Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund - HEAR FORM OUR PROJECTS #Press ReleaseIndigenous Peoples Resilience Fund - HEAR FORM OUR PROJECTS #Press Releasehttps://www.iprfund.ca/blogs/tag/press-releaseTue, 03 Mar 2026 06:46:29 -0800http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund and The Law Foundation of Ontario Launch Access to Justice Bundle Program for Northern Ontario]]>https://www.iprfund.ca/blogs/post/access-to-justice-launchToronto, ON | July 29, 2025 The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund (IPRF) is proud to launch the Access to Justice Bundle Program . This program is mad ]]>
Toronto, ON | July 29, 2025 The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund (IPRF) is proud to launch the Access to Justice Bundle Program. This program is made possible through a partnership with The Law Foundation of Ontario (the Foundation).


With an investment of $1 million from the Foundation, this program supports Indigenous-led efforts to strengthen access to justice and advance Indigenous rights, laws, and voices. The program was designed following a series of community-led focus groups held from August to November 2024, where IPRF and the Foundation listened to stories and learned about the communities’ access to justice experiences. The learnings from those sessions have shaped a program that centres community knowledge and priorities. 

This Bundle Program provides funding to Indigenous organizations that are working to remove barriers, and to respond to their justice-related needs. It aims to invest in knowledge and services that will help Indigenous people in northern Ontario understand law and use it to improve their lives. 

The Access to Justice Bundle Program represents a shared commitment between IPRF and the Foundation to walk alongside Indigenous communities, listen deeply, and build long-term, trust-based relationships.

The program uses a two-step application process:

  • Letters of Interest (LOI): Open from July 29 to September 19, 2025
  • Full Application Deadline (by invitation only): October 27, 2025

LOI Now Open
Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria will receive a personalized application link and support from the IPRF team throughout the process.
]]>Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:49:43 +0000<![CDATA[Announcement: APPLICATIONS OPEN April 7th!]]>https://www.iprfund.ca/blogs/post/Announcement-Applications-open-April-7th

Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund (IPRF) recognizes that Indigenous communities and organizations, throughout the pandemic, met the urgent and critical needs of their communities with the assistance of the bundles provided to them by IPRF. As the pandemic diminishes, and the world adjusts, we are in a place of recovery and renewal. What lessons have we learned? What will we carry with us? What do we restore that was lost because of Covid?


Today and going forward, IPRF’s commitment is to enhance the “Resilience” of communities and organizations responding to the long-standing needs that were urgent prior to Covid-19 but were left unaddressed.


We continue to use our approach of 'money as medicine.' Keeping that in mind, IPRF reminds you to consider your customary way of living off the land, using the resources, taking only what you need, using all of what you take, and ensuring resources are left for those who follow you. We do this to provide support to as many communities as possible.IPRF respects that "community knows what community needs."


Support ranges from $5,000 to $30,000. 


Applied Before? Even if your organization has been successful before, you are welcome to submit your application.


IPRF accepts applications in many ways. You can submit online, by fax, in writing, video conferencing, submitting a video, or in honour of our oral traditions over the phone. Application + Application guidelines will be available in both English and French on April 7th, and the Inuktitut translation will follow. 


If you have ANY questions contact us by email at info@iprfund.ca, or call (403) 797-0116, or General Inquires (613) 790-0230, by fax (613) 280-1553, or book a video/phone call. Service is also available in Cree, and French. For online information, please check out our website. 


Please feel free to share this with your networks!


Within the relations of all – to live well.

]]>Tue, 04 Apr 2023 16:57:45 +0000<![CDATA[Press Release | Leading Canadian Foundations Increase Investments to Advance Reconciliation]]>https://www.iprfund.ca/blogs/post/pr-investment-inspirit-sprott-laidlawToronto | Tkaronto – June 17, 2021  On the first anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund, we acknowledge not only the truth of ]]>

Toronto | Tkaronto – June 17, 2021 

On the first anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund, we acknowledge not only the truth of the legacy of residential schools but also the ongoing efforts at reconciliation. 

