KINGSTON, ON The Indigenous Medical Alliance (IMA) is a Kingston-based, not-for-profit, medical-aid initiative to benefit Canada’s Northern Indigenous Communities. The team is lead by Amanda Stolk and Michael Amesse.
From the IMA's Facebook profile:
“As a project of True North Aid, we are a team of individuals who strive to meet the healthcare needs and requirements of individuals living in our Northern communities. Right now, the disparities of health care between Indigenous and non-Indigenous are extremely large. IMA wishes to to fill the gap between government and the people requiring services related to their health. This includes access to medical equipment that they may not be able to completely afford or locate within their communities, as well as seeking health care specialists to support these communities. Our job is to provide education, support and advocacy.”
Through Rotary, Walker’s/Capital President, Glenn C Warner, became aware of this small but vital team and their much-needed efforts, and wanted to lend some support, in whatever ways made sense and were the most effective.
The IMA’s recent Medical Aid Donation Day provided just that opportunity. In late August, the IMA secured a high-visibility spot at the Canadian Tire at the Kingston Centre to collect medical supplies, monetary donations, and gently used medical equipment for furtherance to northern communities. Capital Movers & Storage was able to provide two shipping containers to collect the donations on August 25th and ultimately, safely ship them to six First Nations’ communities in Northern Ontario.
You can read the full story of the IMA’s beginnings and current campaigns in Tori Stafford’s article on the Kingstonist.
Photos courtesy of Facebook (@IndigenousMedicalAlliance).