A look back at the past 2 years, thanking you for your support in the early years. You make it all possible! Help us celebrate our upcoming birthday by sharing this video with your friends and family!
To The Ends Of The Earth (and back)
January 7, 2011
This past month took us to a place few have heard of, let alone visited. At the very top of the world, on the tiny island of Viagach, is the village of Varnak Russia. (if you look in the dictionary under the words “isolated” or “remote”, chances are you’ll see Varnak!)
Because the straight is not yet frozen, the only way to reach Varnak the majority of the year is by helicopter from Vorkuta (a full two-day journey from Canada). Varnak is as remote a place as you can find – but in that village are dozens of wonderful people who need help.
We brought with us a dentist and basic first aid and medical supplies. Most on the island had never seen a dentist. Those fortunate enough to have had prior dental attention, had received it well over 10 years ago.
Let me tell you – our dentist was busy! He saw and treated almost everyone in the community, working well into the wee hours of the morning.
Varnak is a community that needs our help, and even now, preparations are under way for our Russian team to return.
Because of the state of the village’s only generator, every time the dentist turned on his portable equipment, the village was blacked out. Fortunately (?) most of the patients were beyond fillings and required tooth extractions. 
That night, the entire community came together and we were able to ensure every home had a first aid kit and basic medical and dental supplies. I can’t stress how important this was to the people. Because they don’t have access to medical care or attention, minor injuries often quickly become infected and can easily turn very serious.
So why did we travel all the way to – literally – the ends of the earth?
Parents, let me ask you this: If you heard your kids were trouble and needed your help, would you not do whatever you could to see them out of that trouble? Even if it meant travelling half way around the world?
The people living in Varnak didn’t choose to live there – in fact, many of those living there now were placed there by their government. With no access to industry, income, medical attention (all the things we here in North America take for granted), these people are somebody’s children. They are someone’s family.
How could we not be moved to help?
I ask you the same question. Will you help?
TrueNorthAid continues to go where no others dare – because there we find people in need. The costs are ridiculous and the travel is dangerous and taxing. But we go. Will you help us continue our mission to bring Help and Hope to remote northern communities?
Varnek?
November 29, 2010
Vaigach
Varnek is a tiny village on a tiny island at the very top of the world. We will be leaving Canada en route to Varnek December 5th.
The island of Vaigach is considered to be a “holy island”, a “Mecca” of sorts. A place where aborigines from all accross the north make pilgrimage to sacrifice and worship their idols – asking permission to hunt and fish.
The island is considered so sacred that only gods could be here, and that human beings, who dared to step on this land, had to die.
During the time of Stalin, political prisoners were sent to labour camps on the island to build and work zinc and lead mines. After five years the mines were flooded and closed – surviving prisoners were sent elsewhere to work on railways.
When they started testing nuclear bombs in Novaya Zemlya (New Land), those living there were moved to Vaigach island. The island has only one community, called Varnek, which consists of 23 houses (only 18 are inhabited) and one street — Sea Street (Morskaya).
The wooden houses were built in 1950′s. Each family has a kitchen and a 5-square-meter room. For water — melted snow. The houses are heated by the coal and the fire-wood, even though the area is leading in the natural gas extraction. And because trees don’t grow there, wood is extremely valuable.
In spring time the residents search for wooden logs along the sea shore brought in by waves.
There are only four TV’s on the island, as the community antenna got rotten five years ago. There is no radio, no newspapers. A helicopter comes here once a month, and at times – only or once every two months. The State doesn’t help in any way. This community is by far, one of the most remote and isolated communities in the world.
The average life-span of a Varnek native is 33 years.
So why would we go? With a travel price-tag in the 10′s of thousands of dollars for each of us – not to mention the great physical risk and demands, why would we care?
Perhaps the question is best answered with a question. What is the value of a life?
When we heard of the people of Varnek and their plight – we knew we had to go.
TrueNorthAid will be supplying medical and dental care along with food and supplies to help the people of Varnek through the unforgiving winter.
We can’t do this without your help. Please consider being a part of this monumental humanitarian effort.
A gift of any amount will help.
A donation of $20.00 will purchase one first aid kit which will be left at every home.
Christmas Gift Ideas!