At the closing event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015, Inspirit  Foundation, Laidlaw Foundation and The Sprott Foundation were among the original signatories to The Philanthropic Community’s Declaration of Action. At that time, signatories committed to a journey to learn and remember, to understand and acknowledge, and to participate, act and model in our ongoing process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada. 

While we continue to learn, today we are acting: 

    • Inspirit Foundation is further investing $1.9 million, $1 million via a capital transfer and an annual $0.3 million grant per year for three years. 
    • Laidlaw Foundation is further investing $2.5 million, with an annual contribution of  $0.5 million per year for five years. 
    • The Sprott Foundation is further investing $4 million, $1 million per year for three years towards granting and an additional $1 million will be invested at IPRF’s discretion. 

With funding directed towards an endowment, the Inspirit, Laidlaw, and The Sprott  Foundations are demonstrating their commitment to walking beside and with the  Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund in collective support of Indigenous communities.  Transferring capital helps rewrite relationships as a concrete action of reconciliation. 

The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund, Inspirit, Laidlaw, and The Sprott Foundations believe the creation of an endowed foundation is an important step in the process of investing in the brilliance, ingenuity, and future of communities across Turtle Island. 

Quotes

“Indigenous peoples have been working with foundations to shift the philanthropic landscape for over 20 years. We knew our communities were already underserved and when the pandemic hit, we would face increased challenges. We came together in partnership with foundations to act and respond to community solutions. Over the past year, we’ve raised over $15 million to stand with Indigenous-led initiatives. On our journey, we are honoured to continue walking alongside Inspirit, Laidlaw, and The Sprott Foundations along with others that have supported us. Together, we are changing how Canadian philanthropy is practiced with Indigenous communities.”
WANDA BRASCOUPÉ, KANIEN’KEHA, SKARÙ RĘ’, ANISHINABE, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RESILIENCE FUND AND VICTORIA MCKENZIE GRANT,  TEME-AUGAMA ANISHNABAI, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RESILIENCE FUND 
“Like many Indigenous cultures, sharing resources with others for the common good is at the heart of my Dene culture. As a foundation, we are excited to share our resources with IPRF to support Indigenous self-determination in philanthropy in Indigenous communities.”
MITCHELL ANDERSON, CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INSPIRIT FOUNDATION 
“We are proud to walk beside the IPRF, as we continue to learn and strengthen our relationships with Indigenous communities. Resources matter in that relationship.”
SADIA ZAMAN, CEO, INSPIRIT FOUNDATION
“Working with the IPRF is an opportunity to be connected to the proud traditions of generosity, ingenuity and abundance of the Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. As a signatory to the Philanthropic Communities Declaration of Action, this contribution is a way for Laidlaw to demonstrate its commitment to meaningful reconciliation”.
JEHAD ALIWEIWI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LAIDLAW FOUNDATION 
“I think it is essential that the philanthropic community supports Indigenous Peoples to take the lead in decisions that affect their lives and communities. The Sprott Foundation and my family are inspired by the creative solutions that emerge when people and communities have the resources to run with home-grown ideas. That is why it was an easy decision for us to contribute to the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund, and why we encourage other philanthropists to join us in supporting Indigenous-led organizations.”
JULIANA SPROTT, CHIEF GIVING OFFICER, SPROTT FOUNDATION 
]]>Thu, 17 Jun 2021 16:41:00 +0000<![CDATA[Press Release | Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund awards close to $900,000 to Indigenous-led organizations across Canada]]>https://www.iprfund.ca/blogs/post/PR-900k-awarded[Ottawa,  un-ceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory;  22 September 2020] The  Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund  (IPRF) has awarded  ]]>

[Ottawa, un-ceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory; 22 September 2020]

The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund (IPRF) has awarded $836,896.50 in financial support to 35 Indigenous-led organizations across Canada. The Fund, led by Indigenous philanthropic leaders and supported by a range of public and private funders, was established in June 2020 to address the impacts of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities. This is the first funding allocation of what funding partners and the IPRF team hope will be many more intakes. 

