Alongside Hope Approved Responsive Grants to date

Addictions Recovery Inc. in Partnership with Circle of Creation, Winnipeg, MB

Heart and Spirit Drum Circle

Circle of Creation, a grassroots Indigenous-led organization, is dedicated to healing from addictions, intergenerational trauma, and the lasting impacts of the residential school system. Many of the youth and adults who come to Circle of Creation are searching for guidance, connection, and a way to make positive choices in their lives. The organization offers that pathway by grounding participants in culture, ceremony, and community, with compassion and understanding at its core.

The Heart and Spirit Drum Circle will provide weekly gatherings where participants learn the teachings of the drum — the heartbeat of Mother Earth — as a source of healing and strength. These circles will also include traditional teachings on sacred medicines, the gift of song, and the importance of finding one’s own voice. Each session will close with a sharing circle and a traditional feast, creating a safe space of belonging and reflection.

Diocese of Saskatchewan and Missinippi, Northern Saskatchewan

Sharing Indigenous Elders’ Life Lessons with Indigenous Youth

The Diocese of Saskatchewan and Missinippi is creating a project that brings together the wisdom of Elders and the voices of young people through story, image, and sound. At its heart is a video on Baptism that will reflect Cree traditions and spirituality in a way that feels alive and meaningful, not instructional. Instead of teaching through rules, the video will tell stories — gathering experiences from Elders, wisdom keepers, and youth across Northern Saskatchewan — to show how baptism is lived and understood in Cree communities.

This project affirms that Cree identity and Christian faith can walk together. For many young people, there is uncertainty about whether they must choose one path over another. Cree clergy and community leaders work hard to show that both traditions belong here, and that they can support one another in creating strong, resilient communities.

The final video will be a resource for families and youth, offering them stories of faith, healing, and strength. It will help young people see baptism not as something foreign, but as something that belongs deeply to their own community and culture. Overseen by Bishop Adam Halkett, the Bishop of Saskatchewan, the Diocesan Executive Committee, and the Indigenous Council, this project will inspire confidence, nurture harmony, and strengthen connections between generations.

Interfaith Council on Hydropower (ICH), Winnipeg, MB

Kohkoms’ Gathering 2025

April 2025 to September 2025 | Budget: $15,000

The Interfaith Council on Hydropower (ICH) continues its longstanding work of amplifying the voices of hydro-impacted communities in Northern Manitoba. One of ICH’s most meaningful initiatives is the Kohkoms’ Gathering, which brings together grandmothers to share knowledge, strengthen community ties, and promote healing across generations.

The 2025 Gathering, hosted at Misipawistik Culture Camp in August, will build on the successes of the past three years. Elders and young people will come together in traditional sharing circles, with a focus on personal and community healing. The program will once again incorporate arts-based activities, following the enthusiasm shown in recent years, where participants created individual pieces that were woven into a collective project.

ICH plans to continue integrating Cree traditional practices as central components of the Gathering. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in Cedar Baths, Smudging, Water Ceremonies, and other teachings, creating spaces for reflection, cultural connection, and renewal. Through these experiences, the Gathering aims to inspire tangible projects that participants can carry forward to their communities, strengthening networks of resilience, identity, and healing.

South Okanagan Similkameen Métis Association (SOSMA), South Okanagan, BC

Continued Genealogy Support for Self-identified Métis Citizens

April 2024 to September 2024 | Budget: $15,000

The South Okanagan Similkameen Métis Association (SOSMA) is committed to supporting Métis and Non-Status individuals in reclaiming their identities and securing legal recognition. Many community members face significant challenges in tracing family origins due to colonial displacement, the suppression of family information, sealed adoption records, and the loss of key documentation. These barriers have left many without a clear understanding of their heritage, creating obstacles in accessing recognition and rights as Indigenous peoples.

Through the Continued Genealogy Support for Self-identified Métis Citizens project, SOSMA provides vital assistance in sorting through historical records, reconstructing family trees, and establishing proof of Métis ancestry. This support not only equips individuals with the documentation needed for government recognition but also strengthens cultural identity, reconnecting families to their histories.

By continuing this work, SOSMA helps Métis and Non-Status citizens reclaim their place in community and culture, while ensuring their rights and identities are formally recognized.

Diocese of Brandon and Indigenous Ministries, Brandon, MB

Fire Talk Peer Mentoring

April 2024 to September 2024 | Budget: $15,000

The Diocese of Brandon and Indigenous Ministries is committed to supporting Indigenous youth in their journey of cultural reclamation, healing, and leadership. Their initiative, Fire Talk Peer Mentoring, provides young people with opportunities to strengthen mental wellbeing, affirm Indigenous identity, and build supportive intergenerational networks.

Fire Talk creates spaces where youth connect with Elders and community members through Ceremony, feasting, hunting, harvesting, traditional crafts, and teachings about medicines. These activities root participants in their heritage while addressing the importance of mental wellness. The program empowers youth to articulate their needs, seek supports, and develop the skills to help peers access networks of care.

