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WHO WE ARE

Who We Are 

Leading the Way

Turtle Island Charity is an indigenous-led organization that seeks to lead indigenous communities to success. We strive to play an active role in reversing damage done by the residential school system, and give the tools our people need to create success in their own lives. Our core services focus on mental health, education, and culture. 

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Meet The Team

Telling Our Story

Jason, a proud Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) person from Tobique First Nation, grew up witnessing the systemic issues Indigenous people face. Initially pursuing a career in science, he shifted to political science after realizing the vast gap in knowledge between how society perceives Indigenous issues and the lived realities. For over half a decade, Jason worked with non-Indigenous charities serving Indigenous communities.  While working for these organizations, he saw their limitations—while they had good intentions, they often lacked Indigenous leadership, values, and priorities. Determined to make a real impact, Jason founded his own Indigenous-led charity to address the challenges he saw growing up, ensuring solutions built for the community come from within the community.

An image of Turtle Island Charity's founder, Jason Johnson, posing for a photograph with local Indigenous children.
A photograph of a painted wooden turtle carved into a totem.
Our Inspirations
An image of a drawn turtle, in the colours of the Indigenous medicine wheel.
An image of a drawn turtle, in the colours of the Indigenous medicine wheel.
An image of a drawn turtle, in the colours of the Indigenous medicine wheel.

The Significance of Turtle Island

Turtle Island is the Indigenous name for North America, rooted in the creation stories of many First Nations, including the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee. It reflects Indigenous worldviews, emphasizing the land’s sacredness, interconnectedness, and stewardship. Our name honors traditional knowledge, sovereignty, and the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples.  

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Turtle Island Charity draws its inspiration proudly from Indigenous tradition, rooted firmly in our belief that Turtle Island should be a welcoming home for everyone.

What We Fight For 

Truth and Reconciliation

Our goal is to improve the quality of life of indigenous people across Turtle Island (North America). We will do this by fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action.  It is imperative that the damage caused by the Residential School system is reversed so that our people can begin rebuilding their lives, and pave the way for a better future.

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Our Philosophy

What We Stand For

People First. We find value in uplifting people, not treating them as a means to an end.  It’s easy to dismiss the value and significance that people have in this world in our modern hustle culture. We operate in a way that emphasizes the importance of people, the importance of community, and the importance of relationships. Our holistic approach influences the way we operate, and the services we provide.

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