Support vital Indigenous organizations in Canada | Charity Gift Guide

The holiday season is about community and giving, and that’s why it’s the perfect time to talk about supporting important Indigenous organizations across the country.

Throughout the year these vital organizations are working through education, mentorships, and outreach programs to inspire and support Indigenous communities in Canada. Read more about them below, and visit their websites t find out how you can support their work.

Indian Residential School Survivors Society has been working for twenty years to help Residential school survivors and their descendants with community education, and other services, including litigation. Their primary goal is to provide physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual growth, development, and healing through culturally-based values and guiding principles for Survivors, Families, and Communities. Donate now.

Water First is working to help solve the water crisis in Indigenous communities, with programs focused on building strong partnerships and creating lasting results in collaboration with Indigenous communities. With education and skills training, their goal is to sustain access to clean water, while also improving water quality and giving communities opportunities to manage their own land. Donate now.

Native Women’s Association of Canada is a “Grandmother’s Lodge” made up of 13 women’s organizations across Canada, with a goal of enhancing, promoting, and fostering the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women. The organization is working to collectively recognize, respect, promote, defend and enhance Native ancestral laws, spiritual beliefs, language, and traditions. NWAC provides Indigenous skills and employment training, scholarships and bursaries, and supports health initiatives, violence prevention, and safety. Donate now.

Indspire is a national registered charity that’s investing in education for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, with a vision of enriching Canada through Indigenous education and by inspiring achievement. The organization works with Indigenous, private, and public sector stakeholders through scholarships, mentorship, and research. Indspire was also named as a Top 10 Canadian Impact Charity by Charity Intelligence two years in a row. Donate now.

Reconcilliation Canada is dedicated to creating dialogue and transformative experiences to revitalize the relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. The organization’s model for reconciliation engages people in open and honest conversation to understand the diverse histories and experiences in this country and actively engage multi-faith and multi-cultural communities to explore the meaning of reconciliation. Reconciliation Canada provides outreach programs, events, and action plans as part of their work. Donate now.

Also consider learning more and donating to these other important organizations: Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canadian Roots Exchange, Legacy Of Hope Foundation, and Oneida.