Welcome to Shared Value Solutions funding and news digest. We hope it finds you well.

Hello and welcome to the Talon! There's still time to register for the FREE lands and consultation department webinar happening TODAY. Scroll down for more info and the link to register.

These grey days are perfect for tucking into reading, researching and preparing for the upcoming field season and we have the perfect guide for you! Check out the link below for a link to our free eBook on Environment Monitoring. We've also included links to our recent blogs posts and as usual, read on for funding opportunities available across Turtle Island, the opportunities round up and our current job postings.

Enjoy!

Special Feature

Join SVS's Scott Mackay and Derek Archibald of Taykwa Tagamou Nation for this free webinar on how to grow your Lands and Consultation department. The webinar highlights real, on the ground examples of how Indigenous Nations have built departments that effectively protect their Rights and further their interests.

LINK TO REGISTER:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtd-mrrD4sHd1nWWNXoywbz9Wn30-aRBFp

Indigenous Funding Programs

NATION WIDE HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAMS:

ICCE Community Funding Program

The main objective of ICCE’s Community Funding Program is to support community-led projects to help build and enhance the capacity of Indigenous communities for cumulative effects management, monitoring and assessment in their territories, according to a Two-Eyed Seeing approach.

Learn more here. 

Program to Enhance Rail Safety Engagement

Transport Canada's Program to Enhance Rail Safety Engagement provides funding to increase capacity for Indigenous and local communities, organizations, and entities to engage with Transport Canada regarding the rail transportation system.

More information here.

More details on this initiative can be found on the RN CTA 65 funding opportunity page.

WWF-CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW FUND FOR INDIGENOUS PROTECTED AND CONSERVED AREAS

It will fund grants and contracts between $50,000 to $150,000 per year for up to three years to support Indigenous communities and organizations as they consider, establish or maintain IPCAs.

IPCAs are defined and managed by Indigenous communities, and stewarded through Indigenous laws and knowledge systems. In the wake of the COP15 UN biodiversity summit, support for IPCAs will be increasingly important, as countries strive to protect 30 per cent of the planet while upholding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

For more information, contact:

• Rebecca Spring, senior communications manager: rspring@wwfcanada.org
• Tina Knezevic, communications specialist: tknezevic@wwfcanada.org
• Laurence Cayer-Desrosiers, manager, communications (French language inquiries): lcdesrosiers@wwfcanada.org

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program is launching its second scheduled intake and is now accepting applications through the following intake streams:

Scheduled

Eligible applicants with large projects to retrofit existing community buildings or projects to build new community buildings with total eligible costs ranging from $3 million to $25 million can apply now until February 28, 2023, 15:00 ET.

Continuous

The GICB Program continues to accept applications from eligible applicants for small and medium sized projects to retrofit existing community buildings ranging in total eligible cost from $100,000 to $3 million until February 28, 2023, 15:00 ET.

More information here.

First Nations Drinking Water Settlement Open for Claims from Communities and Individuals

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

WESTERN CANADA FUNDING: 

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is a suite of funding programs intended to 
enhance the resilience of local governments, First Nations, and communities in responding to 
emergencies. Funding is provided by the Province of BC and is administered by Union of BC 
Municipalities (UBCM).

More information here. 

Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund (ICBF)

EASTERN CANADA FUNDING

Indigenous Services Canada supporting First Nations recovery from Hurricane Fiona as part of federal government response

$4 million has been made immediately available through the Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) to address recovery efforts and various needs and expenses identified by First Nations communities. 

Read more.

ONTARIO SPECIFIC FUNDING

Opportunities Round-up: 

• • Grants available for Emergency Response and Recovery for small Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs in Central Interior BC. The program is to provide a monetary contribution to assist clients, Indigenous owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and First Nation Communities who have experienced business disruption and financial loss due to the 2021 BC Floods. Applications will be accepted until the BC Emergent Response and Recovery Grant fund is fully allocated.

  • Micro-Loan Fund Available for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs 
    The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) and participating Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) are pleased to announce the establishment of a new $5 million Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund.
    AFIs across the country are now delivering the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund on behalf of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED). First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women entrepreneurs from across the nation are now able to access loans up to $50,000 dollars to start or grow their business.

• • 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.  There is no deadline to apply.

    
    

  • 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.  There is no deadline for this funding.

  • Assistance to be Offered to Residents of Mud Lake for Relocation (nationtalk.ca)

    Assistance is being extended as a result of previous and potential flooding events which have been an ongoing concern for some residents. The decision to relocate or remain in the community will be up to each household. The amount of financial assistance payable to Permanent Residential Property Owners will be determined by the number of Permanent Residents living in the household.

