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.
We Walk Forward
Reconciliation is a journey that requires Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to walk along a path together, working towards a future where Indigenous rights, traditions and cultures are equally valued, celebrated and respected. It requires non-Indigenous people to commit to being allies and educate themselves about the history of Canada, the systemic and unjust treatment Indigenous Peoples have been dealt at the hands of government institutions, and the oppression that continues today.
We are not victims
Indigenous women and girls are the most vulnerable population in Canada. Due to a systemic lack of support, combined with Intergenerational trauma, they are more likely to go missing, more likely to be targets of violent crime and more likely to be exploited. Many enter an ongoing cycle of poverty, struggle and abuse.
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.
Skʌna Nʌyotyelʌhake’ (We will have Peace) Language Preservation Program
Like many Indigenous communities, Oneida Nation of the Thames in Ontario is facing a language crisis. With only 23 fluent first-language speakers remaining - all over the age of 65 - the community knows that time is running out to pass down their language to the next generation. Most of these speakers are limited in their ability to serve as teachers, making it even more urgent to create a plan to preserve their language.
Mashkiwizii Manido Cultural Camps for Indigenous Youth
Reconnecting with cultural and ancestral roots is a journey that begins within, guided by a strong spirit. For young Indigenous people, this connection is especially important as Indigenous traditions, languages, and communities experience a powerful resurgence. To support this growing need, the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation in Pembroke, Ontario, is creating a space where youth can gather, learn, and celebrate their culture through land-based cultural camps.
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.
Building Community at Trent University: 2024 Learning on the Land Camp
In August 2024, the First Peoples House of Learning at Trent University is hosting its second annual Learning on the Land Camp on Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. The project brings together 30 First Nation, Métis, Inuit and non-Indigenous Trent University students for a hands-on learning experience built to foster relationships among students, Elders, local community members, and the land and water.
Leadership Development Retreat for Student Council at Ben Calf Robe School
With a student body comprised of mostly Indigenous youth, education at Ben Calf Robe School (BCR) in Edmonton, Alberta, is firmly grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing. Central to the school’s mission is the celebration of Indigenous culture and language, nurturing a sense of belonging and community among its students.
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.
