Mikinakoos Needs Your Help to Support Indigenous Newborns
Mikinakoos Children's Fund Launches Campaign to Support Babies in Remote First Nations Communities
To celebrate National Philanthropy Day, Mikinakoos Children's Fund will be raising donations to provide free diapers, formula and other baby supplies to Indigenous families in need across Northern Ontario — and they are asking for Thunder Bay's help to make this campaign a success. In many remote First Nations communities, families struggle to provide the most basic essentials for newborns. The cost of baby supplies such as diapers and formula can be up to four times more than in Southern Ontario, if they are available at all. The same communities often have median household incomes that are half that of the provincial average. Mikinakoos Children's Fund is working to change that. “One of the biggest challenges for Northern Indigenous mothers is being able to afford formula and diapers,” says Alex Fox, a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Coordinator at Sachigo Lake First Nation. “It becomes very stressful for mothers and infants when there's none available at the local stores. These programs are much needed and go a long way.” |
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“No mother should have to ration diapers or baby formula,” says Stephanie Paxton, Executive Director at Mikinakoos. “Being a new mom with a baby at home is tough enough, but the stress and challenges of parenthood are amplified by the poverty and remoteness that so many First Nations families face. By supporting Mikinakoos, you're providing critical assistance to Indigenous babies and parents during one of the most difficult times in parenthood.”
Every $200 raised provides a new mother with diapers, formula and more supplies to help them in the first few months of parenthood. Donors are encouraged to donate online before December 31 to be eligible for a 2025 tax receipt. Paxton adds “We really hope to exceed our $20,000 goal, but we still have a ways to go to get there. Any support is greatly appreciated!”
