TASSC Member Agencies

TASSC is a growing coalition of 24 member agencies.

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About TASSC

TASSC is the successor organization to an informal group of Aboriginal executives called the Toronto Aboriginal Social Services Association (TASSA). Established in the mid-1990s, TASSA met to collectively raise the issues of Aboriginal peoples in the City of Toronto and to share information across organizations.

In 2009, TASSA commissioned the Toronto Aboriginal Research Project (TARP) Report, the largest and most comprehensive study ever conducted of Aboriginal peoples in Toronto.

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To Higher Ground

To Higher Ground is a follow-up and a reflection on the impact of the Toronto Aboriginal Research Project (TARP) report published in 2011. In it we look back and look forward at some fundamental issues that continue to cause problems for many in our community. The report is released to spur efforts that promote Indigenous prosperity in the City of Toronto and area.
The report reflects the voices of 1,000 Indigenous community members and stakeholders.  It raises issues and sets the stage for a conversation and actions to address them.  We hope To Higher Ground starts a dialogue on the substantive structural changes necessary to improve outcomes.
To Higher Ground is now being widely distributed. You can download a digital copy here. We encourage you to share it with your networks.
TASSC is currently engaged in implementing aspects of this report. The focus of this effort will be in creating financial empowerment to those served by our respective agencies. We trust all who receive and consider this report, will try to assist as allies to address the issues raised.
VIEW THE REPORT
VIEW THE MEDIA RELEASE

 

Our Main Focus

Research

It has been 5 years since Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council (TASSC) commissioned the Toronto Aboriginal Research Project (TARP) Report was issued. Since that time many of the 58 recommendations are in progress or complete …

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Policy

Aboriginal Civic Literacy Initiative (ACLI) seeks to strengthen the Toronto Aboriginal community’s desire to engage with all levels of government ultimately aiming to increase governmental attention and resources to effectively meet the needs  …

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Advocacy

On November 12, 2013 the City of Toronto in partnership with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released a proclamation declaring November 2013 to November 2014 the year of Truth and Reconciliation in the City of Toronto …

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SPOTLIGHT

Featured Staff from Member Agencies

Niiohontéhsha, Community Birth Worker

My name is Niiohontéhsha (English name Gillian Kyle), I am Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) and Onontowane’á:ka (Seneca) from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and I belong to the Turtle Clan. I am of mixed ancestry, the other side of my family is Scottish and British. My pronouns are they/them and I identify as Two-Spirit/ Indigiqueer. 


I volunteer with Action Canada’s access line, and I am an Auntie with the Native Youth Sexual Health Network. I am so honoured to be a part of Odemin Ghizis Doula Collective and find great joy in supporting Indigenous folks in all stages of life cycles. 


What keeps my fire lit is community organizing, community care, land-based teaching and learning, learning my language one mispronounced word at a time, and radical reproductive justice and birth keeping practices. I have deep respect for our plant relatives and hope to continue learning from and with them.

Pam Hart

Pamela is a member of Chippewas of Georgina Island on Lake Simcoe. She has years of work in the community offering support and advocacy to those facing intergenerational traumas, mental health, addictions, homelessness, violence and more.

Currently as the Executive Director of Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto she continues to try and empower the community through restoration of identity, safe spaces and cultural reconnection.

The Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto (NWRCT) provides a safe and welcoming environment for all Aboriginal women and their children in the Greater Toronto Area. Their programs fall under six broad categories: Housing, Families, Advocacy, Employment, Education, and Youth. The NWRCT provides individual support, group programming, and cultural initiatives.