By weaving together cultural practices with peer mentoring, Fire Talk fosters confident young leaders who are equipped to share their learnings and spark a movement of resilience, identity, and wellness within their communities.

Interfaith Council on Hydropower (ICH), Winnipeg, MB

Kohkoms Gathering 2024

April 2024 to September 2024 | Budget: $15,000

The Interfaith Council on Hydropower (ICH) has been actively engaged in policy analysis and public advocacy on hydropower issues since the mid-1970s. ICH has worked to amplify the voices of hydro-impacted communities in Northern Manitoba. They have highlighted the negative impacts of hydropower, such as the division and isolation of communities due to Manitoba Hydro and government actions. One of ICH’s key initiatives is organizing the annual Kohkom’s (Grandmothers) Gathering, which fosters connections among these communities, focusing on healing and shared experiences.

The 2024 Kohkom’s Gathering continues this tradition, bringing together grandmothers from hydro-impacted communities at the Misipawistik Culture Camp. This year’s event incorporates new elements like arts projects and Cree traditional practices, such as Cedar Baths, to deepen the participants’ connections to each other, the land, and their heritage. ICH also plans to introduce broader awareness projects like the MB Sturgeon Marking campaign and the “Impacts of Hydropower” curriculum, which aims to educate students across Manitoba. These initiatives complement the Kohkom’s Gathering by engaging diverse audiences in understanding the profound effects of hydropower on Northern communities.

Tungasuvvingat Inuit, Ottawa, ON

Inuit Community Christmas Party

November 2023 | Budget: $15,000

Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) is an Inuit-specific service provider offering almost 30 integrated, frontline services. They include social support, cultural activities, employment and education assistance, early years programming, food security, housing support, justice programs, anti-human trafficking, residential treatment for mental health and addictions, youth programs, family programs, counselling and crisis intervention. The goal is to be a one-stop resource and support centre to meet the rapidly growing, complex and evolving needs for Inuit in Ontario.

TI in partnership with fellow Inuit organizations organize a community Christmas Party bringing together Inuit families from the Ottawa community to celebrate and engage in culture, language and traditions important to them. TI held their Inuit Community Christmas Party on November 18, which brought together 1,200 community members who enjoyed a holiday meal and traditional country food. There was a traditional opening by an Inuit Elder who lit the traditional oil lamp, the qulliq. Community members celebrated with traditional dancing, music, drumming, throat singing and Inuit games. There was a visit from Santa for the children. Ottawa has the largest population of Inuit outside of the North, with close to 6,000 Inuit. Approximately half of the population are children under 18 and approximately half are adults and Elders.

St. Margaret’s Anglican Church (Inuit congregation, Diocese of Ottawa, Ottawa

Inuit Christmas Feast

December 2023 | Budget: $1,000

St. Margaret’s Inuit congregation is a distinctive urban Indigenous faith community. Their presence in Vanier is a vital source of spiritual, physical and emotional strength for Inuit in the national capital region. The community is attentive to human spiritual needs and offers a supportive environment for gathering, sharing food, language and other cultural activities. The Inuit congregation’s annual feast has grown into a large and much anticipated community celebration. It particularly benefits Inuit who are in Ottawa for medical treatments with their designated escorts, in retirement care, and who are precariously housed or unhoused. The feast includes country food, a full-course turkey and ham Christmas dinner, square dancing, traditional Inuit games and prizes. The event feeds people who are hungry, offers transport vouchers for the working poor, and a place for belonging on a day when people need to know they belong somewhere. St. Margaret’s parish organized the Christmas gathering on December 26, and it was attended by more than 200 children, women and men. This was a meaningful occasion particularly for Inuit missing their communities in the Arctic.

Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families, Ottawa, ON

Inuit Day

February 2024 | Budget: $15,000

Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families is the largest Inuit and Indigenous service provider in Ottawa with approximately 150 staff. The centre delivers programs and services through five departments: Community Initiatives and Mental Health, Early On, Education, Family Wellbeing, and Youth. The Centre is a multi-service Inuit organization that provides cultural, educational, recreational, and social support services to children, youth and families in Ottawa and surrounding communities. The Centre serves as a major hub for culturally relevant programs and services and is committed to building strength and resiliency within families and within the Inuit community.

The Inuit community has been reclaiming their culture and traditions, and rediscovering pride in their identity. Many Inuit have endured traumatic experiences like residential schools, being sent away for TB treatment, losing dogs to the RCMP, and losing children in the 60s scoop. There is an ongoing need for healing and part of this healing journey involves embracing pride in their heritage and origins. In February 2024, the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families hosted their annual Inuit Day Celebration. This event is highly anticipated by the Inuit community and at least 450 members attended. The celebration featured cultural foods like seal meat, caribou, arctic char and Bannock. Members participated in traditional games focused on stamina and endurance, throat singing, drum dancing and elder storytelling. There was an arts and crafts area, and various games for children and adults to play.