November 26, 2010Today is “Black Friday” in the States, officially launching the Christmas
shopping season.
If you’re like most, there is always at least one hard-to-buy-for person on your list. This year, consider giving a gift that matters.
By purchasing a dowloadable Christmas gift card through TrueNorthAid.ca, you will be helping bring help and hope to remote northern communities who really need a hand up.
Download and email your card(s) to your loved one(s). Let them know what a difference your gift to them is making.
A Monumental Trip To Help A Handful of People
November 24, 2010On December 5th, we leave Canada for Russia.
This trip, more than any other we’ve been on, will be monumental. Our small 5 member team from Canada will meet up with our Russian counterparts and continue north – about as far north as you can go.
The Russian team will include a doctor, a nurse and a dentist.
On our last visit to Karatayka over a year ago, we promised to return with medical help and first aid kits. We are bringing 100 kits – one for each household in small village.
The residents of Karatayka have no access to even the most basic preventative or first aid treatment. What we would consider a minor injury or malady has the potential for disastrous results to those in Karatayka – as the closest medical clinic is a 200km journey across the unforgiving tundra.
Oral health and poor hygiene often lead to more serious health issues. Most in the community have never seen a dentist.
Following the fall of communism, many Arctic villages like Karatayka and Varnak were completely forgotten. Varnak is a village of about 30 people located on a remote island. We are going to help them.
Your help is needed.
Your gift of $20.00 will provide a first aid kit to a home at the very top of the world.
Heading Into A Busy Fall
October 21, 2010Quick update:
Congratulations to our 12-year old buddy Wesley Prankard – AND – the community of Attawapiskat!
Pepsi Canada announced the winners of the first round of The Pepsi Refresh Everything Project. (http://www.refresheverything.ca) Because Wes’s idea generated the most votes in his category, He is being awarded $25,000.00 to build a playground in Attawapiskat! TrueNorthAid is proud to partner with this young visionary and Pepsi Canada to benefit the kids in Attawapiskat Ontario.
In related news: A crew from CTV and Pepsi were in Niagara Falls interviewing Wesley and his Mom for a commercial that will air Canada-wide! The Niagara Falls Review did a great job reporting the story. Read it Here.
AND – we’re just nailing down the final details for a return trip to Attawapiskat – this time with a crew from Canada AM. Wesley will be announcing the playground project and at the same time, we’ll be bringing another shipment of food and clothing.
Still on a related topic – Wes is at it again. The Aviva Community Fund is hosting a grant-awarding contest, and guess who has an idea entered? You guessed it! Wes has submitted an idea to build a playground in Kashechewan.
Voting for round 2 begins October 25th. Please consider a vote for him everyday – and - share the link with your friends and family. He needs all the help he can get on this one!
Wesley’s dad Bob is running in the Road2Hope Marathon in support of TrueNorthAid in 16 days. He began blogging about his experience and you canfollow his progress here. Did I mention he only started training two days ago?
Support TrueNorthAid by sponsoring him on his 42km run
The first week of December, we’ll be heading back to Arctic Russia – this time we’ll be accompanied by medical professionals as we visit 3 remote communities.
The details of this trip deserve it’s own post, so look for that in the coming days.
In the meantime, let me just say thank you for your support. We can’t do any of the things we’re doing without your generous financial support. To donate, please click here.
Update – June 2010
June 29, 2010Attawapiskat, ON
Late December 2009, we were contacted by a woman in Manitoba trying to send clothes to Attawapiskat Ontario. At the time, I had never heard of the community and so I began to ‘Google’ and e-search it. The stories and articles I read were literally unbelievable. After making contact with some community leaders, I decided to make a trip in to Attawapiskat to see for myself.
I was unprepared for the conditions I saw and experienced. Much of this community was literally living in what can only be described as 3rd world conditions.
We returned in April with 12,000 pounds of aid and are working in cooperation with the band office and 700 Club to establish a foodbank and clothing distribution centre in the community – hopefully by the end of this summer.
We are also now working together with “Your Life Counts” an organization established as an online centre where suicidal kids can get help or have someone just listen. Our partnership will be initially focused on the Ontario coast of James Bay where in the last 16 months, 13 suicides have been reported. Hundreds more have attempted unsuccessfully.
