Welcome to Shared Value Solutions biweekly funding and news digest. We hope it finds you well.
SVS is thrilled to be back to attending conferences in person -- and what an exciting and action-packed schedule of attendance, speaking engagements, and panels! Read on to find out where we will be and what exciting events we have in our schedule. We also 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!
The Change Leadership Conference brings together industry leaders and experts on leading change on disruption, mental health, stakeholder capitalism, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, future of work, leading change in a post-pandemic era and more!
Karen Restoule, SVS's CEO, will be speaking on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in Session 7: Navigating DEIB & Mental Health in the Workplace, Panel Discussion with Q&A.
SVS has an exhibitor booth at this year's Forward Summit, May 25 and 26, 2022. Laura Taylor, VP client engagement and social responsibility, Steven Rowe, senior advisor and consultant, and Gregory John, regulatory and negotiations team lead and senior advisor will be representing SVS.
Gregory John will also be participating in an exciting panel discussion on May 26, 2022 around the important role technology will play in Indigenous economies moving forward. Greg will be discussing the need for representation in the technology sector as well.
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.
Here are some opportunities to check out:
The Indigenous Energy Projects (IEP) Program provides funding of up to $200,000 to support First Nations and Métis communities and organizations to assess and develop energy projects and partnerships. Applications are due by June 30, 2022.
Indigenous Community Energy Plan Program
The Indigenous Community Energy Plan (ICEP) Program provides funding of up to $90,000 to support First Nations and Métis communities and organizations to develop and maintain an updated community energy plan designed to enhance community energy security. Applications are due by June 30, 2022.
Education and Capacity Building
The Education and Capacity Building (ECB) Program provides funding of up to $125,000 to support awareness, education, skills, and capacity building initiatives that help prepare First Nations and Métis communities and organizations to fully leverage energy opportunities and contribute to cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable energy systems. Applications are due by June 30, 2022.
Community Energy Champion
The Community Energy Champion (CEC) Program provides funding of up to $180,000 to support to First Nations and Métis communities and organizations to hire a designated community energy champion to help plan, implement, and evaluate energy-related priorities. Applications are due by June 30, 2022.
The funding application period is open for Indigenous Nations and not-for-profit organizations to participate in an upcoming public comment period on a fee proposal to modernize Cost Recovery Regulations under the Impact Assessment Act. The deadline for applications is June 17, 2022 and the public comment period is anticipated to begin later this year.
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.
Clean energy in Indigenous, rural and remote communities. 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.
National Adaptation Strategy: Discussion paper. The Government of Canada has launched a public consultation to develop Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy, a whole-of-society blueprint for coordinated action across the country. The first initiative is a discussion paper on the goals and objectives of the strategy. Interested stakeholders are all invited to share their opinions on the paper by participating through the consultation portal until July 15, 2022.
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.
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.
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 1,, 2022, and closing July 15, 2022.
Horizon Health Network creates Indigenous patient navigator role to offer culturally safe care|CBC
In an effort to provide better care, the Horizon Health Network has created a new role of Indigenous patient navigator. The role was conceived through years of consultation with First Nation stakeholders.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations elects two new Youth Representatives| Global News
Hailey Rose from Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nations and Brock McLeod-Waditaka from Wahpeton Dakota Nation elected as new Youth Representatives
UCalgary students make positive change with Indigenous clean water initiative|UCalgary News
Former UCalgary student group and now a nationally registered non-profit organization, Water Movement organized and hosted the inaugural National Indigenous Water Operator Day (NIWOD) on March 21.
Check out our collection of informative eBooks that are available for free download:
Introducing on of our newest team members, Rowena Celestial, who joins SVS as a financial coordinator. Rowena’s immense fascination with numbers, problem solving, and analysis growing up eventually blossomed into a deep appreciation for accounting. She has combined experience in all aspects of general and financial accounting, which includes preparation and analysis of financial statements, auditing, budgeting, cash management, account reconciliation and variance analysis, and HR including payroll and benefit administration, to name a few. She consistently seeks out new opportunities to grow and learn in her field. Along with her unyielding dedication to accounting, Rowena is also passionate about uplifting others and giving back to the community. This strong desire eventually spilled over into her work life, which is what primarily drew her to the SVS team and their positive impact on Indigenous communities.
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.
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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: