Nii'kinaaganaa Foundation

Nii’kinaaganaa means we are all related, something like that. And we are, but we are not always good relatives and the history of the colonial west is one of taking rather than sharing. Too often saying that we are all related ignores the very real disparities and consequences of living a world that benefits some at the expense of others. So we are all related, but what about the responsibilities that come with relationship?

It is not enough to say that we live on Indigenous Land, we have to act as if we do.

Naomi Klein spoke those words at a conference in Winnipeg a number of years ago. It is one thing to acknowledge that we all live on Indigenous land, quite another to live as if we do. One thing that those who are not Indigenous to this place can do is pay rent. Through one time or monthly donations you can help to support Indigenous organizers who are building up their communities or confronting injustice. You can provide material support to Indigenous people who are in need. Check out the projects link to see what we are doing across Canada. At this time we are not able to take on additional long term projects, but with your help we will build our capacity to do so.

Pay Your Rent started in July 2018. What began as a one time request for funding assistance on social media so that I could bring menstrual supplies with us to Iqaluit became the online fundraiser Pay Your Rent and although I did not publicize it heavily, it grew and after three years it became the non profit foundation Nii’kinaaganaa.

You can support this work through either one time donations or regular monthly support by becoming a paid subcriber to this newsletter! Paypal and Patreon also offer a monthly subscription, but they take between 2 and 5% in fees which this platform does not.

One time donations can be made through PayPal, or in Canada via electronic transfer to niikinaaganaa@gmail.com.

We are a registered non-profit, which means that unlike charities we are unable to provide you with a tax-deductible receipt. We made this decision so that we would have the widest possible latitude in the organizers that we support. Charities are required to be non-partisan, and so often the work that Indigenous people do to build their communities is considered partisan.

Together we’ve been able to do some great things. Miigwech!