South Okanagan Similkameen Métis Association (SOSMA) Penticton, BC

Genealogy Support for Self-Identified Métis Citizens

October 2023 to September 2024 | Budget: $10,000

The South Okanagan Similkameen Métis Association (SOSMA) is committed to the preservation, promotion and celebration of the Métis culture, history and heritage in the South Okanagan region. SOSMA is currently facing a significant challenge that affects its community members’ ability to access essential programs and support. Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC), the governing body that grants Métis citizenship and manages access to Métis-specific programs, has recently altered its policy regarding pending applications. Previously, individuals with pending citizenship applications were granted access to MNBC and SOSMA programs.

MNBC has decided to discontinue this policy, which denies access to its programs for those with pending applications. This change has serious implications as the verification process for Métis citizenship, which involves thorough genealogical research, can take up to a year or longer. In response to this issue, MNBC has encouraged organizations like SOSMA to assist their community members in preparing stronger applications to expedite the verification process. Preparing these applications requires a considerable amount of research, which is often difficult for individuals to undertake on their own due to the complexity of the historical and genealogical data involved. With funding support from PWRDF, SOSMA has employed researchers to assist them in assembling the requisite documentation needed for self-identified Métis members to apply for their citizenship promptly. The project goal is to expedite the verification process, reduce the waiting time for critical services and ensure a higher proportion of self-identified Métis can gain verified citizenship.

The Diocese of Western Newfoundland and St. John the Evangelist Church Burgeo

Reconciliation Between Indigenous Residents and Community/Church

March 2023 to June 2024 | Budget: $15,000

This project is led by the Anglican Congregation of St. John the Evangelist and their Diocese of Western Newfoundland in partnership with the Town of Burgeo, Local Indigenous Band and the National Marine Conservation Area/National Park Project. It seeks to foster reconciliation between Indigenous residents and the community/church, which aligns with the Anglican Church of Canada’s spirit of reconciliation.

The projects aims to further educate all citizens about their Indigenous neighbours and promote healthy relationships in the community. The project will reflect the wider diversity of the town, including the arrival of settlers, establishing the church and its education efforts, as well as the fishery and creation-care. The cooperation between the local Indigenous Band, the Town of Burgeo, the Congregation of St. John the Evangelist and the Diocese of Western Newfoundland can significantly contribute to the revitalization of Mi’Kmaq culture and language. This would serve as a visible and enduring symbol for the entire community promoting respect, harmony and solidarity for the long term.

Having an area that represents all stakeholders in the community would be a sign of unity and reconciliation between the Indigenous community, the church and the town. The project aims to develop this piece of property to reflect respect for the history and heritage of Indigenous people. The design of this site will be a raised gazebo, approximately 25’ x 10’, on a cement platform with seating and lighting. Once the storyboards are in place, they will provide students, residents and visitors insight into the history of the community. The storyboards will have information translated into the Mi’kmaq language.

Hotıì Ts’eeda Northwest Territories Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Unit Support, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Reviving Tłı̨chǫ Stories

March 2023 to July 2024 | Budget: $15,000

Hotıì Ts’eeda is a research support centre hosted by the Tłı̨chǫ Government and governed primarily by the Northwest Territories (NWT) Indigenous Governments. Hotıì ts’eeda connects researchers with communities and Indigenous organizations to support recognition of NWT health research priorities and develop a health system that is culturally competent and inclusive of Indigenous methodologies and ways of knowing. Hotıì t’seeda is a Tłı̨chǫ language phrase referring to peace and wellbeing in mind, body and spirit, and moving beyond diplomacy to true collaboration so that when we part ways, we leave each other in a state of grace.

Traditionally, Tłı̨chǫ people used ancestral trails during summer. In the 1970s, modern developments led to these trails falling out of use for the first time. As Chairperson of Hotıì Ts’eeda, Dr. John B. Zoe has long worked on projects to reconnect Tłı̨chǫ youth with their land and culture, relaunching annual canoe trips in 1988. Through partnership, PWRDF supported another revival these trips in 1998, and after the 2005 treaty signing, the Tłı̨chǫ Government supported the Trails programming.

During PWRDF’s support, four films were made, documenting important moments in Tłı̨chǫ history. Now, Hotıì Ts’eeda, with local production company Artless Collective Inc, aims to edit and release these films publicly, highlighting the partnership between Tłı̨chǫ and PWRDF, emphasizing community health improvement efforts. The films will celebrate Tłı̨chǫ language, culture, and life, inspiring younger generations to embrace these traditions, also serving as educational tools in Tłı̨chǫ schools and for reconnecting adults and Elders with their heritage.

Indigenous Peoples Alliance of Manitoba – North (IPAM-N), Northern Region of Manitoba

Summer Cultural and Environmental Enhancement Project

July 2024 to August 2024 | Budget: $10,000

The impact IPAM-N hopes to achieve is for the youth to be better environmentalists, know their culture, know safety in the wilderness, encourage youth to be motivated and do things to encourage others, give them a sense of pride and leadership, encourage them to pursue their careers.

