FUNDING AND RESOURCES
Funding
BCMA Resilience Fund. Applications will be accepted until all funds are allocated. British Columbia’s museums, galleries, Indigenous cultural centres, and heritage organizations are experiencing unprecedented hardship due to the COVID-19 shutdowns. In partnership with the BC Government, the BC Museums Association (BCMA) is launching a Resilience Fund to offer small, one-time grants to organizations facing an immediate need for funds. Organizations with annual budgets under $200,000 will be eligible for grants of $2,000. Organizations with annual budgets over $200,000 will be eligible for grants of $4,000. Funds will be administered in order of application, keeping in mind adequate distribution of funding across the province and organizations serving populations with significant financial need. The funding available through the BCMA Resilience Fund is limited and we anticipate high demand for grants, so we urge organizations to be mindful of this when deciding whether or not to apply for funding.
Community Gaming Grants - Arts and Culture. Deadline April 30, 2020. Applications for this sector must provide public access to and/or preservation of the arts, heritage or culture. Local organizations can apply for funding up to $100,000 per year, regional organizations up to $225,000 per year, and province-wide organizations up to $250,000 a year. A support person is available to for Indigenous organizations and First Nations applying for these grants through the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. Submit your request at: gaminggrantsupport@bcaafc.com or call 250-388-5522.
Childcare BC New Spaces Fund. Deadline May 11, 2020. The Childcare BC New Spaces Fund provides funding to build quality, licensed child care in all regions of the province (on and off reserve). Indigenous Governments are eligible for up to $3 million in capital funding and Indigenous non-profit societies are eligible for up to $1.5 million (both at 100% Provincial contribution) to build a child care centre, renovate a building to create child care, or renovate to expand current child care services. Applications are adjudicated and awarded funding on their own merit (no competition among applicants). A second application window is scheduled to open in July 2020 and will close in November 2020. If your community or organization has been considering creating or expanding child care, please contact Michelle Kirby, Senior Manager of Partnerships and Engagement, with the Ministry of Children and Family Development at Michelle.Kirby@gov.bc.ca or 778-698-2215.
Resilience BC Spokes - Call for Proposals. Deadline May 19, 2020. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is seeking to establish anti racism services in up to 40 communities through the Resilience BC anti-racism network. Up to 40 communities will be selected to deliver Spoke services in all regions of the province including Northeast, Nechako, North Coast, Cariboo, Thompson/Okanagan, Kootenay, Lower Mainland, and Vancouver Island and Coast. Each Spoke will deliver services within its geographic community. The term of the contract is for one (1) year from contact signing, with up to three (3) additional one-year options to extend at the sole discretion of the Province. This network will be delivered in a “hub and spoke” model. The purpose of this Call for Proposal (CFP) is to engage with service providers to provide the spoke services in communities in BC.
Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships (ACBTP) and Indigenous Skills Training Development Fund (ISTDF). The Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training (AEST) delivers two programs that provide funding to Indigenous communities (Communities) to access skills training and post-secondary education leading to employment, self-employment or further education.
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Please contact AEST staff to obtain more information on criteria and how to apply. By email: AEST.IndigenousPrograms@gov.bc.ca or by phone: Yavhel 250-216-4701; Delphine 250-516-3159 or Michael (236) 638-3507
Exhibition Circulation Fund - Museums Assistance Program. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. Exhibition Circulation Fund component assists museums with the costs related to the hosting of travelling exhibitions originating from another museum or from a federal heritage institution and the borrowing of artefacts from any of the National museums of Canada.
Movable Cultural Property Grants. (Government of Canada). No Deadline. Movable Cultural Property Grants help designated organizations acquire cultural property of outstanding significance and national importance to Canada, as outlined in the Cultural Property Export and Import Act. Designated organizations are located in Canada and demonstrate the ability to ensure the long-term preservation of cultural property. Grants can be used to purchase cultural property: for which an export permit has been denied; or that is important to Canada’s national heritage and available for purchase outside the country.
