A volunteer group in the province is raising money this month, with just less than a week to go in the fundraising drive, to provide menstrual products for Indigenous communities located in northern Saskatchewan.  The communities they focus on are from La Ronge northward.

The packing party takes place in early November and product is shipped out the next day.

The Saskatchewan chapter of Moon Time Sisters was founded and headed up by Nicole White in Saskatoon.

She says they provide pads, tampons, menstrual cups and period underwear and the goal this fall is to collect 200,000 products.

“Water security is a huge issue so if you have very limited clean water sometimes menstrual cups aren’t the best product for you so that’s why we provide the full spectrum, so folks have the option to choose what’s best for them.”

White founded the volunteer group in 2017 after learning about young people in northern Saskatchewan who were missing school because they lacked access to affordable menstrual products.  She says they want to increase access to education and don’t want to see girls and women having to deal with menstruation as a barrier that keeps them out of school.

White says every dollar donated is spent on product or on shipping.  The collection drive is running the full month of October with multiple donation locations in Saskatoon, and in Saskatchewan including Regina, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Debden, Wynyard and Shell Lake.  Donation drop off information is available at truenorthaid.ca and Moon Time Sisters Facebook group.

White says the name Moon Time is actually a coming-of-age ceremony in Indigenous communities recognizing a youth’s changing status in the community and their changing role which comes with expectations.