IRF Project Collections
Projects Supported by the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund
(New projects added every month)
The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund supports initiatives that address the historical trauma, intergenerational impacts and systemic injustices faced by Indigenous people.
Grants are provided for programs and projects that promote emotional, mental and physical healing for communities and families, ultimately contributing to a path of reconciliation and restoration of
well-being.
The Root Cause
Substance abuse issues remain a serious challenge in many Indigenous communities. Rooted in intergenerational trauma and significantly impacted by the legacy of the residential school system, substance use has been a way to cope with deep pain and loss for generations. There is a clear need for safe, welcoming spaces where Indigenous Peoples in recovery can gather without judgment and that offer understanding, cultural connection and practical tools for healing.
Our Journey Continues
History was made in 2024 after the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Diocese of Kamloops came together to put pen to paper and create the Sacred Covenant. The Covenant’s purpose is to meet the demand for communities looking for answers about the fates of children who attended residential schools. This moment marked a milestone in the journey towards reconciliation, truth and healing between three groups that have a complex and contentious past.
Preserving and revitalizing Indigenous cultures and languages allows Indigenous communities to reconnect with their rich cultural heritage and traditions.
Through grants provided for language revitalization programs, traditional arts and crafts or cultural education initiatives, Indigenous traditions and identities are celebrated and can be passed down to future generations.
Creating Community
Stepping through the doors of university for the first time is a daunting experience. Trying to create community in a new environment, with new faces, while navigating post-secondary education is difficult for any young adult. Indigenous students, some of whom come from rural or remote communities, face additional challenges such as struggling to find fellow Indigenous peers, feeling misrepresented through coursework, being misunderstood in class and disconnection from their non-Indigenous classmates.
To Teach Strong
Many Indigenous youth have been in crisis for far too long, facing mental health challenges, instability at home and substance abuse, which has led to the heartbreaking loss of too many young lives. Indigenous communities have decided that enough is enough, deciding to not just survive, but thrive, reconnecting and healing in a way that touches both the heart and the spirit.
Education and community building are key drivers of reconciliation efforts. Funds provided for educational programs, workshops and community-building activities can help bridge knowledge gaps, strengthen ties between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and promote a deeper understanding of Indigenous history, experiences and knowledge.
Amplifying the Cost of Silence
Once again, the educational documentary “The Cost of Silence – #USTOO” is returning to make an even greater impact. This documentary features two editions and amplifies the voices of childhood sexual abuse survivors, particularly male survivors, who have suffered from inaction, silence and isolation for too long.
What Success Looks Like
Every child deserves an engaging, stimulating and supportive learning environment. In fact, studies show that students not reading at grade level by Grade 3 are four times more likely not to graduate high school. Indigenous children are much more at risk of falling into this statistic than any other demographic due to a myriad of factors, including the intergenerational impacts of residential schools, discrimination within classrooms, limited or no access to school and more.
Grants are available to support programs, gatherings and events that facilitate the reconnection with and celebration of Indigenous spirituality and cultural practices.
These initiatives are an opportunity to foster awareness and appreciation of Indigenous worldviews, values and spiritual beliefs and contribute to a more inclusive society where Indigenous voices and traditions are honored and respected.
No Longer Forgotten
Considered the “Pow Wow” of Métis communities, Rendezvous are some of the largest gatherings in Métis culture. Throughout generations, Métis Peoples have gathered to socialize, reconnect, pass down traditional knowledge and language skills, and compete in fun competitions such as traditional fiddling, jigging and log splitting. However, the impacts of colonialism have led to the suffering of Métis identity and a loss of connection to community and culture.
No Longer Forgotten
Considered the “Pow Wow” of Métis communities, Rendezvous are some of the largest gatherings in Métis culture. Throughout generations, Métis Peoples have gathered to socialize, reconnect, pass down traditional knowledge and language skills, and compete in fun competitions such as traditional fiddling, jigging and log splitting. However, the impacts of colonialism have led to the suffering of Métis identity and a loss of connection to community and culture.
