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Following are some examples of projects initiated with support from foundations. Sign on as a collaborator and post your own examples here.
Chippewas of Nawash Unceded Nation (Neyaashiinigmiing) Two First Nation bands in the Grey-Bruce Huron-Perth region are blending traditional environmental knowledge with scientific expertise in order to lend an indigenous voice to important local land use planning discussions. A $25,000 one-year OTF grant (awarded June 2005) helped the Chippewas of Nawash and the Saugeen First Nations Bands initiate discussions with local industries and governments about proposed development projects and the environmental impact they might have on traditional territories. Local industries and municipalities are now proactively seeking comment from the bands’ Environmental Office on new projects, such as proposed tree cutting near reserves, potential housing developments in Bruce Peninsula region, local quarry proposals and power generation plans. The Ontario Trillium Foundation Great Grants Awards 2009 recipient.
Akwesasne Economic Development Agency – AEDA (Cornwall) Preserving the Mohawk language in Akwesasne, the second largest First Nation in Canada, is a labour of love. This multi-year project first saw the development of a multi-media Mohawk language initiative in 2005 with more than 1,300 people participating ($75,000 awarded). The initiative has expanded to include stories, songs, art and images, which are important components when archiving an aboriginal language. As a result of its early success, the organization has been asked to share expertise with other aboriginal communities as they develop their own multi-media aboriginal language programs. A $100,000 grant over two years (awarded June 2008) will help AEDA continue their work as well as expand its reach to other aboriginal communities. The Ontario Trillium Foundation Great Grants Awards 2009 recipient.
Aboriginal Mapping Network
Ecotrust Canada has initiated a number of partnerships with coastal Aboriginal communities and business enterprises designed to foster a “conservation economy”. As part of this, they created the Aboriginal Mapping Network in partnership with the Gitxsan and Ahousaht First Nations, with support from the Moore, Gordon and Wilburforce Foundations. They also produced Chief Kerry’s Moose: A Guide to Land Use and Occupancy mapping, research design and data collection in partnership with the BC Union of Indian Chiefs, with support from the Gordon Foundation. A follow-up, more detailed guidebook will be published in late 2008, with additional support from the John and Pat McCutcheon Charitable Foundation. 6 Within
This six-part documentary series will spotlight issues facing children and youth at risk and in government care while creating in parallel a social movement to inspire change for the betterment of those children and youth across Canada. The Laidlaw Foundation, Atkinson Foundation and the Law Foundation of Ontario supported this work, which includes a documentary on two northern Ontario Aboriginal communities: Pikangikum and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninwug. Finding Our Way: A Sexual and Reproductive Health Sourcebook for Aboriginal Communities, was produced in 2002 by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada and the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada, with the support of The EJLB Foundation. Finding our Way is a sexual and reproductive health sourcebook for Aboriginal communities Temagami Community Foundation: Grants at Work
The Temagami Community Foundation serves a Municipality of about 2,300 square kilometres situated within Ontario's near north. The community is made up of people who live full time in the north as well as cottagers, summer visitors, campers and others. TCF emerged as a partnership between First Nations peoples, other full time residents and cottagers, and local Aboriginal involvement on the Board of Directors is ensured. The Supreme Court's 1999 Marshall Decision recognized the treaty rights of the Mi'kmaq to fish commercially. The Department of Fisheries (DFO) responded by negotiating deals for licences, boats and training - so long as communities accepted their jurisdiction. So far, 32 out of the 34 First Nations in the Maritimes have signed these "Marshall Agreements." In this film by Martha Stiegman, Sherry Pictou and Chief Frank Meuse, Jr. explain why Bear River First Nation has refused to sign. The film is product of an initiative supported by the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia.
 Staking The Claim is a video and print educational resource about the 30 year journey of a small group of Inuit and other Canadians seeking to define a new relationship with their country through the negotiation of land claims agreements. Four young documentary guides (Stacey Aglok MacDonald, Tommy Akulukjuk, Pauloosie Akeeagok and David Joanasie) take the viewer on a journey as they discover the events and meet the people that have shaped their past and changed their future. There are no scripts, no outside interpretations - simply the voices of those who've played a part in shaping a legacy conversing with those who will inherit it.
Watch a video from Thunder Bay TBTV news on a program initiated with support from the Kenny Family Foundation, which aims to create a brighter future for Aboriginal youth in northwestern Ontario and expresses the Aboriginal philosophy of seven generations by doing so. Wasaya Airlines, owned and operated by 10 Aboriginal Communities in Northwestern Ontario, has now taken on the lion’s share of operating support to ensure the camp continues. |