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.
Marking Change
For 60 years, St. Paul’s Indian Residential School operated in North Vancouver, where Indigenous children were removed from their families and forced through the gates under the guise of education. Many Squamish, Musqueam and Burrard children, along with others from communities as far away as Kyuquot on Vancouver Island, were taken. Its impact in the region was profound and its effects have been long-lasting.
Remembering Our Sons
In 1927, George Leask was only 14 years old when he was forcibly taken from his family and placed in a Vancouver orphanage. He would never celebrate another birthday, dying only a month later. George’s story is not uncommon. In fact, it is tale too often told by Indigenous Peoples
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.
Expression of Renewal
Forced into silence for generations, Indigenous Peoples were denied the right to speak traditional languages, pass down oral history and celebrate cultural practices. This systemic oppression failed in its purpose and the spirits of Indigenous Peoples remained resilient, despite the overwhelming odds against them. To this day, these warrior spirits have risen to reclaim their Indigeneity, rebuild connections to community and culture and to revitalize traditional practices.
A Shared Voice
The Métis people are a unique Indigenous group formed from a blend of cultures, traditions and heritages. Their spoken language, Michif, is as equally distinct as its peoples. However, like many hundreds of other Indigenous languages, it is at risk of being lost – taking with it a vital connection to identity, history and culture. That is why Michif is being added to the national push for revitalization within communities, with younger generations acting as key pillars in its preservation.
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 Way Home
Indigenous cultures have been preserved and passed down for generations through oral history and traditions. Storytelling is the fibre that connects us all to one another, and for many survivors of the residential school system, healing begins with storytelling. That’s why more than 15 years ago, survivors from Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Nation in Dawson City, Yukon, came together as K’änächá (Taking Care of Ourselves) to document their memories and experiences.
Healing Together
There is no single action that can erase the pain felt by residential school survivors. There is no amount of time that can heal families who had a child that never returned home. Healing is a long, multifaceted process that requires empathetic listening, relationships built on trust and respect, and collaborative efforts to create strong and resilient foundations. Many Indigenous communities have turned to their sacred traditions to facilitate the process.
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.
Trailing Ribbons
In the last decade, there has been a surge in Indigenous Peoples’ desire to reconnect with traditional practices and cultural expression through hands-on activities. The Catholic Church shares this drive to revitalize a culture that has historically been oppressed under systemic institutions. Creating safe spaces to teach traditional skills and bring Indigenous Peoples of all ages together is key to achieving this shared goal.
Our Journey Continues
Since colonization, Indigenous youth have had to navigate a world that challenges their sense of self, their belonging and their community. Today, the disconnect between young people and their cultural identity is growing. At the same time, Elders are struggling to share meaningful traditional knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight with the youngest generations, putting these ancient cultures at risk of fading away.
