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.

  • Redefine Justice

    In Canada, most individuals in social service programs and child welfare systems are Indigenous. Indigenous Peoples count for 76% of those currently in or dealing with the criminal court system. These are all outcomes of intergenerational trauma, poverty and addiction caused by colonization. Breaking these cycles is difficult, but communities and organizations remain committed to healing their people, exploring new methods to improve the criminal justice system and tackling deeply rooted issues many Indigenous families continue to face.

  • Equitable Care for All

    Indigenous Peoples in Canada continue to face persistent barriers to even the most basic healthcare. Colonial policies have disrupted traditional food systems, entrenched poverty, and created a healthcare system that is fragmented, underfunded, and often not culturally aligned. These conditions have led to significant health disparities, including higher rates of chronic illness, mental health challenges, and preventable disease.

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.

  • Learning Ribbon Garment Crafting in Thunder Bay

    For Indigenous Peoples, traditional regalia holds deep cultural significance. Whether worn at family gatherings, communal events, or ceremonies like Pow Wows, these garments are expressions of identity, pride, and ancestry. Ribbon dresses, shirts, and skirts are particularly iconic in First Nation and Métis cultures, often personalized with meaningful colors and designs. While these garments are widely recognized, the traditional knowledge of how to craft them is at risk of being forgotten.

  • Reviving Tradition Through Song and Performance in Akwesasne

    Indigenous activism is growing, and young leaders in First Nations communities are stepping up to ensure the next generation carries forward traditional practices and cultural celebrations. The Mohawks of Akwesasne are among those championing efforts to bring back Akwesasronon culture and language, starting with their youngest members in the classroom. However, the community currently doesn’t have youth groups dedicated to preserving traditional Mohawk social and ceremonial singing or teaching culture through performance and drama.

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.

  • The Fight Against Fentanyl Symposium

    In Regina, Sasketchewan’s North Central neighborhood, the fentanyl crisis has hit Indigenous communities particularly hard. The impact of the opioid has been devastating, leading to a significant increase in overdose deaths, especially among Indigenous youth.

  • Intercultural Grandmothers Uniting

    For many older newcomers to Canada, understanding Indigenous histories and cultures can be challenging. A lack of knowledge often fosters misconceptions and untruths that can lead to racism and mistreatment of Indigenous peoples. For over 10 years, Intercultural Grandmothers Uniting (IGU) in Regina, Saskatchewan, has been working to change this.

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.

  • Nurturing well-being with land-based Culture Camps

    Designed to address the disconnect between urban Indigenous youth and their cultural roots, the Culture Camps have hosted young campers every year in July and August for over 30 years. Camps are taking place in Clarendon Station on the traditional territory of the Anishinabewaki, Treaty 27, and have become communal gathering spaces for learning, traditional ceremonies, and recreational activities.

  • Supporting Indigenous Leadership: Keptin’s Regalia for a Spiritual Leader

    Funding from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) allowed the Diocese of Charlottetown's St. Bonaventure Parish initiative to support Keptin Benny Sark's new role as a spiritual leader of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council.