Welcome to Shared Value Solutions biweekly funding and news digest. We hope it finds you well.
As winter gives way to the summer sun and warmth fills the air again, we completely understand if your attention was elsewhere and you missed our recent special announcements: an exciting new eBook and a climate resiliency presentation, both available for download. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Read on for access to these valuable resources as well as an introduction to this month's inspiring Women Crush Wednesday - Bren Little Light, a proud member of the Siksika Nation. We share inspiring stories from across Turtle Island, as well as our usual round up of funding opportunities for you to check out. Stay well, everyone!
A proud member of the Siksika Nation (part of the Blackfoot Confederacy), Bren Little Light has worked tirelessly for years to fight for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and interests. She has been involved in the homeless crisis, the opioid crisis, the gas and oil industry, and now in the search for unmarked graves at former residential school sites. As her Cree name, Sundance Woman, suggests, she is a beacon of light and positivity and brings so much inspiration to those around her. Bren is our #wcw for the month of May!
Looking for inspiration for your upcoming environmental monitoring field season?
Download our eBook for free to hear about how Indigenous Nations are using environmental monitoring to further stewardship efforts, assert jurisdiction, prepare for climate change, and empower citizens to protect their lands and waters.
A collection of the most popular posts from our Environmental Monitoring blog series, this newest volume in our popular eBook collection covers everything from deciding what to monitor, why, and how to do it. Additionally, we cover lessons learned around specific monitoring situations, such as mines, pipelines, and other linear corridors.
We’ll also discuss how placing your Nation’s Indigenous Knowledge at the heart of environmental monitoring plans can create the best possible results. Finally, and perhaps most critically, we’ll explore unexpected ways to fund and build up your program now and into the future so that environmental monitors and Guardians can approach their role not as a job, but as a career.
Indigenous communities across Canada are experiencing the impacts of climate change from events such as wildfires, heat waves, floods, and shortened winter road seasons in the North. Shared Value Solutions and Morrison Hershfield partnered up to present an overview of the solutions that Indigenous Communities can develop to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather.
The webinar explored the funding application process for a program currently open in Alberta with eligible grants for Indigenous communities and an overview of the climate-risk assessment and climate adaptation planning processes.
Here are some opportunities to check out:
Environment and Climate Change Canada has announced an additional $300 million for clean energy projects. This funding supports projects that help advance Indigenous-led climate action, support local economic development and create skilled jobs while reducing pollution and improving air quality.
After a years-long fight for clean drinking water, Indigenous communities and individuals in Canada are a step closer to receiving money from a class-action lawsuit that was settled with the federal government for $8 billion last year. The claims process under the settlement opened up to submissions on Monday. Indigenous communities now have until Dec. 22 to file their claims, while individuals have until March 7, 2023.
Read More
Health Canada has launched a call for proposals for projects that address system anti-Indigenous racism and/or discrimination in Canada’s health systems. Priority will be given to Indigenous-led initiatives that work to develop cultural safety training and/or culturally safe care and traditional approaches to healing. Up to $1,000,000 of funding is available for projects to be completed before March 31st, 2024.
Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities. The Government of Canada is providing $103.8 million over 5 years to assist First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities with implementing and developing Indigenous-designed community safety projects. There are several activities eligible for this funding, including initiatives that recognize the importance of traditional knowledge and practices in community safety and well-being.
Bennett Jones is launching the Future Leaders in Law Scholarship Program to help remove barriers and provide support for aspiring Indigenous, Black, and first-generation lawyers in Canada. Beginning in the 2022–23 academic year, three individual $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to incoming first-year law students who identify as a member of the Indigenous or Black communities and/or are among the first generation of their immediate family to undertake post-secondary education. Deadline is June 30, 2022.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The Government of Canada has invested $70 million dollars through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to support local economies. There are several activities eligible for funding, with preference given to projects that support clean technology and the green transition, foster inclusive business practices, preserve Canadian competitiveness, and capacity building. Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses are strongly encouraged to apply. Rolling deadline.
Natural Resources Canada has launched the Indigenous Seed Collection Program, an initiative that aims to build capacity among Indigenous communities for seed collection. The program, which will be delivered through Natural Resources Canada’s National Tree Seed Centre, will also support the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge into seed collecting, training, and conservation efforts.
Creating, Knowing, and Sharing – Short Term Projects. The Short-Term Projects component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing funds First Nations, Inuit and Métis professional and aspiring artists, cultural carriers, arts/cultural professionals, groups, collectives and arts/culture organizations. Grants provide support for any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities for projects lasting up to 12 months. This funding provides up to $100,000 of support. Deadline is June 15, 2022.
Indigenous Forestry Initiative. The Indigenous Forestry Initiative provides support for Indigenous led economic development projects related to forestry management and stewardship. The aim of the fund is to increase Indigenous participation in opportunities surrounding the forestry sector. Rolling intake, funding available through to 2023.
Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program is designed to build capacity for climate change adaptation by funding community-designed and driven projects. This program funds First Nations and Inuit communities' efforts to build capacity to adapt to the health impacts of climate change.
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada have invested an additional $20 million to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF). This new phase of the LFIF aims to support Indigenous, northern, and remote communities to develop community-led sustainable food systems. Funding of up to $500,000 is available through this program for the next two years, with the application period opening June 1st, 2022, and closing July 15th, 2022.
Opinion: Indigenous Peoples eager to help lead transition to ‘future-fit’ hydrocarbon industry|Calgary Herald
The global energy transition is occurring at an interesting time for Indigenous Peoples. Historically excluded from participating in resource-based prosperity, many Indigenous Nations are actively involved in the energy industry.
Regina podcast aims to revitalize Indigenous languages| Global News
People can learn different Indigenous languages through a recently launched podcast called pîkiskwêwin which means ‘language’ in Cree.
Canada needs Indigenous-led fire stewardship, new research finds|UBC News
As a new wildfire season approaches, many Canadians are reflecting on the devastating losses of last season, and considering what they can do to protect themselves and the places where they live.
Check out our collection of informative eBooks that are available for free download:
Introducing on of our newest team members, Jason Stephenson, who joins SVS as an archaeologist. Jason has a background in marine and terrestrial archaeological assessments, cultural heritage assessments, and Indigenous land use studies in Ontario and has participated in archaeological research across Canada. He is particularly interested in examining how past peoples shaped and were shaped by landscapes. Jason has an applied understanding of regulations and their effects on archaeology and heritage.
SVS's Reconciliation Circle was born out of our commitment to the TRC Calls to Action. As a company, Call to Action #92 is a place we can directly put our efforts. We see it as a place we can influence the culture and operations within our company and hopefully influence other companies with our examples. We are a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals who have seen and learned much on our journeys – and acknowledge that we have so much more to learn and to know.
Like what you're reading? Want to receive it in your inbox every two weeks?
We are a Canadian B Corp, and we assist Indigenous Nations with support throughout regulatory processes surrounding major development projects like mines, hydroelectric facilities, transmission lines, highway expansions, oil and gas pipelines, natural resource transport applications and nuclear power.
We have deep context and experience behind the recommendations we provide, having worked for our clients on almost every major project in Canada over the last 10 years. For us, it’s all about building long-term relationships with our clients. We want to get to know you and what you want to do so we can help you move your plans forward.
Core Services: