If you need help right now
Most of the organizations here are Indigenous-led— designed, staffed, and often governed by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, not “Indigenous-serving” add-ons to mainstream agencies.
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Indigenous people in Toronto — the largest urban Indigenous population in Ontario
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Culture-based programs at Native Child and Family Services
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Free 24/7 navigation — call or text 2-1-1
Two doors if you're not sure where to start
Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council (TASSC)
An umbrella body whose members include most major Indigenous-led agencies in the city — one call to route you to the right one.
647-748-6100Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
The city's central cultural gathering place (16 Spadina Rd) — many other Indigenous-led services trace their roots here.
416-964-9087
| Situation | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 |
| Indigenous crisis support, 24/7, multiple languages | Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310 (or chat) |
| Indigenous women, 24/7, 14 languages | Talk4Healing |
| Residential school survivors & families, 24/7 | National IRS Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419 |
| MMIWG — survivors & families | MMIWG Crisis Line: 1-844-413-6649 |
| Indigenous Two-Spirit specific | 2-Spirited People of the First Nation: 416-944-9300 |
| General emotional distress | Distress Centres of Toronto: 416-408-4357 |
| Suicide crisis | 988 (call or text) |
Indigenous crisis support, 24/7, multiple languages
- Who to contact
- Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310 (or chat)
Indigenous women, 24/7, 14 languages
- Who to contact
- Talk4Healing
Residential school survivors & families, 24/7
- Who to contact
- National IRS Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Indigenous Two-Spirit specific
- Who to contact
- 2-Spirited People of the First Nation: 416-944-9300
You generally don't need a status card
Almost none of these services require a status card or proof of registration — most serve anyone who self-identifies as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. Several (Gladue services, MMIWG supports, residential school supports) explicitly state that status is not required.Health & healing
Anishnawbe Health Toronto (AHT)
The city's central Indigenous health organization, blending Traditional and Western approaches — a medical unit, a Traditional Healing unit, and a Mental Health & Addictions unit (Vaughan) open 7 days a week for anyone of Aboriginal heritage 17+. No mandated clients, no set end date.
Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto
Indigenous-led midwifery care.
- Address
- 525 Dundas St E, Toronto
- Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative — 75 Sherbourne St, Unit 222: 416-203-0133.
- Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy (OAHAS) — supports 2-Spirit people & FNMI community members at risk of/living with HIV & hep C, with talking circles, outreach & counselling. 282 Parliament St: 647-490-6339.
- Call Auntie Clinic — Indigenous-led health support.
- A new Indigenous Hub (45,000 sq ft health centre + Miziwe Biik Training Institute + child & family centre) has been under construction — check current status.
Housing
Wigwamen Incorporated
Ontario's oldest and largest urban Aboriginal housing provider (since 1972) — 220+ units citywide, including family and seniors' complexes.
- Address
- 23 Lesmill Rd, Toronto
Na-Me-Res (Native Men's Residence)
Temporary homes for men, fostering community and self-worth through traditional Native culture and values — a foundation toward recovery and self-sufficiency.
- Address
- 14 Vaughan Rd, Toronto
Anduhyaun Inc.
Emergency shelter for Aboriginal women and their children.
- Address
- 1296 Weston Rd, Toronto
Gabriel Dumont Non-Profit Homes
Métis-specific non-profit housing. Nishnawbe Homes and the Aboriginal Housing Support Centre coordinate additional Indigenous housing options.
- Address
- 4201 Kingston Rd, Toronto
Employment & training
Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment & Training
Since 1991, helps First Nations, Métis & Inuit people reach academic and employment goals — Employment Advisor guidance, GED upgrading, tutoring, trades pathways & workshops. Runs a dedicated Indigenous job board (jobs.miziwebiik.com).
- Address
- 167 Gerrard St E, Toronto
Métis Nation of Ontario — Toronto Regional Office
Community Wellness (crisis intervention, peer counselling, forms/applications help, appointment accompaniment), Healthy Babies Healthy Children, and a Community Support program for chronic/terminal illness.
The Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle funds Indigenous employment and training across Ontario, and the new Miziwe Biik Training Institute aims to support 700–1,000 people into new jobs annually.
Legal support & the justice system
Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS)
The central Indigenous-led legal organization in Toronto since 1990. Free legal help for low-income Aboriginal people — housing, ODSP/OW, Indian Act matters, CPP, disability, police complaints, criminal injuries compensation & human rights, with referrals for criminal/family law.
- Address
- 211 Yonge St, Suite 500
Intake Mon/Wed/Fri 10am–3pm, other times by appointment.
- Gladue Reports / Caseworkers — prepared after a guilty plea or finding of guilt, ensuring courts consider an Indigenous person’s unique background at sentencing. Toronto has a dedicated Gladue court.
- Community Council — a restorative-justice diversion program, the first to apply traditional community-based justice in an urban setting.
- Giiwedin Anang Council — Indigenous alternative dispute resolution for families in the child-welfare or family-law system, including Elder-led counselling and supervised access.
Settlement payments don't count against Legal Aid
Legal Aid Ontario does not count Indigenous-specific settlement payments (residential schools, Sixties Scoop, Indian Day Schools, Drinking Water Settlement, etc.) when reviewing your financial eligibility — worth knowing if a settlement might otherwise push you over an income threshold.Child & family services
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST)
Founded by Elders, Knowledge Keepers & community leaders to support FNMI families — over 100 culture-based prevention and child-welfare programs, respecting the extended family and the right to self-determination. Also runs the Native Youth Resource Centre (16–24).
- Address
- 30 College St, Toronto
For child-welfare dispute resolution specifically, see Giiwedin Anang Council(via ALS, above). Métis Nation’s Healthy Babies Healthy Children supports families with children ages 0–6. Youth 12–24 programs are detailed in the youth guide.
Residential schools & intergenerational trauma
National IRS Crisis Line — 1-866-925-4419, 24/7
For former Indian Residential School students and their families. Emotional support any time.- Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program — cultural & emotional support plus mental health counselling for survivors, families & intergenerational survivors, regardless of status or location in Canada. Access via your regional Indigenous Services Canada office.
- Related programs: Federal Indian Day Schools Health & Cultural Support, the Expanded Trauma-Informed Support Program, and First Nations Child & Family Services / Jordan's Principle settlement support — if one doesn't fit, ask about these siblings.
- Supports include access to Elders, Knowledge Holders & traditional healers for ceremonies, plus Resolution Health Support Workers who listen, talk, and offer referrals.
Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & 2SLGBTQI+ People
MMIWG Crisis Line — 1-844-413-6649, toll-free
Immediate emotional support if you are a survivor, family member, or Indigenous person affected by this issue.- MMIWG Health & Cultural Support Program — trauma-informed cultural & emotional support and counselling, regardless of status or location, for survivors, family, and anyone who was raised by, lived with, or had a relationship with someone missing or murdered.
- Family Information Liaison Units — for family members seeking information about their missing or murdered loved one.
- Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) — leads Ontario’s MMIWG response and cultural initiatives.
- Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society — trauma-informed, culturally appropriate support for FNMI & 2SLGBTQIA+ women transitioning out of the justice system. 413 Dundas St E: 647-598-4520.
Culture, education, community & 2-Spirit
Culture & community
- Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (16 Spadina Rd, 416-964-9087) — the central cultural gathering place.
- Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre (439 Dundas St E, 416-360-4350) — counselling, material assistance & personal growth.
- Tungasuvvingat Inuit — Inuit-specific supports; Toronto & York Region Métis Council — Métis programming.
- City of Toronto Indigenous Affairs Office — monthly 'Tea Talks' & a capacity-building grant for grassroots groups.
Education & 2-Spirit
- Urban Indigenous Education Centre — supports Indigenous learners citywide.
- Post-Secondary Student Support Program — tuition & travel support for First Nations, Inuit & status students.
- Centre for Indigenous Theatre & Native Earth Performing Arts — arts-based youth & community programs.
- 2-Spirited People of the First Nation (145 Front St E, 416-944-9300). See the 2SLGBTQ+ guide.
Practical tips for accessing services
Quick-reference: key contacts
| Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 |
| Indigenous crisis line, 24/7 | 1-855-242-3310 (Hope for Wellness) |
| Residential school survivors, 24/7 | 1-866-925-4419 |
| MMIWG crisis line | 1-844-413-6649 |
| Indigenous women, 24/7, 14 languages | Talk4Healing |
| 2-Spirit specific | 416-944-9300 |
| 'Where do I start' coordination | 647-748-6100 (TASSC) |
| Health (medical + traditional healing) | Anishnawbe Health Toronto |
| Housing | 416-481-4451 (Wigwamen) / 416-652-0334 (Na-Me-Res) |
| Employment & training | 416-591-2310 (Miziwe Biik) |
| Legal / Gladue / justice | 416-408-3967 (Aboriginal Legal Services) |
| Child & family services | 416-969-8510 (NCFST) |
| General service navigation, 24/7 | 2-1-1 (call or text) |
Indigenous women, 24/7, 14 languages
- Contact
- Talk4Healing
Health (medical + traditional healing)
- Contact
- Anishnawbe Health Toronto
Sources
All sources accessed July 2, 2026. Service details change often — call first to confirm hours, intake, and availability before travelling.
- Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council — TASSC
- Native Canadian Centre of Toronto — NCCT
- Anishnawbe Health Toronto — AHT
- Aboriginal Legal Services — ALS
- Miziwe Biik — Miziwe Biik
- Hope for Wellness Help Line — Government of Canada
Reflects publicly available program information as of mid-2026. Program details, hours, and the status of the Anishnawbe Health Hub construction change — confirm directly with the agency, and TASSC or 211 for anything not covered here.