Cultural Practices Grant Heritage Program in Canada

Deadline: 22-Oct-2024

The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Cultural Practices Grant (CPG), a new grant that supports B.C. First Nations in planning, carrying out and documenting community-based cultural practices and events that affirm identities, foster a sense of belonging, and celebrate the roles, relationships and responsibilities within a community.

This grant was made possible because of the advocacy and leadership of an Indigenous matriarch, knowledge keeper and leader in B.C. who provided recommendations for funding to support this important work in B.C. First Nation communities.

Activities and practices supported through this grant may include celebrations and honouring children and youth, seasonal or celestial activities and events, knowledge gathering and transfer, reawakening of cultural places and the traditions associated with them, and other culturally important practices that are held by communities. These may be cultural practices that have been continuously carried out over generations, as well as “sleeping” practices that a community wants to reawaken.

Objectives

• The objectives of the CPG are to:
  • Support revitalizing, recognizing and strengthening of cultural practices.
  • Support and facilitate intergenerational knowledge transfer.
  • Support activities and practices that affirm identities, foster a sense of belonging, and celebrate roles and relationships within a community.
  • Support cultural practices that promote collective safety and wellbeing within and for a B.C. First Nation community or communities. This includes physical safety within communities and on the land, as well as the cultural and spiritual safety of those participating in project activities.
  • Support First Nations cultural practices as a way to prevent and heal from gender-based violence.

Funding Information

• Applicants can apply for between $10,000 and $25,000 for projects under the CPG.

Eligible Activities

• Examples of eligible activities include:
  • Community-led naming events
  • Community-led birthing and baby welcoming events
  • Events and practices that honour people with important roles within the community (Elders, hunters, fishers, spiritual leaders, political leaders, language speakers, etc.)
  • Gatherings and events focusing on modeling safe, healthy relationships and preparing children and youth for the future
  • Welcoming and reconnecting programs for adults who did not have the opportunity to participate as youth
  • The development of kinship programs to welcome or prepare new or returning community members

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Applicants
  • Eligible applicants include:
    • Recognized B.C. First Nations bands or Tribal Councils
    • Not-for-profit societies registered in B.C. in good standing and governed by B.C. First Nations individuals where at least 75% of directors are from recognized B.C. First Nations
    • B.C. First Nations-led museums and cultural spaces where at least 75% of directors are from recognized B.C. First Nations
    • Urban and off-reserve B.C. First Nations organizations where at least 75% of directors are from recognized B.C. First Nations
    • B.C. First Nations schools or adult education centres operating in B.C. on First Nations lands

Ineligibility Criteria

• Ineligible Applicants
  • Individuals and family groups
  • Organizations or societies where less than 75% of Board members are members of a recognized B.C. First Nation
  • Collectives or non-registered groups (this grant only accepts registered societies)
  • For-profit organizations and businesses, entities, individuals and commercial ventures
  • Organizations or previous grant recipients with incomplete or outstanding reporting with FPCC or FPCF. These applicants are ineligible until all required documentation is complete.
  • Government organizations, including municipalities
  • Universities, colleges and non-B.C. First Nations schools

For more information, visit FPCC.