| | Rooted in Community, Growing Through Connection In Anishinaabe teachings, the Grandmother Moon guides us, offering seasonal teachings rooted in care, balance, and relationships. These teachings will guide us throughout the year. As the Waawaaskone Giizis (Flower Moon) rises in May, it marks a season of growth, renewal, and new beginnings. Across many Indigenous teachings, this time of year reflects the return of abundance, a deeper connection to the land, and importance of nurturing what we hope to see flourish in our communities. Across the city, the energy of spring is returning, and at Anishnawbe Health Foundation, we are feeling that same sense of momentum and renewal. The final weeks of May are filled with exciting opportunities to gather, learn and celebrate in community together. From Doors Open Toronto on May 23rd to ongoing conversations around Indigenous health, culture and healing, this season invites people into the space to experience Indigenous led health care, strengthen relationships and deepen understanding through connection and shared experiences. As the season continues to change around us, we are reminded of the importance of community, visibility, and creating spaces where people feel welcomed, supported, and connected. We are grateful to everyone who continues to help strengthen Indigenous led health and wellness in Toronto through their support, advocacy, and engagement. In this month’s newsletter, we invite you to explore what’s happening across our community, reflect on the impact of collective care, and see how connection continues to create meaningful change. Chi Miigwech, Your AHF Team! |
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| Leadership Announcement: Michael Milward Appointed Executive Director of Anishnawbe Health Toronto Anishnawbe Health Toronto (AHT) has officially appointed Michael Milward as Executive Director following a comprehensive national search process led by the Board of Directors. Michael has been serving as Interim Executive Director since September 2024 and now steps into the role permanently as AHT continues to advance Indigenous-led healthcare in Toronto. “It is with humility that I must acknowledge much of my professional and personal growth is attributed to Joe Hester’s mentorship,” shared Michael. “Stepping into this role, I feel a deep sense of responsibility. I am honoured to be the steward of AHT’s vital mission and vision, and to serve the community that relies on us.” We are honoured to continue working alongside Michael and the entire AHT team as we strengthen Indigenous-led healthcare and wellness for Indigenous communities across Toronto and beyond. |
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| | Did you know that.... Last year, the Diabetes Education & Prevention Program supported 196 individual clients through 545 visits and facilitated 104 workshops, and reached 806 community members through culturally grounded education, prevention, and wellness support. |
| | Programs like the Diabetes Education & Prevention Program are possible because of your support. Your gift helps provide culturally grounded health education, wellness programs, and care that empowers Indigenous community members to live healthier lives. |
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| AHF is Launching a New Instagram To better share stories, community impact, Indigenous-led healthcare, healing, and upcoming Foundation initiatives, we’ve launched a new Instagram home for the Anishnawbe Health Foundation. We’d love for you to continue the journey with us over at: @anishnawbehealthfoundation Stories carry culture, connection, resilience, and community across generations, and our story is just beginning. Miigwetch for being here and walking alongside us. We hope you’ll join us on this next chapter |
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| | Celebrating Marian Jacko’s Honorary Doctor of Law Degree AHF extends heartfelt congratulations to Marian Jacko on receiving an honorary Doctor of Law degree from York University. A proud Anishinaabe woman from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Marian is a nationally respected leader in Indigenous justice, child advocacy, and public service. Marian currently serves as Assistant Deputy Attorney General of Ontario’s Indigenous Justice Division, is Chair of the Board of Directors at Anishnawbe Health Toronto, and a valued member of the Anishnawbe Health Foundation Board. Marian made history in 2016 as the first Indigenous woman appointed as Ontario’s Children’s Lawyer after spending nearly two decades with the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. While raising her children as a single mother, she earned three university degrees, including a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto and a Master of Laws from York University. We are honoured to celebrate Marian and this well-deserved recognition of her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to community. |
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| | Less than 1% of online charitable giving in Canada goes to Indigenous Peoples focused charities. (Canada Helps 2026 Giving Report) Make a donation today and help change that. Together, we can grow this percentage and invest in culturally grounded healthcare, healing, and wellness programs for Indigenous Peoples. |
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| | | Upcoming Dates: May 23: Doors Open Toronto Location: 425 Cherry Street Time: Tours are available from 10am to 5pm We are excited to welcome the wider community into Anishnawbe Health Toronto for Doors Open Toronto on May 23. Join us for a day of learning and experience the important work happening within the Health Centre. May 30: Canary District Community Yard Sale Location: Front Street East between Bayview & Cherry Time: 11am to 3pm Stop by and meet the AHF team to learn more about what’s happening at the Foundation. We’re looking forward to connecting with the community, sharing stories, and being part of a fun day in neighborhood. June: National Indigenous History Month National Indigenous History Month is a time to reflect, learn and celebrate the diverse cultures, histories and contributions of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. It is also a time to listen, learn and honor the strength, resilience, and stories that continue to shape communities today. June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate Indigenous culture, language and traditions. Across Turtle Island, many communities will be hosting cultural events, performances, teachings, and gatherings in honour of their traditions and heritage. June 21: Summer Solstice Summer Solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. For many Indigenous communities, it holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning, symbolizing renewal, growth, connection and a new season of life. |
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| | Donor Learning Corner: Honouring Indigenous knowledge, voices and experiences. Book of the month: Theory of Water: Nishnaabe Maps to the Times Ahead by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson In Theory of Water, Simpson reflects on water as a source of life, memory, resistance and connection. Through Indigenous storytelling, personal reflection, and political insight, she explores relationships between land, community, and healing while imagining more sustainable and relational futures grounded in Nishnaabe knowledge. Podcast Pick: Telling Our Twisted Stories: RECONCILIATION This episode explores the ongoing and complex meaning of reconciliation in Canada. Through conversations on truth, accountability, and relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, the episode encourages listeners to reflect on reconciliation not as a destination, but as a continuous process of learning, healing and action. Watch This: Ceremony, Directed by Banchi Hanuse (Nuxalk) Ceremony is a powerful Indigenous film that centers cultural continuity, community, and ceremony through a contemporary lens. The film highlights the strength of Indigenous traditions, and the ongoing responsibility of carrying culture forward across generations to come. |
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| | Connect With Us! Want more frequent updates on the impact of your gifts? Join our online community for daily stories from the Health Centre and teachings on Indigenous culture and ways of being. -
Instagram: Follow us at @anishnawbehealthfoundation for daily cultural teachings, uplifting stories of resilience and health center news -
LinkedIn: Follow us at @Anishnawbe Health Foundation For sector news, healthcare innovation and foundation milestones |
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