IPAM-N is hoping to reach at least 20 youth; however, they will not turn any away should they want to join in. They will select 10 boys 10 girls and then leave it open to others wanting to attend all or part of the project. There will be also an open invitation to parents to participate. The event’s participating local facilitators are experienced and knowledgeable in the areas they will be taking part; for instance, they are retired miners, hydro patrol, former loggers, trappers, elders that know the routes of the previous historic persons that used the rivers. The project will carry out the following activities:

Environment impacts of Hydro, Mining and Forestry: IPAM-N will take the youth to these sites, so they would see and realize how these Industries have been affecting the North.
Cultural Awareness with Elders and local people: Youth will learn the history of their community and surrounding area, view the historic sites where their Ancestors and current elders have travelled
Learning plant and trees and which ones are medicinal, edible or used for other purposes.
Learn from RCMP, Conservation Officers, Retired Miners, about the careers and training they can provide to youth.
Also, IPAM will invite other people to come in and talk to them such as teachers, business owners, and what it takes to become a business owner.

Anamiewigummig Kenora Fellowship Centre, Kenora, ON

Ambe, Strengthening Our Circle

February to May 2023 | Budget: $15,000

Anamiewigummig Kenora Fellowship Centre is an Indigenous Ministry serving in the Traditional Territory of treaty 3 since 1960s. They are governed by a predominantly Indigenous Board of Directors. They also have a 90% Indigenous staff and Indigenous Executive Director, 85% of the peoples they serve are Indigenous. Currently, the project applicant offers a 24/7 operation helping to meet basic needs for those facing many different vulnerabilities often seen as mental health and addiction. Often, community members served by the Centre are deep rooted from intergenerational trauma because of the residential school system. The Centre acknowledges the impacts of colonization resulting in the 60 scoop, Day Schools, child welfare, the justice system, and murdered and missing indigenous women, girls, and boys and LGBTQS2. They witness the devastating impacts on the people who have been directly affected by all these government rooted failures that have caused life altering situations for many of them. Some of the served community members have endured loss and grief and faced or suffered suicidal attempts and suicides. The Centre provides healthy grieving practices and healing opportunities and serves all ages but mostly those between the ages of 18-35.

The Centre pointed out that many families face separation from their children due the welfare system. They are concerned that this unfortunate fact decreases opportunities to the young generation to be closed to their families and aware of their cultures, including their Indigenous languages. Furthermore, the community is facing a HIV and opioid overdose crisis, which prompt the Centre to consider community safety is a major issue and focus on how many lives can be saved. These social issues were aggravated during the COVID-19 years. A few of the Centre’s operational Community Health priorities are suicide and addictions prevention, mental health promotion, and engaging traditional caregivers. They believe that developing, strengthening, and promoting awareness and supports to individuals who face extreme hardships will benefit greatly from the project. Some of the project activities are focussed on land based, Indigenous language, mental health, and wellness. Also, Elders share firekeeper teachings, sacred ceremonies, and cultural protocols. Invitations are given to local expertise and resources to attend the Centre for information sharing sessions, prevention, testing, and follow up care sessions about suicides, and opioid consumption/addictions.

Interfaith Council on Hydropower (CH)

Kohkoms’ Healing Gathering , Winnipeg, MB

February 2023 | Budget: $15,000

The Interfaith Council on Hydropower (ICH) has been involved in policy analysis and public engagement on hydropower issues since mid-1970s. They work to be in relationship with and carry forward the stories of hydro-impacted people and communities. Hydro development has been the cause of significant loss to land, water and livelihoods, causing massive destruction and desolation to everyone and everything that lives in the shadow of the dams. Over 50 years of hydro development has left communities in incredible pain and a feeling of helplessness to confront the problems and find meaningful ways forward. It is this pain and helplessness that will be named and addressed through the ICH project. It is proposed that in August 2023, two grandmothers and two youth helpers from several hydro-impacted communities will be invited to the Grand Rapids Culture Camp for a Grandmother’s Healing Circle. The invitees will be women who are already active in their communities and have long ties with the fight for justice for their people. As keepers of the water, the participating women must find a way to heal from the devastation of the waterways which surround their communities and are now being ‘rented out’ to Manitoba Hydro by the Province of Manitoba. Water is a human right and not a commodity. The participating Grandmothers believe that, as keepers of water, are obligated to ensure that water is clean, accessible, unpolluted, and continues to fulfill its spiritual roles for their communities, grandchildren, and future generations. They also believe that when they are powerless to fulfill this obligation, then they must figure out a new path to wholeness and good health.

The grandmothers from each of the hydro-affected communities will meet with each other and with the youth to discuss “what we can do for our communities to help the youth find their way to that way of life that made our people resilient and strong.” This will allow grandmothers from one community to travel with youth to another community to speak with young people in schools or in alternate venues. They will discuss these plans with the youth and learn from them what activities would be most beneficial for their communities, e.g., culture camps, workshops, or conferences. ICH is inviting two grandmothers and two youth from eight communities (Misipawistik Cree Nation (Grand Rapids), Chemawawin Cree Nation (Easterville), O-pipon-na-piwin Cree Nation (Southern Indian Lake), Fox Lake Cree Nation, York Factory, Norway House, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House), and Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake)), in total 16 grandmothers and 16 youth.

