| Haida Gwaii Non-Profits: In the Giving Spirit |
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| Written by Lin Armstrong |
| 01 December 2023 |
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As we are fast approaching the Holiday Season, the societies spotlighted here all offer programs/services that meet the basic needs of the people on Haida Gwaii by focusing on food, housing, charity and wellness. Please consider donating to these local organizations when you are making out your gift list. Daajing Giids Thrift Shop Society (DGTSS) Since 1975, the focus con-tinues to be collecting donated gently used clothing and household items sorted by volunteers and offered for sale at 206 2nd Avenue, DG. Items are sold individually or in bulk in $5, $10 and $15 bags. After paying operating costs, around $15,000 per year is donated back to Haida Gwaii communities including Hospital Day, the two island Food Banks, Christmas Drives, Island schools’ food programs, plus $5,500 and 250 five-dollar coupons donated to food hampers in Decem-ber. How to help: Anyone interested in volunteering can call Joan at 250-559-4568. Comments and questions can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Monetary donations to the DGTSS can be made in cash or by cheque at the shop or to Box 387 Daajing Giids, V0T 1S0. Haida Gwaii Society for Community Peace provides temporary, secure housing and supportive services, referrals, group and individual counselling. The Society has multiple Community Living BC inclusion programs that offer recreational and social support for adults with developmental disabilities. The Transition House Outreach Program includes accompaniment and transportation services for Transition House residents, education and consultation with community agencies. How to help: You can donate clothing, food or money. A cheque can be emailed to HGSCP Box 811 Masset, BC V0T 1M0 or you can contact the finance department at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to find out how to e-transfer for a tax receipt. Call 250-626-4664.
Along with the Feed the People food bank initiative, the IWS offers programs of service including a Child Care Resource and Referral Program (CCRR), Child and Youth Counselling, Victim Services and Women’s Counselling, a lending library and an annual bursary. Offices located at 204 Oceanview Drive in DG. How to help: Monthly IWS donations via e-transfers can be set up to continue to support programs like the food bank. Tax receipts are available. For further information and/or to volunteer call 250-559-4743. Niislaa Naay Healing/House Society, is located at 347 Eagle Rd., Box 176, Gaw Tlagée.The Society offers Traditional wellness, mental wellness, midwifery care to those in the north of Haida Gwaii, women’s programs and guidance on their healing journey, connecting to Xaadaa Cultural values and plant medicine, men’s health, community and maternal health, home care, youth services, dentistry, patient travel and hosts visiting specialists. Tl’aa gyaahlang-daang is Xaad Kil story and song time for babies, young children and their caregivers. Medical equipment is loaned out. The Lumara Society is offering Grief and Bereavement Care on November 23/24 called Heal the Healers and the community sessions are November 25/26. Community Wellbriety will begin January 2024. Check out the fitness class schedule at www.niislaanaay.ca/our-story How to help: Equipment donations are accepted. Kindly phone first to 250-626-3911 ext. 242. XaaydaaGa Dlaang Society/Skide-gate Health Center has recently moved into their new building the Xaaynangaa Naay House of Life at 156 2nd Avenue HlGaagilda. Created in 2016, the society follows a traditional governance model with membership coming from the ten clans of HlGaagilda. Services include home care, community health, pre- and post-natal care, mental health, wellness, medical travel, cancer and diabetes care and a youth center. The society hosts regular traditional and alternative healing clinics and weekly family medicine clinics. There are regular specialist clinics for diabetes and cancer care. The hearing clinic is November 27 to December 1. Staff will be hosting an information table with a focus on mental health at the Band Council’s November 16th Open House. On November 10 to 13 and again December 1 to 4 there is a Grief and Loss workshop. How to help: For more information call 250-559-4610.
Animals coming into care are fostered in a volunteer’s home before being matched to their forever home. Volunteers drive animals (and owners) to vet appointments and deliver pet food and medications. Currently, there are bags of good quality cat food available, donated by the Vancouver-based company Petcurean. Anyone on a low income can apply for the food at the website shown below. How to help: You can apply to be a volunteer on their webpage This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , message them on Facebook or donate money by sending a cheque to GAHS c/o Box 73, Tlell, BC V0T 1Y0, or you can donate directly on their website and get an immediate receipt. |
Islands Wellness Society (IWS) was formed in 1983 to address the main issues concerning women and chil-dren. Over the Holiday Season there will be opportunities to give to food drives including the Hamper Program, now run by the IWS. On December 7 at the Co-op in Hl
Gwaii Animal Helpline Society (GAHS) is a registered non-profit and is solely volunteer run to support and encourage humane treatment of com-panion animals. The Society offers Spay and Neuter Services, Emergency Medical Support, Vaccines and Boosters for low-income owners, (TNR) Trap, Neuter and Release for feral cats, rehoming abandoned or surrendered animals, receiving and fostering and adoption processes, all dependent on available funding.