$11 million gift from Alex Krawczyk and family to support indigenous health

In a landmark act of philanthropy aimed at advancing Indigenous health equity and reconciliation, the Krawczyk Family Foundation announced an $11 million gift to Unity Health Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital and Providence Healthcare. The donation, one of the largest of its kind in Canada dedicated to Indigenous-led health initiatives, will support the creation of Indigenous Wellness Centres, land-based healing spaces, expanded roles for Indigenous wellness workers, and a host of other culturally rooted programs and services.

The initiative will be guided by close collaboration with Indigenous leaders, Elders, and community members, ensuring the programs and spaces reflect Indigenous traditions, teachings, and holistic approaches to care. The funding will also support spiritual care programming, ceremonies, and community engagement efforts that honour Indigenous ways of knowing and healing.

Alex Krawczyk, founder of the Krawczyk Family Foundation and daughter of the late philanthropists Barry and Honey Sherman, emphasized the importance of meaningful action toward reconciliation. “This is about listening deeply and supporting Indigenous communities on their terms,” she said in a statement. “We are honoured to play a role in advancing health equity and cultural safety in the healthcare system.”

While Alex Krawczyk’s family legacy includes the renowned Apotex fortune and significant philanthropy through the Sherman Foundation, this contribution is being made independently through the Krawczyk Family Foundation. It is not branded under the Sherman name, highlighting Krawczyk’s personal commitment to Indigenous issues and her desire to foster reconciliation through direct and respectful partnership.

Unity Health Toronto, one of Canada’s leading Catholic health care networks, called the gift “transformational.” “This generous investment will allow us to reimagine how we deliver care to Indigenous patients and communities,” said Tim Rutledge, CEO of Unity Health Toronto. “It enables us to co-create safe, welcoming spaces and programs that recognize the deep spiritual, cultural, and historical dimensions of Indigenous healing.”

Indigenous leaders working with Unity Health also welcomed the announcement. “This gift is an example of what true allyship can look like,” said Catherine Brooks, Director of Indigenous Wellness, who noted that such support goes beyond symbolism to provide tangible, sustained resources for Indigenous-led healing.

The announcement comes at a time of growing national recognition of the need for reconciliation in health care, particularly in light of repeated calls from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Indigenous communities to dismantle systemic inequities and embed cultural safety into care settings.

Construction and development of the new Indigenous Wellness Centres and land-based healing spaces are expected to begin later this year, with programming expected to expand significantly by 2026.

This gift is not only a milestone in Indigenous health philanthropy but also a meaningful act of legacy-building from a family known for its philanthropic commitment to health care, education, and social justice in Canada.