Our Story
In 2015, the Aboriginal Book Bundles began as an idea brought forward by Trudy Antone, a community member looking to make a difference to children in Oneida Nation of the Thames in order to develop their readiness for school.
Conversations were had around the fact that those in the Oneida community do not have access to the London and Middlesex County Baby’s Book Bag programs, and that there is a lack of libraries and resources. With help from the Best Start funding provided by the Province through the Child and Youth Network, there was endorsement to purchase books and bags for three Indigenous Communities.
Community members which consisted originally of staff from Oneida Health Department, Oneida Daycare, Chippewa Health Department, Enji-Maajtaawaad Early Years Program, Ontario Early Years Centre, and Middlesex-London Health Unit met to discuss what the book bag would look like and quickly realized that the mainstream bag would not meet the needs for this population. Subsequently a new bag was designed to provide culturally rich books for 3 stages of a child’s development: infant books and beautifully designed canvas tote would be given prenatally or after birth, with toddler and pre-school packages to follow.


Indigenous people have a rich culture.
Over the years we have grown as a Coalition, but the purpose as remained the same. to empower communities by supporting, strengthening and educating families through culturally enriched resources.
Our funding was cut short in 2017. We put together a proposal and lucky enough to receive money from the Ontario Arts Council for 2018-2020.
After 2020, the Child and Youth Network has helped support Aboriginal Babies and Beyond Coalition as many initiatives alined with them. We are beyond grateful for their ongoing support and partnership.

Aboriginal Babies and Beyond is Part of Three Nations:

Oneida Nation of the Thames

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation

Munsee-Delaware Nation
We provide culturally based Indigenous child and family services and resources.

London Public Library
Community Support
Enji Maajtaawaad Early Years
Community Support
N'Amerind (London) Friendship Centre
Community Support
Atlohsa Family Healing Services
Community Support
Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre
Community Support
Chippewa Health Department
Community Support
Mnaasged Child & Family Services
Community Support
Oneida Family Resource
Community Support
Oneida Health Dapartment
Community Support
Oneida Child Care Centre
Community Support
Munsee-Delaware Health Department
Community Support
All Kids Beong
Community Support
Middlesex-Londn Health Unit
Community Support
Strive
Community Support
Child and Youth Network
Community Support
Nshwaasnangong Child Care & Family Centre
Community Support