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.
Bilijk First Nation Honours Residential School Survivors
Bilijk First Nation, located along the Saint John River in New Brunswick, is home to nearly 700 on-reserve members. The community is looking to create a special space to honour its residential school Survivors - a place where Survivors, their families and visitors can come together to remember, reflect and heal.
Learning and Healing with Ojibwe Spirit Horses (2023 and 2024)
Mādahòkì Farm, located in Ottawa’s Green Belt, is Canada’s only Indigenous Agri-Tourism destination and working farm. With a mission to preserve Indigenous culture and heritage, the farm offers projects, training programs and cultural events that connect visitors to the land and Indigenous traditions.
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.
Tipi Building Project for Urban Indigenous Youth
In today’s digital age, youth face increasing challenges, with engagement beyond cell phones and other devices often lacking. Urban Indigenous youth in particular are vulnerable, often missing familial support and a sense of belonging. It is important to create spaces and experiences that offer them a sense of community, cultural connection, and purpose amidst these challenges.
Drumming Classes Resonate at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples
Indigenous Peoples have endured the loss of many traditional teachings and practices, particularly due to the legacy of the residential school system. Among these losses are the art of drum making and drumming, which hold deep cultural significance and reflect the unique identity of Indigenous communities.
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 Bridges: Truth and Reconciliation with The People Bridge Advocacy
The People Bridge Advocacy (PBA) is a non-profit organization that builds positive relationships among diverse communities. In 2017, PBA partnered with Elder and Knowledge Keeper Harry Lafond and the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation to bring together Indigenous and New Canadian communities to exchange knowledge on Indigenous history and cultures.
Cultivating Unity and Healing: Eminidowang Kitigaan – Spirit Garden for Everyone
Eminidowang Kitigaan (Spirit Garden for Everyone) is a place that brings Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together to grow food and medicinal plants. The garden is an important part of the Spirit Bundle Program run by Anishnabeg Outreach, which supports more than 450 Indigenous families in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph.
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.