Gitanyow Health & Wellness Society, Kitwanga, BC

Gyets Gitxsan Guks Guuhls lip Siwilaaksinsxwi’m – Call Back our Education
Curriculum Development Initiative

March 2023 – March 2024 | Budget: $15,000

The Gitanyow Health & Wellness Society (formerly named Gitanyow Human Resources Authority) under the responsibility of their Gyets (western) Gitxsan Residential School (IRS) Program will implement the project. The Gitxsan IRS Program provides support services to the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, Indian Days Schools, 60s Scoop survivors and their families. The Gyets Gitxsan IRS Program Vision is aimed at a cohesive society of “Well Groomed Gitxsan”. Their mission is to provide support, education, and awareness, Gitxsan healing tools, to assist survivors of Indian Residential Schools, their communities, and families to receive the tools to heal, learn and become well-groomed Gitxsan. The long legacy of Indian Residential Schools, Indian Day Schools and 60s Scoop on the Gitxsan society has resulted in trauma that is realized in visible effects and affects of First Nations people across Canada. This history has not been taught in mainstream Canadian schools. It wasn’t until just recently that Canada has learned about this stark truth through the media and T’kemlups Teschewepum’k (Kamloops IRS) finding of 215 unmarked graves at their IRS site.

The project proposed to carry out their Gyets Gitxsan Guks Guuhls lip Siwilaaksinsxwi’m Curriculum Development Initiative. This initiative will educate, raise awareness, provide connection to lost culture, language, history, self-awareness, and wellness through connection to self and lax yip (land). This knowledge will promote self-esteem, identity, revitalization of culture and language through renewed connections to land, knowledge of history and Gitxsan values. The three participating western Gitxsan communities, Gitanyow, Gitwangak and Gitsegukla, are situated along the eastern end of the Skeena River. Each community is about 500 people on reserve totalling about 1500 people. The rate of youth in the communities is 50% of community members under the ages of 18 which means currently there are 700 school aged children in our communities. Currently there is an ongoing construction of a $40 million Gitxsan West High School. These participating students will be attending the Gitxsan West School at some point soon. This access to educational will have a definite impact on Gitxsan children for generations to come. Gyets Gitxsan IRS Program recognizes the need for a ‘new’ approach to education within the high school that is Gitxsan specific. This initiative will take at least a year to develop and implement and the project aims proactively “to take the lead in this initiative rather than wait and implement ‘regular’ ‘status quo’ education that has not been working for our children.”

The Anglican Council of Indigenous People (ACIP)

From Trauma to New Life (Phase 1), Winnipeg, MB

January to March 2023 | Budget: $15,000

The Canadian government created Residential Schools and Day Schools as a way to “kill the Indian in the child.” Children were forcibly removed from their homes and taken to the schools where they were disciplined for speaking their language. Children were abused, sexually, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Most recently, the bodies of children discovered on the grounds of former Residential Schools has resulted in an awakening to the horrors of the schools. As early as the 1930s and later in the 1960s, children were “scooped” from their Indigenous parents and adopted into non-Indigenous homes, removing them from any connections to their heritage. The survivors of the schools did not know how to parent and created broken homes. The intergenerational trauma continues to this day as are recorded the stories of missing and murdered Indigenous men, women, girls, and boys. Today, the jails are filled with Indigenous people and the “scooping” or removing of Indigenous children from their biological parents continues. Young people, unaware of their proud history of living off the land and waters are committing suicide as they deal with addictions and poverty.

The churches have since apologized along with the Government of Canada. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was formed and resulted in 95 Calls to Action. With this long history of trauma that the Church has taken part in, it is critical that trauma healing and acts of reconciliation must be pursued. The problem addressed is trauma which is common to most Indigenous people. The challenge is for healing reconciliation and community restoration. This project seeks to begin addressing cumulative trauma in Indigenous communities in Northern Manitoba in a three-phase process to partner the Anglican Council Indigenous Peoples (ACIP) with the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI). This project aims to bring together 30 Indigenous and non-Indigenous Christians from different denominations, 15 from the south joining 15 from the north. This partnership offered an opportunity for training of people to know how to respond to inter-generational trauma who could then go back to their communities. Each community involved will be given tools to assist communities in their healing. Educated community members will receive resources that will stay with their communities and the project will be evaluated to duplicate in other communities.

Medicine Eagle Camp, Elphinstone, MB

Medicine Eagle Camp Teaching Sessions 2022-2023

July 2022 – March 2023

Medicine Eagle Camp Is a traditional teaching and harvesting camp where traditional Knowledge Keepers teach students about the Anishinaabe medicines which grow in this region and where this knowledge has been passed on from Ojibway ancestors/families. The land where the Medicine Eagle Camp is located belongs to the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation. The Medicine Eagle Camp is a recognized camp by the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation community and its leaders. It has been in operation for over 15 years. In particular, the community has depended on the traditional medicines during 2020-2022 to help with the pandemic waves which have affected the community and other surrounding communities. Further to this, the Riding Mountain National Park plays an important role in ensuring that the habitat of the medicines is protected, and an official agreement has been signed in the past which recognizes the rights of the medicine people to harvest traditional medicines in the park. The camp helps to support the work of healing from intergenerational trauma, abuse, and the loss of culture resulting from colonialism and residential schools. It supports students long-term in healing themselves and their family members through re-connection to traditional culture, the land, and being in a reciprocal relationship with one another. The project aims to continue teachings and harvesting of Ojibway traditional medicines, otherwise they will be lost. These traditional teachings bring interested students together so they can learn firsthand how to gather and use these medicines and learn how to protect this traditional knowledge for future generations.