    Residents who wish to avail of relocation assistance, can contact Jacob Kimball, Manager of Legislation, at jacobkimball@gov.nl.ca or 709-729-5473 for further information.

• • SCO Launches new survey seeking Citizen Input on Reforming Justice System (nationtalk.ca) 
    The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) has launched a new online survey with the goal of seeking input that will assist SCO in advocating for the creation of an effective, equitable, and safe justice system from a First Nations perspective. 
    The survey is the latest tool as part of SCO’s overall First Nation’s Justice Strategy, which includes a focus on restorative justice. SCO’s Restorative Justice Program serves several First Nations and has dedicated Community Justice Workers in six communities—Bloodvein, Long Plain, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi, Pinaymootang, Sagkeeng, and Sandy Bay First Nations. The program also serves Brokenhead, Dakota Tipi, Dauphin River, Ebb and Flow, Lake Manitoba, Lake St. Martin, Little Saskatchewan, Skownan, and beyond. 
    You can find the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCO-IJS
    
    
  • United Brotherhood of Carpenters Canadian District receives $37 Million to Support Employers Hiring First-Year Apprentices (nationtalk.ca) 
    This program will fund assist Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to hire new, first-year apprentices in the skilled trades and provide extra support for employers to assist apprentices from equity deserving groups. 
    Apprenticeships offer a great way to get the hands-on work experience needed to pursue a career in the skilled trades, and small business plays a fundamental role in Canada’s apprenticeship systems. 

    Many SMEs do not have the resources to offer apprenticeship training opportunities. In an effort to change this situation, Rowe and the UBC Canadian District have launched a two-year, $37-million program funded by the government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service to provide support to SMEs in Canadian construction and manufacturing “Red Seal” trades to help them to hire new, first-year apprentices needing a leg-up to begin lucrative careers in the well-respected skilled trades. 
    In addition to financial supports, the program provides assistance to help employers navigate the apprenticeship system, onboard new apprentices and set up the appropriate workplace training via a digital toolkit that can be found on their website at ubc-asp.ca.

In our Blog

If one of your New Years Resolutions was to start planning your field work for the upcoming season, then look no further for inspiration!  

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.  

https://info.sharedvaluesolutions.com/blog/2023-field-season

Plant the Seed- Making the Case for a Lands and Consultation Department

If there is development taking place on your lands, a clear point of contact between your Nation and those proposing new development is essential. At its core, a lands and consultation department plays that important role between the Nation and industry, regulators, or other external parties, such as NGOs, municipalities, or even other First Nations who want to make decisions that impact your Nation’s land base.  Having a dedicated department — however small — can make a lasting impact on engagement  with proponents, the Crown, and your community to be informed on issues, understand how a proposed activity or decision will impact Rights and interests, and then respond effectively to further your Nation’s goals.  

In our free eBook and webinars, we highlight the experiences of Indigenous Nations from across Turtle Island. Here are some thoughts they share on the value of a lands and consultation department: https://info.sharedvaluesolutions.com/blog/planting_the_seed_0

SVS eBooks for Download: Collect them all!

Check out our collection of informative eBooks that are available for free download:

• Protecting What Matters: Environmental Monitoring Ideas Bundle for Indigenous Nations
• Channeling the Wisdom of Indigenous Knowledge 
• Pandemic-Inspired Research Innovations
• Indigenous Planning Cheat Sheet
• Indigenous Business and the Resource Sector
• Indigenous Planning Starter Kit
• Indigenous Guardians and Development
• GIS Intro Guide: Harnessing the Power of Maps
• A Lands and Consultation Department Guidebook
• Planning Starter Kit

Download our eBooks here

We're Hiring!

We are always looking for people who are dynamic, entrepreneurial, exhibit strong leadership, take responsibility for their actions, have good judgement, are hard workers, love collaborating with a team, care deeply about the environment and the wellbeing of society, fill a niche related to environmental and regulatory processes, and, of course, know how to have fun!

Senior Regulatory Specialist/Mining

About Us: Shared Value Solutions

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:

• Impact Benefit Agreement Negotiation Support 
• Technical Reviews and Regulatory Process Support 
• Community and Economic Development Planning 
• Indigenous Knowledge and Land Use Studies 
• Environmental Monitoring 
• Guardians Program Development 
• Climate Change Readiness 
• GIS and Mapping 
• and a whole lot more...www.sharedvaluesolutions.com