Braided Knowledge Grant Heritage – Canada

The Braided Knowledge grant is the first of its kind in Canada. It aims to support projects that demonstrate these interconnections, leading to outcomes that are essential to the revitalization of B.C. First Nation cultures.

An important element of the Braided Knowledge grant is the requirement for mentorship and knowledge transfer. Projects will enable the transfer of essential knowledge to new generations. Through this, the grant will support B.C. First Nation Peoples in reconnecting with their heritage and will build connections between generations.

Objective

• The objective of the Braided Knowledge: Weaving B.C. First Nations’ Knowledge Through Generations grant is to support projects that revitalize and focus on the wholistic and integrated nature of B.C. First Nations’ arts, languages, and heritage. Funding support for arts, languages, and heritage has typically been siloed to each individual practice, yet these practices are interwoven and interdependent. This grant acknowledges the connections of these three areas and will facilitate projects that align with Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
• The Braided Knowledge grant supports B.C. First Nation community projects that weave together the arts, languages, and heritage. With an emphasis on mentoring and apprenticeship, this grant helps ensure the protection, transmission, and intergenerational knowledge transfer of B.C. First Nations’ languages, arts, and heritage.

Funding Information

• Applicants can apply for between $10,000 and $25,000 for their proposed project.
• The funding term for the Braided Knowledge grant is as follows:
  • Projects completed between: May 27, 2024, and September 5, 2025.
  • Interim report due by: January 17, 2025
  • All projects completed and final reports due by: September 5, 2025
  • All funds must be expended by: September 5, 2025.

Eligible Projects

• Eligibility for this grant is purposefully broad, to allow for innovative and creative project proposals. Projects should weave together elements of arts, languages and heritage. Additionally, all projects must demonstrate a mentorship component, in which cultural knowledge and practical skills are passed on from expert knowledge holders, fluent speakers, and artists to younger learners.
• Please note, mentorship/apprenticeship involves long-term learning opportunities that span the duration of the project.
• Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
  • Projects that link public art, storytelling, and cultural teachings.
  • A place name project that incorporates language, cultural heritage information, storytelling and art.
  • Apprenticeships and mentorships between Elders, knowledge keepers, and community members.
  • Projects that demonstrate the relationship between stories, songs, place names, cultural heritage sites, and landscapes.
  • Projects that develop tools and materials that will help safeguard Indigenous language, arts and cultural heritage.

Eligibility Criteria

• B.C.-based organizations that have a mandate or focus that includes First Nations’ heritage, languages, and arts. Eligible applicants include:
  • Recognized First Nations governments, bands or tribal councils located in B.C.
  • Not-for-profit societies registered in B.C., in good standing and governed by recognized B.C. First Nations individuals (at least 75% of directors identify as members of recognized B.C. First Nations)
  • Urban and off-reserve B.C. First Nations organizations (at least 75% of directors identify as members of recognized B.C. First Nations)
  • B.C. First Nations–led museums and cultural spaces (at least 75% of directors identify as members of recognized B.C. First Nations)
  • B.C. First Nations schools and adult education centres operating in B.C. on First Nations lands (Please note that applications from First Nations schools that serve one community must be submitted through their respective Nation/Band Office)
• FPCC strongly encourages collaboration. Only one application (per grant program) per Band Office, Tribal Council or Society/Organization will be eligible for funding.

Ineligible

• Organizations or individuals who are not from a B.C. First Nation
• Collectives
• For-profit organizations and businesses, entities, individuals and commercial ventures
• Organizations or previous grant recipients with incomplete or outstanding reporting with FPCC or FPCF. These applicants are ineligible until all required documentation is complete.

For more information, visit FPCC.