TORONTO, ON – September 15, 2026 – Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) is proud to celebrate 40 years of serving the Toronto First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) community and invites the public to join in the celebration at its 29th Annual Community Pow Wow on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Dufferin Grove Park. 

As one of the largest urban FNIM multi-service agencies with a child protection mandate in Canada, NCFST has spent four decades supporting Indigenous children, youth, and families through culturally grounded services rooted in culture, community, connection, and care. 

Founded in 1986 through four days of ceremony led by FNIM Elders, Knowledge Carriers, and community leaders, NCFST was created in response to the lasting impacts of residential schools and imposed child welfare systems on Indigenous families. Today, the agency works alongside more than 250 FNIM communities to ensure children and families receive services guided by their Nations. 

The annual Community Pow Wow has become one of Toronto's most anticipated Indigenous cultural gatherings, bringing together families, Elders, dancers, drummers, singers, Knowledge Carriers, vendors, community partners, and supporters in celebration of culture, resilience, and belonging. This year's gathering will be especially meaningful as NCFST marks its 40th anniversary of serving the Toronto First Nations, Inuit and Métis community. The event will feature traditional dancing and drumming, cultural teachings, Indigenous vendors, food, and family activities, while creating opportunities to honour the agency's legacy and the many communities, partners, and supporters who have been part of its journey. NCFST gratefully acknowledges TD for its generous support of this year's Pow Wow celebration. 

"As we reflect on 40 years of service, we honour the vision and mission set forth by the strong matriarchs who served as our first board members, and our founder Kenn Richard. Their vision of providing culturally centered support, wellbeing and healing services to Indigenous community members in Toronto guides our work to this day. This year's community Pow Wow is grounded in gratitude to all community members and partners who have contributed to NCFST's growth and impact as we continue to walk a path of reconciliation, self-determination and boundless wellbeing for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families living or staying in Toronto." 

Melissa Hamonic 
NCFST Director of Governance & Strategy, Leadership Council Chair  

"As someone who grew up within the child welfare system, I know firsthand the importance of ensuring Indigenous children and families have access to culture, ceremony, land and community. Culture was my safety net, it gave me a place of healing, belonging and connection to my identity as a Mushkego Cree woman. It is an honour to help guide cultural and healing programming. This work is deeply personal to me because I know the difference culture can make in the life of a child." 

Rosary Spence 
NCFST Supervisor, Cultural Services 
 

From the beginning, NCFST's work has been rooted in community, culture, and care. The agency provides integrated, culturally grounded services that support healing, wellness, and strong families while honouring FNIM values, extended family relationships, and the right to self-determination. NCFST works with over 250 FNIM communities to ensure children and families receive distinct and appropriate services guided by their Nations. 

As part of its journey, NCFST has embraced a governance model grounded in traditional teachings and shared decision-making. Guided by Elders, Knowledge Carriers, community voices, and the Seven Sacred Teachings, the agency continues to move forward together while celebrating 40 years of resilience, connection, and community-led care. 

Event Details 

29th Annual Community Pow Wow 
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026 
Time: 12PM to 5PM 
Location: Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin Street, Toronto ON 
Admission: Free and open to the public 

For more information, visit nativechild.org  

About Native Child and Family Services of Toronto 

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) is a multi-service agency founded by First Nations, Inuit and Métis community members living in Toronto to support the wellbeing of FNIM children and families living or staying in Toronto region. Guided by the vision of providing culturally connected, land-based holistic services, and child & family wellbeing support to Section 35 rights holders living or staying in the urban setting of Toronto, our programming offers support across all quadrants of the medicine wheel, focused on strengthening and empowering families through all stages of life. 

Media Contact: 
Romina Oliverio 
Communications/PR and Events Specialist 
Phone: 416-301-9129 
Email: [email protected] 

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, we hold space to honour the truths of the past and the resilience of our community. It is also a time to reflect on the responsibilities we share today and for the generations to come.

With this spirit, we are humbled to share the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto Right Relations Agreement, a living document that represents our collective commitment to Indigenous ways of being and to the distinct experiences of our community. This document also shares an important update on our approach to privacy and research work, affirming our responsibility to safeguard community data with care, integrity, and accountability.