The following activities were successfully implemented by the Medicine Eagle Camp: During July, community volunteers, along with some students were responsible to set up the camp, including the assemble of four teepees, three were available for camping in, and one was set aside for ceremonies. The Sacred Fire area was cleaned, and wood brought closer. The participating Elders held the Pipe Ceremony and offered tobacco prayers for the use of the Sacred Fire. The Elders’ talks were about the land and the medicines that “… (these gifts from Mother Earth) were to be picked and how the plants are also living beings and are waiting to help us to heal.” Late July, the University of Winnipeg brought two professors and nine students enrolled in the Indigenous Ethnobotany Field Class to attend the first training session onsite at the end of July. Also, another four students from Years 1-4 were accepted to attend as there was still space for more students for a total of 13 students and two University of Winnipeg education staff. Four graduate-level medicine teachers came out to assist with the two groups to provide teachings according to the years of the students. Read more about this program. In August 2022, 25 students in years 1-4 along with 5 children registered to the second training session. Of the 25 students present, 13 were in year 1, seven in year 2, three in year 3, and two in year 4. Also, five teachers attended this session facilitated by the Medicine Eagle Camp Elders. Some photos are attached. Participants and students to the two training sessions and facilitators submitted program evaluation forms that concluded that the teaching sessions were a great success. The students who participated were very thankful for the medicine teachings, and no negative comments were received from the students. Also, the local Band Council, the Health Office, and more volunteers from the community and other First Nation communities provided support to the Medicine Eagle Camp activities.

Métis Nation of Ontario – Highland Waters Metis Council, ON

Fireweed Learning Community Plant

October 2021 – December 2022 | Budget: $10,000

In November 2021, Métis Nation of Ontario – Highland Waters Metis Council in collaboration with the Fireweed Learning Community received funding support from PWRDF to carry out their Seed Sanctuary program that aims to reconnect Indigenous food and farming practices to Indigenous culture and knowledge recovery, as well as teaching the community on land stewardship and protection of nature and environment. In 2022, a water storage system was assembled by the partner making possible the collection of rainwater, which was used to water their teaching gardens. They offered activities onsite to children (4-12 years old) and adults (40-65 years old) from various Ontario locations. As the local Metis Council project, an increased number of visitors came to enjoy the tours, workshops, and classes, including a retreat. Also, 45 new families have entered the lead partner’s online platform and are benefiting from written content and teachings about nature and environment. In the spring, the project facilitators grow their gardens with a redesign into a medicine wheel for more plant teachings as that has been the public more preferred activity.

The project programming onsite gained recognition as a public venue to host events and teach the local Metis members and others about seeds planting, growing of food, perennial and medicine plants, which all are welcomed as gifts from the land, Mother Earth. These enhanced activities allowed the Council hired their first volunteer, a high school co-op student, whose earned knowledge and skills and hard work during her contract term made possible to assist the Council in carrying out the project activities smoothly. A second high school co-op student and a first-year university have also joined the program volunteers’ team in the summer. The partner assessed the project success by stating “… (it) has been a beautiful project for building relationships and allowed to have help to enhance their work and reach out more communities eager to learn about Indigenous teachings… It helps bring people to the area and it has helped cottagers feel more called to stewardship and understanding the local Native landscape”.

Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center (KORLCC), QC

Kahnawake Capacity Development for Future Generations and Community Wellbeing Project

January to December 2022 | Budget: $15,000

Since 2022, KORLCC is implementing the Kahnawake Capacity Development for Future Generations and Community Wellbeing Project, with funding support from PWRDF. The project aims to ensure access to local talent with needed expertise and skills as results of implemented plans of capacity development (i.e., training of cultural interpreters, museum curators, and play writers), and Indigenous knowledge keepers. In addition to these activities, the program includes land-based learning of survival skills, hunting, medicines, and tree identification taught in an immersion setting and the skilled activities such as beading, traditional singing, wood carving, silver smithing, will be taught in an immersion setting. Elders’ involvement ensures proper validation and assessment of the Mohawk learning, expertise, and proficiency by onsite visits for exposure and certify the qualifications for trainees’ graduation and hiring for new jobs in the community that is committed the preserve and speak the language always. This project responds to the Kahnawake Mohawk community need for local talent to be timely available at the opening of the proposed new facility, the Cultural Village, which will host the new facilities for KORLCC, as well as for the Community Theater and the Community Museum.

