HELP MY NISH SISTER GO BACK TO SCHOOL

I’m fundraising for my sister, Nathenia who is trying to return to school to become a dental hygienist. She is an Anishinaabe-Ojibwe and South Asian single mother of a wonderful Trans teenage boy, and she also cares for our mother in her home. She has been working as a dental assistant for about 5 years and is interested in furthering her career to better care of herself, her family and her community.

Nathenia suffered from massive amounts of ear infections as a child, which resulted in many unnecessary surgeries (Thunder Bay healthcare in the 80’s for Native kids was never it and probably still isn’t) which then resulted in so many medications that damaged her own teeth. Not to mention the fact that Indigenous people experience higher levels of dental issues due to systemic barriers and the ongoing effects of colonization. Indigenous children continue to have the highest rate of ECC (Early Childhood Carries - tooth decay in children under the age of 6). Because we grew up a part of these statistics, Nathenia really wants to do something to change that and bring dental care to communities.

In Nathenia’s own words: “As an indigenous woman who grew up in poverty with little to no access to dental care and is still suffering with dental issues. My dream is to become a dental hygienist to help prevent dental issues mostly among Indigenous peoples through education and regular dental cleanings.”

I watched my sister struggle in school when she was younger because we know the education system isn’t set up for everyone. I watched her graduate despite all the odds against her and watched her become a mother and a student again when she went back for pre-health. I watched her uproot her kid and move here with nothing to start over, welcome in our mother and find this path to this career that she so loves to do. She’s always been caring for people, and this decision is no different. I think she deserves some care back.

So here are the number facts:

Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries

Tuition $53,575.00

Additional fees

*1st fee (due by Nov 18): $5,550

Hold seat $500

*This covers books, uniforms, instruments, equipment rental, expendable materials

2nd fee (due next Nov) $2,225

*This covers books, equipment rental, expendable materials

And then of course, this doesn’t include living expenses.

She will be applying for a student loan through her bank for the majority of the fees (she can’t apply for OSAP because she still owes from before).

Our band office only covers $8000 a year.

The scholarships and bursaries she can and will be applying for are mostly smaller amounts.

SO we’re asking if folks can help with at least the additional fees and/or living expenses to give her some relief from the loan - particularly since the first fee is due next week (which we weren’t aware of until recently).

$10,000

$8275 for the additional fees

$1725+/remainder to be put into an account to go towards tuition or rent

Anything you can give is helpful! Please share it along!

Gitchi miigwetch!