Image of the Saamis Tepee in Medicine Hat. Applications are now being accepted for the Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative in the 2024-25 fiscal year. (Photo 154505326 © Nalidsa Sukprasert | Dreamstime.com)

By Justin Goulet

Applications open for Indigenous-led projects grant

May 7, 2024 | 1:37 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Indigenous-led projects in Alberta are benefitting from nearly $4 million in provincial funding.

The Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative, which launched last year, offers up to $100,000 per project through cultural and economic grant streams.

The Alberta government is accepting applications for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

“It’s important these initiatives are led by Indigenous people because it’s only through Indigenous guidance, leadership and partnership that we can make true progress on reconciliation,” says Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the new projects we can fund in the year ahead.”

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Officials say in its first year, the initiative helped 66 projects led by First Nations, Métis Settlements, Indigenous communities and Indigenous-serving organizations.

Some of the recipients under the cultural stream for the 2023-24 fiscal year included:

• Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council: $100,000 in funding to set up and host three one-day cultural gatherings for Elders and youth at Blackfoot Crossing.
• Sik-Ooh-Kotok Friendship Society in Lethbridge: $100,000 for the facilitation of and materials for cultural programming, including Blackfoot language classes, moccasin making, men’s support group and medicine gathering.
• Siksika Nation: $50,000 to support the Blackfoot people (Siksika) to repatriate the Sacred Motokiik Headdress from the Royal Albert Museum in Exeter, England.

Some recipients under the economic stream included:

• Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council: $100,000 in funding to develop a coordinated economic strategy for the three nations in the confederacy: Kainai, Siksika Nation and Piikani Nation.
• Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta: $100,000 to develop the Treaty 8 Economic Development Corporation strategic plan and unity agreement.
• Indian Resource Council of Canada: $100,000 to support a conference promoting economic reconciliation through Indigenous inclusion in the oil and gas industry.

A full list of the 2023-24 recipients is available from the Government of Alberta. More details about the initiative and grant opportunities are available here.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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