Data shows that COVID-19 has exacerbated inequalities and continues to have a profound impact on communities with heightened vulnerability. For Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations, working to respond to COVID-19 in the context of pre-existing economic and health disparities and against the backdrop of centuries of colonial history, the impacts have been even more pronounced. 

To date, the new fund has received upwards of 250 applications. The oversight and approval of all funding decisions were made by the all-Indigenous IPRF Advisory Council. Community Foundations of Canada is serving as the host partner for the Fund. 

“The projects we’re funding are helping communities respond to base level needs: food security, social justice, access to technology, breaking isolation and helping youth and elders connect. We’re not talking about huge grants…but the meaningful change these gifts bring is huge for the community and we’re able to get the funding out fast. These are communities that can’t wait six months. What’s unique is that we’re also doing it on our own terms as an Indigenous-led group supporting Indigenous-led organizations. We’re accepting oral submissions from applicants, for example, which is respecting the oral traditions of our ancestors and Indigenous ways of knowing.” 

- Deborah Saucier, Métis Nation of Alberta, President & Vice-Chancellor, Vancouver Island University and member of the IPRF Advisory Council

The following organizations have been approved for support in the four application intakes thus far. They have been awarded between $5,000 and a maximum of $30,000 to address key needs including: 

Food Sovereignty and Food Security

  • Baker Lake Prenatal Nutrition Program, 
  • Miinwashin Lodge,
  • Curve Lake First Nation Food Bank,
  • Onion Lake Health Centre, Community Health Program, 
  • Qay’Linagaay Heritage Centre Society,
  • Métis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan
  • Sweetgrass Youth Alliance, 
  • Gift Lake Métis Settlement,
  • Ilitaqsiniq Nunavut Literacy Council,
  •  Gitga’at First Nation, 
  • Skwah First Nations
  • Morning Sky Health & Wellness Society,
  • Piikani Nation,
  • Little Red Health
  • Red Pheasant Health Centre
  • Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
  • Indian Island First Nation
  • Metlakatla First Nation
  • T’akhu Á Tlén Conservancy
  • Welamiukotuk First Nation

Mental Health/ Cultural Support

  • Municipality of Pond Inlet, 
  • Sweetgrass Youth Alliance,
  • Niiwin Wendaanimak (Four Winds) Indigenous Wellness Program
  • Yun Yah Indigenous Society
  • Sucker Creek Womens Emergency Center
  • UNAAG Cultural Society
  • Frog Lake First Nation
  • Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.

Connectivity, Access, Education

  • Northwest Métis Council 
  • Western Cree Tribal Council
  • Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities, ,
  • Isuarsivik Regional Recovery Centre
  • Day Star First Nation

Capacity

  • Pitquhirnikkut Ilihautiniq / Kitikmeot Heritage Society, 
  • Secretariat of the Haida Nation*
In Manitoba, the Northwest Métis Council is using IPRF support to ensure local youth have necessary access to technology and school supplies to pursue their education. 
“Through our project, we were able to deliver 50 laptops to youth in high priority youth in our region. We think COVID will hit hard in the fall again. We want the children to know education is a priority, that we’re there to help them. We’re particularly proud that families are working together, elders and youth, so that they know we’ve got their back. They’re not there alone.”

FRANCES CHARTRAND, VICE PRESIDENT, NORTHWEST MÉTIS COUNCIL, MB

In Sucker Creek, Alberta, a community of 300 that’s part of Treaty 8 territory, elders are using IPRF support to break social isolation, connect as a community and build skills through weekly workshops offered by the local women’s shelter.

“Each week, we focus on sharing different life skills, such as canning, preserving jams and fruit, how to use a sewing machine, making moccasins and other such activities. While sharing these skills, women in the program are also interacting, providing support and guidance to each other through storytelling. These workshops show them what they can do.Through their own life circumstances they never had this opportunity. Through the storied interactions, the women will recall memories, memories of time with their own grandmothers and family, while there are many emotions, laughter is one that is always there. There’s always lots of laughter.”

CONSTANCE WILLIER, ELDER AND PROGRAM LEAD FOR THE PROJECT 

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