Anishnabeg Outreach (AO) is an Indigenous-led incorporated non-profit and registered charity established in 1996. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and led by a First Nations CEO, the organization is dedicated to providing culturally appropriate services that support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (FNIM) individuals in overcoming systemic barriers. AO operates two Centres for Indigenous Healing in Kitchener and Guelph, Ontario, alongside a 17-acre reconciliation farm, Eminidowang Kiitigan, in Breslau. AO’s mission is to build a sustainable and comprehensive suite of centralized wrap-around services for urban Indigenous communities. At AO, we define reconciliation as the intersection of healing and economic independence.
To achieve this, we implement an “upstream” approach focused on disrupting the foster care-to-prison pipeline and transforming it into a “care-to-employment pipeline”. This strategy integrates three core pillars of support: Software-based healing utilizing our AONest platform; Land-based healing with our farm and cultural supports; and Wrap-around services.
One of our key programs is Spirit Bundles – this program has over 600 FNIM families registered and provides bi-weekly pickups of food bundles. Each bundle includes 3 grocery bags; one of fresh produce, one frozen food bag, and one of dry goods. They can also request “top-ups” of items such as cleaning supplies, baby necessities, and hygiene products. In addition to this food support, families and individuals registered with our Spirit Bundle program have access to seasonal programs which include: a back-to-school program where we provide backpacks and school supplies; a halloween program; and a Christmas program where we provide tailor-packed gifts for children/youth between 0-18 years.