The project lead participants are students from the KORLCC Mohawk language Kanien’kéha Ratiwennahnírats Adult Immersion Program. The facilitator of the project programming is a KORLCC past graduate of the immersion program, with a specialization in skills taught. Because of this project implementation is done in their Ancestral Mohawk Ways, KORLCC has compiled a long list of resources that the participants can tap into for activities and curriculum development. KORLCC key strategy in implementing the project is having local facilitators with experience on the necessary skills required to be developed, and a high language proficiency. A total of two Kanien’kéha Ratiwennahnírats cohorts, totaling 22 students participated in the 2022 project. The age range of the students is between 18 to 65 years old, all Indigenous and 99% from Kahnawà:ke community, the remaining 1% from sister Mohawk communities of Akwesasne and Tyendinaga. On March 28, 2022, KORLCC, the Turtle Island Theatre, Kahnawà:ke Tourism, and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke announced a major federal government funding support of $16 million towards the construction of the multi-purpose building. PWRDF congratulated KORLCC for this great news. PWRDF is honoured to be part of this historical event and continued partnership with KORLCC.

Indigenous Birth Support Worker Program

March to December 2022 | Budget: $15,000

The Diocese of Edmonton’s Birth Support Worker Program supports Indigenous people (including many at-risk youth and adults, as-well as low-income families) during pregnancy, birth, postpartum and into early parenting. Based in Edmonton, the program serves families across Treaty 6, 7 and 8 Territories, Metis Nation of Alberta Regions, and Alberta Metis Settlements, rural, urban and on reserve. Most supported families face numerous barriers and have complex needs arising from the multi-generational impacts of colonial trauma and history, including the Residential Schools experience, the 60’s Scoop and the foster care system. The day-to-day work of the program contributes to healing and, alongside mentoring work, helps restore the knowledge of how to support people on their birthing journey back to families and communities where it can then be transmitted to other community members as well as future generations. Birth work is the ongoing work of generational healing, cultural resurgence, language reclamation, the restoration of ceremony, knowledge, and traditions. It breaks the cycles set in motion by colonization, colonial systems and structures, and the attempts to erase and then assimilate Indigenous peoples, including through the Indian Residential School system.

During 2022, this program has been able to continue to support Indigenous people, including pregnant youth and adults, their babies, and multiple generations in families, including grandparents and other children present in the home, many of whom are high-risk and low-income. In addition to receiving culturally-safe, trauma-informed, inclusive prenatal care and education, birth support and postpartum care, specific outcomes and impacts have included: access to a wide range of culturally-safe and appropriate supports; increased physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being; the opportunity for personal healing, learning and growth through cultural and other resources; decreased isolation through ongoing relational supports and Indigenous community circles; improvements in housing and food security; and restoration of traditional knowledge, practices, ceremonies and language. Indigenous families experience many barriers to care that don’t exist in the same way for non-Indigenous families. These barriers include assumptions, biases, judgements, the privileging of settler colonial worldviews and practices, a lack of culturally safe care (power imbalances and racism), and a lack of trauma-informed care, to name some of the most prominent.

Elder in Residence and Harm Reduction Program

October 2021 to September 2022 | Budget: $10,000

1JustCity supports three drop-in community centres in Winnipeg’s core neighbourhoods: West Broadway, the West End and Osborne Village. The project fosters well-being among Indigenous community members seeking support with healing intergenerational trauma and abuse that they have experienced personally and will provide direct support to community members living with substance use disorders. The program is implemented by an Elder-in-residence, and a Harm Reduction/Outreach Program worker. The primary participants in these programs were people who access services at the three drop-in locations. These would be urban people, living in poverty, either homeless or without safe/secure housing, many with mental health and/or substance use disorders. More than 75% of the people who participate in the Centre spaces are Indigenous. During 2022, there were over 100 people who engaged directly with these programs.

1JustCity reported that the implementation of the Indigenous Elder-in-Residence program and the Harm Reduction program have met the expected results successfully. The Elder-in-residence worked with existing Indigenous staff people to help them design and implement programs such as Sharing Circles, Pow Wow demonstrations, a Sweat Lodge, smudging, Full Moon Ceremonies, medicine picking, beginner language instruction, beading, and sewing. The Harm Reduction program staff person provided training and support to existing staff at the three locations. She helped us to partner with a local group called Street Connections who now provide the organization with safer drug use supplies and information. She also led the 1stJustCity in doing Outreach Walks in the community, where the program staff would spend a few hours at a time visiting homeless encampments near our drop-in sites, to connect and build relationships with people who (for many reasons) may have been uncomfortable entering the three locations. The Outreach Walks was also used as an opportunity to distribute safer drug use supplies, food, and other items such as socks/hats/gloves.

Indigenous Peoples Alliance of Manitoba- North (IPAM-N)

COVID 19 Response to Affected Indigenous Communities in Northern Region of Manitoba

January to March 2022 | Budget: $50,000

In January of 2022, COVID and OMRICON became a critical health issue in Northern Manitoba, many people who had not gotten COVID were getting the Omicron Virus. People who had been vaccinated and those non vaccinated were being recorded as having the virus and it was spreading from one community to another, nursing stations, front line responders were being overwhelmed, and ICUs were filled to full capacity. Many of the communities in this region went into lock-down. IPAM-N immediately saw a gap as these communities did not qualify for First Nation Assistance as many of them were off reserve and living in Settlements and Communities, some were living in Thompson (City), The Pas and other Urban Centres. Many families were place into Isolation, and some were sent to Thompson to hotel rooms to isolate, not giving them time to even pack some toys for their children.

