IRF Project Collections

Projects Supported by the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund

(New projects added every month)

Pillar One

Healing and Reconciliation for Communities and Families

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.

  • Safety Close to Home

    The impacts of colonization and the residential school system have left many Indigenous Peoples in need of healing. Yet, systemic systems of oppression have left many without access to critical mental health services, leading to higher rates of addiction, suicide, family instability and violence.

  • Healing for All

    The impacts of colonization and the residential school system have left many Indigenous Peoples in need of healing. Yet, systemic systems of oppression have left many without access to critical mental health services, leading to higher rates of addiction, suicide, family instability and violence.

Pillar Two

Culture and Language Revitalization

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.

  • The Past is Today

    In Indigenous communities, the transfer of sacred knowledge from Elder to youth thrived in historic settings due to living together in close-knit Nations. The forced displacement and the migration of many Indigenous Peoples away from their traditional lands has made this transfer of knowledge increasingly difficult.

  • A Season of Renewal

    The Sun Dance is an ancient, sacred ceremony celebrated by First Nations Peoples living in the grasslands of Saskatchewan. It has been hosted for generations to honour the renewal of life, bountiful and lush seasons, community connections, and spiritual and physical well-being.

Pillar Three

Education and Community Building

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.

  • What We Bring to the Table

    Youth are the foundation to building and carrying forward strong cultural identity and pride. Instilling traditional teachings early on is how the rich fabrics of many diverse cultures are carried forward through generations.

  • The Written Word

    Five years ago, Elders living in the Snuneymuxw region, also known as Nanaimo, came together with one shared purpose – to learn to read. Many who had been forced to attend residential and day schools had left receiving limited, if any, meaningful education.

Pillar Four

Dialogues for Promoting Indigenous Spirituality and Culture

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.

  • A Celebration Until the End

    The Indigenous residents of J. B. Wood Continuing Care Centre in Alberta have spent much of their lives forcibly disconnected from their cultural traditions. However, changing attitudes over the last few decades have empowered some to regain pride in their heritage and cultivate community connections.

  • Our Matriarchs

    As the women’s empowerment movement continues to sweep the world, the negative effects of colonialist views of women brought by settlers to North America can still be felt by Indigenous women today. Many were stripped of their important cultural roles and left adrift and unsure of their place in the community.