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.
Unearthing Truth: Locating Unmarked Graves
For over a century, Indigenous children endured the traumatic experience of Indian Residential Schools in Canada, and the haunting legacy continues with the search for those who never returned home. Many Indigenous Nations are actively seeking their lost children, employing archaeological remote sensing and geophysics to locate potential burial sites. However, limited support and resources hinder these crucial efforts.
Healing Indigenous families – The Mother Bear Wellness Project
The effects of intergenerational trauma and the legacy of residential schools have contributed to the breakdown of the family unit in many Indigenous communities, often resulting in family crisis, dysfunction, and substance abuse. Recognizing the need for holistic healing that addresses the entire family unit, Bearwoman & Associates, through its non-profit arm, Heart Spirit Healing and Wellness, introduces the Mother Bear Wellness Project.
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.
Reconciliation through language vitalization: Supporting the Victoria Native Friendship Centre’s Elders Program
The goal of the Victoria Native Friendship Centre’s (VNFC) Language Revitalization & Elders Program is to provide support to those most vulnerable in the community. Elders have survived residential school, lifelong poverty, cultural displacement and ongoing racist attitudes.
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.
