collaboration with Ontario Health Services, the Ministry of Health, Non-Insured Health Benefits, Indigenous Services Canada, allied health professionals, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous community health partners. |
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| | Learning Resources: Honouring Indigenous knowledge, voices and experiences Book of the month: The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative by Thomas King This thought-provoking novel explores how stories shape our understanding of Indigenous identity, history and land. From creation stories to personal experiences, historical anecdotes to social injustices, racist propaganda to works of contemporary Native literature, King probes Native culture's deep ties to storytelling. Podcast Pick: Telling Our Twisted Histories Words connect us. Words hurt us. Indigenous histories have been twisted by centuries of colonization. Host Kaniehti:io Horn brings us together to decolonize our minds– one word, one concept, one story at a time. Listen here: Telling Our Twisted Histories | CBC Podcasts | CBC Listen |
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| | Your Support is Vital For over 35 years, Anishnawbe Health Toronto has been a fixture in the city. When you make a gift, you’re helping fund programs and services that are Indigenous developed and led. At the heart of AHT is our Traditional Healers, whose wisdom, ceremony and compassion guide each client on a path of healing rooted in culture, identity and deep connection to community. The health centers dedication to integrating traditional healing practices and cultural preservation is critical to keeping our culture and our people alive not just on reserve but also in urban settings like Toronto. We cannot walk our healing path alone. We need donors like you. Together, we are working towards the common goals of reconciliation and a stronger, healthier urban Indigenous community |
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