The call for proposals for the 2021 to 2022 Nation Rebuilding Program is now open.
The Government of Canada has committed to a forward-looking and transformative agenda to renew relationships with Indigenous peoples. Indigenous groups are seeking to rebuild their nations in a manner that responds to their priorities and the unique needs of their communities.
Through Budget 2018, funding has been made available for 5 years starting in fiscal year 2018 to 2019, to support activities that would facilitate Indigenous communities’ own path to reconstituting their nations. Funding is provided annually, for up to 5 years, through contribution agreements. 2018 and 2019 calls for proposals resulted in the selected projects below, some of which are multi-year.
Objective
The objective of the program is to support nation rebuilding efforts that will contribute to increase capacity at the larger nation level.
The provision of this capacity funding will promote:
- the re-establishment of Indigenous nations
- an increase in the ability of Indigenous nations to take on greater sectorial responsibilities, thereby facilitating a phased-in approach to self-determination and ultimately self-governance
- an increase in the sense of unity within Indigenous nations
- identification and agreement among member communities on priorities for action and approaches to issues
- a reduction in the duplication of the resolution of issues at the individual First Nation or Indigenous community level by working as a collective at the nation-level
Funding Information
The total amount of funding available for this program is $100 million over 5 years, amounting to $20 million per fiscal year to distribute across the country.
Eligible Activities and Expenditures
Eligible activities are those supporting the program objective and may include but are not limited to:
- community engagement and consultation
- capacity development training and workshops
- advisory committees
- gatherings aimed at developing culturally appropriate governance structures and institutions
- the determination of nation level priorities
- the discussion of issues and opportunities to rebuild as a nation
- constitution development
- institutional or leadership capacity building development in support of rebuilding efforts and taking on the exercise of rights, including self-government
- research and information gathering, such as Elder interviews or archival research
- other initiatives that foster nationhood
Eligible expenditures include, but are not limited to:
- salaries and wages
- accommodations
- hardware and software needed for capacity development
- administrative costs
- supplies and materials
- information and training services
- travel costs
- professional services, such as speakers, legal advice, and coordinators
- event, meeting or workshop costs, such as rentals, related supplies, and logistics
- honoraria
- communications
Eligible Initiatives
To be eligible for funding, proposals must clearly demonstrate:
- that they are including more than one Indigenous group of the same nation (cultural or language background or historical treaty lines) facilitating a phased-approach to take on greater sectorial responsibilities to self-determination and self-governance
- that the activities contribute to nation rebuilding by increasing capacity for action at the larger nation level and by fostering a greater sense of attachment identity
Who can apply?
Preference will be given to Indigenous nations representing multiple Indigenous communities. Recipients eligible to receive funding under this program are the following:
- Indigenous nations entities (as self-defined and representing nation-based collectives - could be linked by cultural or linguistic background, geographical area or historical treaty lines)
- nation member communities or member organizations on behalf of nation entities
- Section 35 rights-bearing Métis entities
- national and regional Indigenous organizations
- self-governing Indigenous governments
For more information, visit Government of Canada.
