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.
Healing Through Play at Mohawk Village Memorial Park (2024)
The Mohawk Village Memorial Fund, created by a group of survivors from the Mohawk Residential School in Brantford, Ontario, is dedicated to reclaiming their childhoods and fostering new memories for the families and descendants of survivors. The group is constructing a playground and park designed to bring together past students, their families, and the wider community.
The Regina Survivors Circle Offers Support and Reconciliation
Indigenous Residential School Survivors across Canada continue to grapple with the impacts of trauma, in addition to facing barriers to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. In Regina, Saskatchewan, the Regina Survivors Circle (RSC) provides a safe and supportive space for Survivors to share their stories, find connections, and reclaim their cultural heritage.
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 Ojibwe: Language classes as a gateway to healing and identity
Boozhoo, a greeting, and miigwech, an expression of gratitude – these words are the foundation of the Ojibwe language. In a deliberate attempt to sever the ties that bound Indigenous people to their cultural roots, speaking Ojibwe or any other Indigenous language was forbidden in the residential school system, resulting in a loss of cultural identity that is still acutely felt in communities today.
Restoring Culture, Healing Hearts: The Akwesasne Kateri Prayer Circle
The Akwesasne Kateri Prayer Circle of the Kana:takon district of Akwesasne in Quebec consists of members of the St. Regis Mission Akwesasne Altar and Rosary Society, and the Akwesasne Mohawk Choir. The initiative's main goal is to revitalize the Kanienkeha Mohawk Language and culture through prayers, hymns, and traditional music
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.
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.