Mental Health & Wellness Funding. The First Nations Health Authority, the Province and Canada have each committed $10 million dollars over two years (2019-2021) to support First Nations communities and Nations to come together to plan, design and deliver initiatives in support of the social determinants of mental health and wellness. The funding approach recognizes that each community and Nation is at a different place on their journey to health and wellness. To learn more and how to apply, visit: https://www.fnha.ca/about/work-with-us/funding-opportunities
Federal Indigenous Languages Act
Have your say: Consultations on the Implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act
The Government of Canada is undertaking both online and in person consultation and engagement sessions across Canada on the implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act, with an initial focus on the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and directors. These consultation and engagement sessions will help the Minister of Canadian Heritage make recommendations to the Governor in Council for the appointment of a Commissioner and up to three directors. There will also be an opportunity for preliminary discussions on the future Indigenous Languages Investment Framework. Consultation and engagement sessions focused on the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and directors are expected to be completed by June 2020.
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Read the discussion guide
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Complete the online questionnaire
You may also share your ideas and suggestions, or request a copy of the questionnaire, through email.
Covid-19 Information
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Covid-19 Resources and Response from FNESC, FNSA and IAHLA: http://www.fnesc.ca/covid19/
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Covid-19 First Peoples’ Cultural Council Resource Page: http://www.fpcc.ca/about-us/news-room/news04142001.aspx
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BC Alliance for Arts and Culture: https://www.allianceforarts.com/covid-19/#funding
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Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada - Stimulus Fund: https://indigenoustourism.ca/corporate/tourism-development-funding-support-program/
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Resources for Canadian artists and freelancers: https://www.cbc.ca/arts/here-s-where-canadian-artists-and-freelancers-can-find-help-during-covid-19-shutdowns-1.5503360
On-line Connections During the Covid-19 Pandemic
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FirstVoices: https://www.firstvoices.com/
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On-line Cree and Ojibway Language Classes Thursday Afternoons (Pacific Association of First Nations Women): https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAFNW?src=hash
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Cree-speaking raven puppet gives COVID-19 health information: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/covid-health-information-cree-raven-1.5528099
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Virtual nature walk offers ‘another way to connect to our homelands’: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/how-indigenous-people-are-making-connections-and-finding-support-during-covid-19-pandemic-1.5542924/virtual-nature-walk-offers-another-way-to-connect-to-our-homelands-1.5544044?fbclid=IwAR34NLpbLeuvZ6pfgMD342E8aqn0B7a1_MFTCDspsYA4FWEXznXKd2fmj68
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‘Food is our medicine’: How a Navajo chef is helping Native American elders during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/how-indigenous-people-are-making-connections-and-finding-support-during-covid-19-pandemic-1.5542924/food-is-our-medicine-how-a-navajo-chef-is-helping-native-american-elders-during-covid-19-pandemic-1.5542925
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Group inspires Indigenous artists to channel creative energy into face masks: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/facebook-group-indigenous-masks-1.5544397
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‘Hold your head up’: watch Buffy Sainte-Marie’s rousing spoken word performance: https://www.cbc.ca/music/hold-your-head-up-watch-buffy-sainte-marie-s-rousing-spoken-word-performance-1.5546234
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Culture online: https://cultureonline.ca/
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British Columbia’s online directory of province’s rich arts, culture, museum, and heritage sector
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Royal BC Museum Digital Programs: https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/engage-us-home
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BC Museum Association Watercooler Wednesdays: http://museumsassn.bc.ca/brain/learning-opportunities/bcma-mentors/watercooler-wednesdays/
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Connect with Museum, Gallery and Heritage professionals from across British Columbia. Gather around the digital watercooler to catch up, chat, ask questions and seek advice.
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Events
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Creative By Nature. Archives Association of BC/ARMA Vancouver Island Chapter. May 8, 2020. On-line.
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Chief Atahm Indigenous Languages Conference. Indigenous Literacies: Language and the Land. May 28 - 29, 2020. Chase. CANCELLED.
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Global Indigeneity: Language from the Four Directions. June 25 - 27, 2020. Kingston, Ontario.
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Chief Atahm’s First Nations Languages Teacher Training, Intro to TPRS. July 13 -17, 2020. Chase. CANCELLED.
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Chief Atahm’s First Nations Languages Teacher Training, Language Program Planning and Assessment. July 20 -24, 2020. Chase. CANCELLED.
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Adäka Cultural Festival. June 26 - July 2, 2020. Whitehorse.
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S’TEṈISTOLW̱ Indigenous Adult and Post-Secondary Education Conference. August 25 - 28, 2020. Victoria.
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Métis Early Years Family Gathering Camps. August 28 - 30, 2020. Chetwynd.
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BCMA’s Annual Conference: Stronger Together: Resilience, Collaboration, and Inclusion in a Changing. October 4 - 6, 2020. Surrey.
