Deadline: 18-Feb-2026
The Heritage Stewardship Program (HSP), delivered by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, provides up to $75,000 in funding to B.C. First Nations communities and First Nations-led organizations. The program supports climate action, protection of cultural sites, digitization of heritage materials, and documentation of oral histories and protocols. Eligible applicants must meet governance requirements ensuring strong First Nations leadership.
Program Overview
The Heritage Stewardship Program (HSP) funds projects that strengthen Indigenous heritage stewardship across British Columbia.
The program:
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Supports First Nations’ inherent rights as cultural stewards
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Recognizes diverse approaches to safeguarding heritage
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Encourages climate-responsive cultural protection
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Strengthens community capacity in documentation and archiving
Projects may address one or more of the four priority areas.
Total Funding Available
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Up to $25,000 per priority area
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Maximum total funding: $75,000 per applicant
Applicants are encouraged to integrate multiple focus areas into a single, cohesive project.
Four Priority Areas
1. Sense of Place
Supports projects that:
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Protect and maintain culturally significant sites
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Strengthen land-based cultural knowledge
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Reinforce community relationships with traditional territories
This area recognizes that land, identity, and heritage are interconnected.
2. Climate Change
Funds initiatives that:
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Address climate-related threats to cultural sites
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Develop climate adaptation strategies
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Document climate impacts on heritage resources
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Implement protective measures
Climate resilience is central to safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage.
3. Oral Histories and Protocols
Supports documentation of:
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Oral histories
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Legal traditions
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Cultural protocols
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Knowledge systems
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Language-connected heritage practices
Projects may include recording Elders and Knowledge Keepers, preserving stories, and documenting community governance traditions.
4. Digitization and Archiving
Funds projects that:
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Digitize photographs, recordings, and historical documents
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Archive cultural materials
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Improve digital storage systems
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Increase community access to heritage collections
Digitization strengthens long-term preservation and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible Communities and Organizations
The program is open to:
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204 recognized B.C. First Nations communities
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B.C.-based First Nations-led organizations focused on heritage and arts revitalization
Governance Requirement
To align with FPCC’s commitment to First Nations leadership:
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At least 65% of board members or directors must be members of, or have ancestral connections to, a recognized B.C. First Nation
Eligible Applicant Types
Applicants may include:
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Recognized B.C. First Nations Bands
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Tribal Councils
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B.C.-registered not-for-profit societies governed by First Nations individuals (meeting the 65% rule)
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B.C. First Nations-led museums and cultural spaces (meeting governance requirement)
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Urban and off-reserve B.C. First Nations organizations (meeting governance requirement)
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
Eligible activities may include:
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Climate vulnerability assessments of cultural sites
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Land-based heritage documentation
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Recording oral histories and teachings
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Developing archival systems
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Digitizing cultural collections
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Training community members in heritage preservation
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Intergenerational knowledge-sharing programs
Projects that combine multiple priority areas are strongly encouraged.
How to Apply
Step 1: Design a Community-Led Project
Ensure your project:
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Reflects community priorities
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Aligns with one or more HSP focus areas
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Includes training or capacity-building components where possible
Step 2: Confirm Governance Eligibility
Verify that:
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Your organization meets the 65% First Nations board requirement
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Documentation is available to confirm governance structure
Step 3: Prepare Required Materials
Typical requirements include:
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Completed application form
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Detailed project description
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Workplan and timeline
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Budget (up to $75,000 maximum)
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Governance documentation
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Letters of support (if applicable)
Step 4: Submit via FPCC Grant Portal
All applications must be submitted through the First Peoples’ Cultural Council Grant Portal.
Funding Disbursement and Reporting
Successful applicants:
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Receive funds according to FPCC grant agreement terms
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Must complete final reporting requirements
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Must document project outcomes
Timely reporting is required to maintain future funding eligibility.
Why This Program Matters
Supporting Indigenous Stewardship Rights
The program reinforces the inherent right of First Nations to steward their cultures and heritage.
Responding to Climate Change
Cultural sites across British Columbia face climate-related threats, making adaptive action urgent.
Strengthening Intergenerational Knowledge
Oral history documentation and digitization protect knowledge for future generations.
Building Community Capacity
Training opportunities empower local community members to lead heritage stewardship efforts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Failing to meet the 65% governance requirement
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Submitting projects that do not align with one of the four priority areas
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Providing incomplete budgets
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Overlooking opportunities to integrate multiple focus areas
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Missing required documentation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the maximum funding available?
Applicants can receive up to $25,000 per priority area, with a maximum total of $75,000.
2. Can a project cover multiple priority areas?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to integrate more than one focus area.
3. Who can apply?
Recognized B.C. First Nations communities and B.C.-based First Nations-led organizations that meet governance requirements.
4. What is the 65% governance rule?
At least 65% of board members or directors must be members of, or have ancestral connections to, a recognized B.C. First Nation.
5. Are urban and off-reserve organizations eligible?
Yes, provided they meet the governance requirement.
6. Can museums apply?
Yes. B.C. First Nations-led museums and cultural spaces may apply if they meet the governance criteria.
7. How are applications submitted?
Applications must be submitted through the FPCC Grant Portal.
Conclusion
The Heritage Stewardship Program provides vital funding for B.C. First Nations communities to protect cultural sites, document oral traditions, respond to climate change, and digitize heritage materials.
With funding of up to $75,000 and a strong emphasis on First Nations leadership and governance, the program empowers communities to steward their heritage in culturally appropriate and community-driven ways. Eligible applicants are encouraged to design integrated projects that strengthen cultural resilience for future generations.
For more information, visit First Peoples’ Cultural Council.