On January 11, 2022, PWRDF provided funding support to IPAM-N (based to implement their COVID 19 Response to Affected Indigenous Communities in Northern Region of Manitoba. The funds allowed the purchase of required supplies and food due to the Omicron Outbreak for the 15 identified and most affected communities: Moose Lake, Cormorant, The Pas, Grand Rapids, Wabowden, Cross Lake, Thompson, Leaf Rapids, Lynn Lake, Thicket Portage, St. Theresa Point, Pikwitonei, Sherridon, Easterville, and Brochet. These supplies were very difficult to access in the northern remote communities and very expensive due to the distance and weather conditions. IPAM-N was able to have the help from over 50 helpers and volunteers, including youth. Along with the delivery of the cleaning supplies, IPAM-N was able to deliver hampers with much needed food supplies as well. IPAM-N witnessed the joy that these supplies have given the people who were in dire needs and very pleased when volunteers showed up at their doors. There were many tears of joy and blessings given to us and our helpers.

COVID 19 Response To Communities Of The Diocese Of Mishamikoweesh

January to February 2022 | Budget: $21,150

In January 2022, the Diocese of Algoma received from PWRDF funding support for the COVID 19 Response to communities of the Diocese of Mishamikoweesh to the Diocese of Algoma. The funds were transferred to the St. Paul’s Anglican Parish in Thunder Bay, Ontario to implement the project. Bearskin Lake was identified as one of the most affected communities with nearly half the population sick with the Omicron virus. In consultation with the Band Leader and with Indigenous support in Thunder Bay, the parish decided that food was desperately needed for Bearskin. St. Paul’s also spoke with Bishop Lydia Mamakwa and she spoke about the need for personal protection equipment (PPE) for Kingfisher Lake First Nation.

The implementer representative, Archdeacon Deborah Kraft, Thunder Bay said: “I was very grateful for the expedient and generous response of PWRDF for indigenous needs in northwestern Ontario. The contract with the Diocese of Algoma was signed within 24 hours and the funds were immediately sent to Algoma and then up to St. Paul’s in Thunder Bay. To have the much-valued support this quickly speaks highly about the responsiveness and organization of the PWRDF.” The results were of great impact, food was shipped up to Bearskin Lake First Nation by ice road on a large transport paid for by the band. PPE was sent by charter air up to Kingfisher Lake First Nation. The outcomes were magnified with an additional donation of $5,000 from Home Depot for the purchase of heaters and humidifiers. Semple Enterprises donated an additional $6000 worth of PPE for Kingfisher. All the products were received by the end of January 2022 and put to immediate use. The beneficiaries were the residents of Bearskin Lake and Kingfisher Lake. “They are very grateful,” said Archdeacon Kraft.

COVID 19 Response to Tataskweyak First Nation (Cree Nation), ON

January to February 2022 – Budget: $15,000

In January 2022, the Diocese of Rupert’s Land/Split Lake or Tataskwayak Cree Nation (TCN) received funding support from PWRDF for their project COVID 19 Response to Tataskweyak First Nation. On January 3, 2022, the Rt. Rev. Isaiah Larry Beardy put out a call for help for the Tataskwayak Cree Nation (TCN). The Omicron wave of Covid-19 was devastating their community and the health care supports could not keep up. The community agreed to go into lockdown, and everyone needed to stay home. With the sudden onset of the Omicron wave, the community had very little time to prepare for the extended lock down. The immediate needs were outlined as Covid 19 health and safety supplies, cleaning supplies and food, as well as generators.

Diocese of Rupert’s Land office (DRLO) implemented the project, they ensured the delivery of two initial shipments of health and safety supplies to the community included masks, hand sanitizer, Lysol wipes, and a few rapid tests and gloves. While the community was still on lockdown, DRLO shipped out 100 activity packs for the kids, along with more cleaning supplies. This office also sent up 100 boxes of cereal, as there was none in the local store. While laundry soap was high on the list of desired cleaning items, sourcing that many and shipping them was proving difficult. So, with some research DRLO ended up sourcing out “Tru Earth” laundry strips. The office sent enough to do over 2600 loads of laundry, with directions on how to use them. The strips are small and biodegradable, safe for lakes and rivers and saves a large amount of recycling or garbage waste. In the height of the shutdown, most of the TCN was without power. A large need for generators or portable stoves was identified. The Final shipment was of four generators for the band office to sign out to households in need. All the health and safety supplies, cleaning supplies, activity packs and food were shipped directly to the Rt. Rev. Isaiah Larry Beardy and he and his fellow clergy distributed them to the community. The project beneficiary is the TCN community of over 3000 people, or roughly 500 households.