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Museum Computer Network Conference: Sustainability. Week of November 9th, 2020. On-line.
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Annual Indigenous Education Conference (FNESC). December 3 - 5, 2020. Vancouver.
Opportunities
Ministry of Youth at Métis Nation BC is looking to hire Knowledge Keepers and Workshop Hosts who are able to join virtual events from home and share their skills and expertise to a live audience. Contact .
Heritage Conservation Planning Course (on-line). University of Victoria Continuing Studies. Course runs from May 4, 2020 to August 9, 2020. This course provides an overview of heritage planning, the field within heritage conservation that addresses interventions to historic places in the context of urban (and rural) planning and development. The objective of heritage planning is to manage change wisely. The course will use a pragmatic approach to consider individual and collective historic places (e.g., buildings, historic districts, cultural landscapes, archaeological sites) in a wide variety of geographical and physical contexts. Heritage planning will be addressed within the larger framework of sustainability.
LE,NONET Bursary. Deadline May 15, 2020. LE,NONET Bursaries are intended to supplement existing financial resources for Indigenous (First Nations Status/non-Status, Inuit and Métis) students currently enrolled for the summer semester in full time undergraduate or graduate studies at the University of Victoria. Please see application packages for eligibility details and bursary terms. Applications are available by contacting lenonet@uvic.ca.
The MCN Scholarship Program Awards. Deadline May 17, 2020. Scholarships are available to 15 qualified emerging professionals from the cultural sector to conduct research, work with MCN Special Interest Groups, and ultimately produce a work contributing to the publication of a “What’s emerging in the field?” book. Applications will need to respond to and align with this year’s conference theme: “Sustainability: Preserve/Progress.” The MCN Scholarship Program is made possible by the support of The Kress Foundation.
Announcements
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Read the Spring/Winter FPCC newsletter: http://www.fpcc.ca/about-us/news-room/news02272001.aspx
Job Postings
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Policy and Relationship Development Officer, Government of British Columbia. Deadline May 19, 2020. This position is within the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Preference may be given to those with experience with Indigenous language revitalization and language learning. To view the posting: https://bcpublicservice.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/68690
Resources
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Language for Life: Nourishing Indigenous Languages in the Home. The First Peoples’ Cultural Council has released this new handbook. The purpose of this handbook is to help families bring their language into their home on an everyday basis. Speaking your language in the home benefits children and families as it restores connections to identity and culture. The free, practical handbook offers fun tools and activities to guide families as they begin to learn their language together and help younger generations build a stronger connection to their culture.
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HELISET TŦE SḰÁL (pronounced ha-LEE-sut-te-skwayl) – ‘Let the Languages Live’ – 2019 International Conference on Indigenous Languages focused on the revitalization of Indigenous languages, held in Victoria, B.C. The First Peoples’ Cultural Council has a new page to share information about the conference proceedings and also provide links to resources, programs and funding to support community language revitalization work.
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Indigitization Program Videos: You can now watch our Indigitization Futures Forum videos broken down by speaker - so now you only need about fifteen minutes to learn more about digitization and language preservation.
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NEȾOLṈEW̱ Indigenous Language Learning Atlas. NILLA provides an online space for Indigenous communities, advocates, researchers, and allies to engage and exchange knowledge, and to share their own and learn about others’ successful language learning strategies within Canada.
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Our Living Languages Learning Portal. What can you learn about Indigenous languages in BC? Check out the portal!
Media
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Métis dancers keep connected by putting a spin on a social media trend. April 11, 2020.
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Ultrasound technology helps Hul’q’umi’num’ language learners pronounce sounds authentically. April 5, 2020.
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Why preserving cultural and language diversity is vital to protecting biodiversity. March 23, 2020.
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#ItsNotAboutYou: First Nations coming together for their elders amid COVID-19 pandemic. March 20, 2020.
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10 Heritage Leaders Who Just Happen to be Women. March 8, 2020.
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Indigenous experts call for repatriation of cultural artifacts and remains from museums. March 6, 2020.
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Ideafest: How language gives voice to identity. March 3, 2020.
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Legacies of 2010: A catalyst for BC’s Indigenous art landscape.
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Edōsdi Judith Thompson receives national teaching honour. February 20, 2020.
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New book aims to increase fluency among Indigenous language speakers. February 6, 2020.
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Alaska Native language speakers to be counted by new coalition survey. February 4, 2020.