These projects represent a commitment in the millions of dollars – just to launch!
Northern Labrador Coast
Two remote northern communities have approached us requesting help in constructing a Community Centre. Because everything is so expensive to ship in, the with an estimated price-tags begin at $1,000,000.00 for each of the communities.
Teen suicide is epidemic in these Northern communities. A community centre, with room and programs to facilitate counselling is an urgent need. The centres will also house food and clothing distribution, addiction counselling and a good social environment where kids, youth and adults can meet.
Laboravaya Russia
We visited Laboravaya Russia after receiving reports of Sasha’s 6 kids being orphaned. We made the trip alongside BPEA in February.
The children are now in another community. TrueNorthAid is supporting them monthly with the cost of their rent. And really – this is where the “rubber meets the road”. TrueNorthAid’s original vision and mandate was to bring help and hope to remote northern communities. You are helping us do just that! It is only with your help that we can provide a safe home for these kids. Thank you.
Karatayka Russia
We are preparing for an October 2010 trip to Karatayka. The object of this trip is to bring first-aid and hygienic education, training and supplies. Many in this community suffer major complications from minor injuries because they do not have access to medical/first aid attention. We will provide each home with a first aid kit, training by medical professionals, and teaching on the need for good hygienic practices in preventing infection and disease.
While in the region, we will be visiting two other communities – the only viable mode of transportation this time of year is helicopter. And so – by helicopter, the team will visit these three communities bringing potentially life-saving supplies.
Pepsi Refreshes Everything
July 1st Pepsi Canada will launch its “Refreshes Everything” campaign. Wesley Prankard, our 11-year old hero, has submitted a video proposal and we need your help!
After visiting Attawapiskat in April, Wes quickly realized that the community did not have an outdoor playground or recreational facility – he wants to change that. His proposal will be posted on their website at http://refresheverything.ca/ and it is your votes that will win the $25,000.00 grant. Please visit and vote everyday beginning July 1st.
Thank you for your interest, caring and support. We are committed to bringing help and hope to remote northern communities in need – and we can’t do it without your help.
To donate securely online, please follow this link: http://truenorthaid.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=19
A True Hero Has Fallen
June 3, 2010
It is an all too rare occasion that one’s life can be impacted so greatly by someone they’ve never met. I can think of only a small handful of such people; most whose names you would immediately recognize.
There is one name among them however that you may or may not immediately know. Shannen Koostachin.
Shannen was killed in a tragic automobile accident this past Sunday night.
Although still a child herself, Shannen was an inspiration to all who knew her, who met her or who heard her passion for justice and equality. Shannen was a fighter – and her fight for a school in Attawapiskat earned her a nomination for the International Children’s Peace Prize.
Shannen’s message was not one of charity. It was about justice.
“…But justice is a higher standard. Africa [Attawapiskat] makes a fool of our idea of justice. It makes a farce of our idea of equality. It mocks our pieties; it doubts our concern; and it questions our commitment.” Bono
On Sunday night, our world became a little bit darker as the bright light that was Shannen’s life was snuffed out all too soon.
But I have to believe that Shannen would expect – and challenge each one of us to light a candle. Light a candle for justice. Light a candle for equality. Light a candle for children’s rights. Light a candle for Shannen.
“There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle” Robert Alden
Attawapiskat! We want to hear from you!
April 16, 2010First off – I apologize for not blogging on this site for a while, I promise to do better and keep you up-to-date and informed of all that’s happening with TrueNorthAid. So watch for a new entry soon – I just got back from an amazing trip to Attawapiskat Ontario.
Are we good? Apology accepted?
Question of the day: (This is directed to residents past or present of Attawapiskat)
What does your Attawapiskat look like?
Zig Ziglar often asks, “If you could do anything and knew you couldn’t fail, what would you do?” So, with that kind of thinking in mind, If you could imagine anything different about Attawapiskat, what would it be? What would your perfect community look like?
We asked some of those questions while we were there, and got a few good ideas, but – I want to hear from you.
A new school? New affordable housing so that every family has a nice, safe home?
Comment here, or on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/True-North-Aid/203592462652?ref=ts
