Indigenous communities across Greater Victoria will receive $506,000 from the Victoria Foundation starting on April 23.
The new funding will be distributed to 17 applicants and support social, cultural, and legal infrastructure for Nations in Greater Victoria.
The Indigenous Priorities Fund developed and provided the funding for Indigenous priorities. Four local Nations and 13 other applicants received funding.
“We wholeheartedly support the important work of the grant recipients, and we recognize and respect that it is essential for this process to be Indigenous-led,” CEO Sandra Richardson said in a news release.
Richardson said the new initiative builds on the ongoing relationship between Indigenous communities and the Victoria Foundation. The Foundation’s all-Indigenous Reconciliation Task Group led the granting process.
“Developing new avenues for supporting Indigenous communities is fundamentally important to Reconciliation and creating a vibrant, caring community for all,” said Tamara Napoleon, the Victoria Foundation’s new board chair and member of the Indigenous Granting Advisory.
One of the recipients was the Tsawout First Nation, which received $38,589 to purchase a new van for transportation to and from cultural events.
“In addition to providing an important opportunity for children and families to be on the land, the passenger van will also support food delivery to children and families in the community,” said Amber Cunningham, Tsawout Head Start Coordinator.
The Literacy Circle Society, in collaboration with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, also received a $10,000 grant for a literary learning pilot project.
“The Literacy Circle Society provides a safe space for literacy training to Indigenous Elders and adults, residential and day school survivors, and intergenerational survivors,” said Elder Yvonne Rigsby-Jones (Snuneymuwx), Literacy Circle Vice President and Founding Executive Director of Tsow-Tun-Le-Lum Society.
The other recipients include the Esquimalt Nation, the Songhees Nation, the Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay) First Nation, the Mayne Island Conservancy Society and WSÁNEĆ Leadership Council, the University of Victoria and Songhees Nation, BC Amateur Sport Fund, Peers Victoria Resources Society, Michif Language Revitalization Circle Society, Stqeeye’ Learning Society, Oasis Society for the Spiritual Health of Victoria, Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services Society, Island Métis Family & Community Services Society, Take a Hike Youth Mental Health Foundation, and Bike Victoria Society.
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