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.
Indigenous Ministries Build Bridges for Healing and Reconciliation
To address historical wrongs, rebuild trust, and foster lasting relationships, Catholic ministries across Canada are working toward reconciliation by bringing together Indigenous culture and the Catholic faith. This commitment has led to the creation of Indigenous ministries within dioceses nationwide, where cultural programs support healing and deepen connections between communities.
Honouring a Sacred Promise
Shockwaves rippled across Canada and the international community in 2021 with the discovery of suspected unmarked graves in British Columbia. For the people of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and Indigenous people across Canada, it confirmed what they already knew: that hundreds of loved ones who had never returned home from residential school remained forever children.
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.
Safeguarding and Revitalizing the Heiltsuk Language
For 14,000 years, the Heiltsuk language (Haíɫzaqvḷa) has been a cornerstone of Indigenous identity, culture, and way of life in Heiltsuk territory on the Central Coast of British Columbia. Despite its deep roots, like many Indigenous languages, it has seen a sharp decline in fluent speakers.
Ucwalmícwts Program Preserves St’át’imc Nation’s Cultural Legacy
Language is at the heart of culture, carrying the spirit, traditions, and identity of a people. For Indigenous communities working to reclaim their heritage, revitalizing language is more than just education – it is what ties individuals to their ancestors, their land, and traditional ways of knowing. However, access to language programs remains a significant challenge for many 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.
A New Path to Housing and Community at 412 Barton
For many Indigenous and Black seniors, finding safe, permanent housing can be an uphill battle. The lasting impacts of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, anti-Black racism, along with daily experiences of discrimination, have left many older adults without stable housing or access to adequate support systems. As a result, they face higher rates of homelessness and poorer health outcomes compared to other senior populations.
A Memorial Monument for Grouard Mission Cemetery
Grouard Mission, a hamlet on Treaty 8 territory in Northern Alberta, is rich in Indigenous history and home to a primarily Indigenous population. Its cemetery, with the earliest recorded burials dating back to 1873, holds the stories of generations past. Among the 1,500 residents buried there, 221 are presumed to be children from the Indian Residential School in Grouard. As the years pass, Elders in the community fear that the identities of those laid to rest may fade into history.
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.
Supporting Indigenous Ways of Being
The Family Centre of Northern Alberta is dedicated to healing the profound impacts of colonization and generational trauma faced by Indigenous communities. Recognizing the legacy of Residential Schools, the 60's Scoop, and other colonial policies, the Centre believes in the power of reconciliation grounded in Indigenous worldviews and teachings.
Empowering Urban Indigenous Youth – “Rise Up: Braided Perspectives”
Growing up in urban centers, Indigenous youth often experience a disconnection from their cultural roots and a lack of access to culturally safe resources and services. Since 2019, the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) has worked with youth from Friendship Centres across Alberta to address and support the unique needs of urban Indigenous youth.