We invite you to read and reflect on this agreement, and to walk alongside us in building strong, respectful, and caring relations grounded in truth, reconciliation, and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

To read the report, visit https://lnkd.in/gAjF9zvF

Toronto, ON – Monday, September 29, 2025 – Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) is excited to announce the 28th Annual Community Pow Wow, taking place on Saturday, October 4, at Dufferin Grove Park.

Our annual community celebration is a time to come together in a good way. Nearly 2,000 people gather each year to share in a full day of Indigenous traditions and culture with dancing, drumming, singing, a vendors' marketplace, traditional foods, and more. This free, family-friendly event is open to all – come join us in honouring culture, community, and connection.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
• Time: 12:00PM to 5:00PM
• Location: Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin Street, Toronto, M6H 3K8

About Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto is a multi-service urban Indigenous agency providing holistic, culture-based programs and services for Indigenous children and families in the Greater Toronto Area and Peel region. NCFST strives to provide a life of quality, well-being, healing, and self-determination for children and families in the Toronto urban Indigenous community. We do this by implementing a service model that is culture-based and respects the values of Indigenous people, the extended family and the right to self-determination.  To learn more about NCFST, please click here.

Toronto, ON – On Friday, local MPP Andrea Hazell met with the team at Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) at the Scarborough Child and Family Life Centre (SCFLC) to hear more about the $200,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant it received from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in the summer of 2022. The OTF grant was used to support the implementation of a new Poverty Reduction and Advocacy program for Indigenous community members.

“This grant has made an extraordinary and remarkable impact on the programs and facilities of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto by implementing the new innovative Poverty Reduction and Advocacy Program,” said Andrea Hazell, MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood. “The program has helped with the hiring of new staff and creating new workshops and programs in the areas of financial literacy, employment and skills training, mental health, and others through an indigenous holistic approach and in means of creating a brighter and healthier future for many more Scarborough families. Congratulations to the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto for receiving this much deserved grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation, and I am grateful for all the good work this grant will help accomplish!”

The project saw the development and implantation of a new and innovative Poverty Reduction and Advocacy Program as a long-term solution to address the needs of Indigenous community members experiencing poverty – needs that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Using an Indigenous lens, the Poverty Reduction and Advocacy Program provides culture-based resources and financial supports for clients to achieve financial stability, addressing the barriers (i.e. financial literacy, lack of skills training, health, mental health, and underemployment, family/relationship breakdown, etc.) that impact experiences of poverty.

And to help the NCFST with this program, the OTF grant was used to help with staffing costs for a Poverty Reduction Case Manager, as well as for hosting workshops and sessions, and assisting with some administrative costs as well.

“Miigwetch to OTF for the funds they provided,” said Valerie Kerr, Supervisor, Family and Community Programs at SCFLC. “With the funding, we were able to provide financial literacy programs with an indigenous holistic approach, creating a brighter, healthier future where balance and prosperity go hand in hand.”

NCFST provides a diverse range of culturally centred services across all quadrants of the medicine wheel that support the wellbeing of Indigenous children and families living in or accessing services in Toronto and Peel region. Visit nativechild.org to learn more.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

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Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:

Randall Arsenault, Manager, Communications/PR and Events
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto
416-969-8510 / [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, ON – Monday, September 16, 2024 – Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) is excited to announce the 27th Annual Community Pow Wow, taking place on Saturday, September 28th, at Dufferin Grove Park. This vibrant annual community event will bring together nearly 2,000 people for a full day of Indigenous culture, dancing, drumming, singing, and more.

Attendees can explore an Indigenous artisan market, participate in children’s activities, and witness the special Commemorative Red Jingle Dress ceremony, which holds significant meaning in the community. The day will also include a feast open to everyone, celebrating unity and culture.

Join us in honoring Indigenous traditions and community spirit at this free, family-friendly event.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
• Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Location: Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin Street, Toronto, M6H 3K8

About Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto is a multi-service urban Indigenous agency providing holistic, culture-based programs and services for Indigenous children and families in the Greater Toronto Area and Peel region. NCFST strives to provide a life of quality, well-being, healing, and self-determination for children and families in the Toronto urban Indigenous community. We do this by implementing a service model that is culture-based and respects the values of Indigenous people, the extended family and the right to self-determination.  To learn more about NCFST, please click here.