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.
With Honour
The trauma of the residential school system has haunted communities and families for generations. Many still grieve without closure for the children who entered through a school door but never left. For them, Ground Penetration Mapping is one of the only ways to locate their loved ones, honour their resting place, and begin to heal. Yet these technological services remain costly, time-consuming, and require support from organizations who are deeply respectful and detail-oriented in their approach.
From Grandmothers to Daughters, Aunties to Nieces, Mentors to Youth
There is an urgent need to create safe and sacred spaces where young Indigenous women and girls can reconnect with their cultural identity, spiritual practices, and traditional roles. As the most vulnerable individuals in an already high-risk ethno-group, many of these youth have become disconnected from their communities.
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.
Treading in our Ancestors’ Footsteps
Seated on the shores of Georgian Bay, Moose Deer Point First Nation in Ontario is strongly tied to the land and water. This plays a critical role in the community’s economy and has shaped its values, traditions and beliefs. This terrain can be unforgiving and difficult to navigate, so in the 1960s, road access was built between village sites to connect families, make schooling more accessible, and enable mail delivery. However, while colonial road structures have made travel more convenient, the traditional pathways have been lost and forgotten.
Our Voices Echo
Voices of the Délı̨nę people have echoed across the land in stories told by the fire, songs sung in the Dene language, and through sacred teachings passed down through generations. Today, Dene voices are fading. Fewer than fifty Elders across the communities that make up the Délı̨nę Got'ı̨nę Government (DGG) in the Northwest Territories remain fluent.
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.
Finding our Children
The oldest residential school in Canada opened its doors in 1831, and for the next 139 years saw countless Indigenous children walk through its doors. Many of those children would never leave. Today, their communities and families continue to search for answers to what happened within the walls of the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School.
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.
Celebrating our Stories
Since 1972, the Woodland Cultural Centre has remained a beacon of Indigenous resilience and creativity, standing proud and resilient against systemic cultural erasure. Despite living within the walls of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School, it has become one of Canada’s most significant Indigenous-led cultural institutions.
Finding our Rhythm
Guiding young Indigenous Peoples to develop skills tied to their traditional culture through hands-on learning is the oldest form of knowledge sharing in Indigenous communities. Whether through storytelling or practical guidance, it builds bonds between the youngest and eldest and fosters pride in one’s community. This is how communities keep ancient traditions alive and instill sacred teachings in the next generation.
