Wuxly Movement Spreads Warmth to First Nation Students Across Northern Ontario

Mikinakoos Children’s Fund is pleased to announce a new partnership with Canadian ethical outerwear company Wuxly Movement, which is donating more than 230 winter parkas to youth from 15 remote First Nations throughout Northwestern Ontario.

The partnership comes in response to challenges around shipping and distributing necessities like food, sporting equipment and winter gear to these remote regions, many of which have no permanent roads in and out.

“Basic necessities like food, and warm, good quality clothing are vital to a young person’s health and ability to thrive,” said founder and director of the Mikinakoos Children’s Fund, James Morris. “Mikinakoos Children’s Fund works to deliver these necessities, and it is even more special when we can source ethically made, local items like these Wuxly coats. These values align well with the traditional teachings of many First Nations.”

Recipients are students of Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS), a program which allows students to remain in their home communities while taking an accredited high school curriculum through a mix of online and in-person learning at satellite locations. KiHS is a partner of Mikinakoos Children’s Fund, a charity supporting children in remote First Nations by providing food, clothing, and other support.

Wuxly’s donation is going to First Nations in regions as far North as Fort Severn – Ontario’s northernmost community – as well as Weagamow, Webequie, Sachigo Lake, Poplar Hill and Fort William First Nations, among others. Wuxly products are made from sustainable, animal-free materials and manufactured in Canada.

“At Wuxly, we put people and the planet first. As part of that promise, we give back to the community whenever possible,” said CEO and Founder James Yurichuk. “When we heard about Mikinakoos and the communities they serve, we knew we could help, giving us great pride that we could share these parkas.”

Shipping food and supplies to remote First Nations is complex and often challenging. Since the start of the pandemic, Mikinakoos saw the cost of delivering food and other goods increase by 400%.

“Access to warm clothing is limited in our small fly-in-only communities,” said KiHS Principal Angela Batsford. “Having clothing to protect students from the cold weather is essential for full participation in land-based activities, which is an important component of the KiHS delivery model. No students should be faced with a barrier to education, whether it occurs inside or outside of the physical classroom.”