Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program (Canada)

Objectives

• The objectives of the Program are to:
  • Support the efforts of First Nation communities and First Nation organizations to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen First Nation languages
  • Support First Nation communities to create new First Nation language speakers, increase fluency, immersion opportunities, increase use of First Nation languages, and the documentation of First Nation languages.
  • Support long term planning and opportunities to access long term funding for language development, language and cultural revitalization.

Funding Information

• The project funding is up to $100,000.00 for the development of a language plan.
• For Single Year funding must be incurred between April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
• FNCCEC is not responsible for any expenses incurred prior to April 1, 2025.

Eligible Expenses

• Wages specifically related to project activity such as coordinator or project lead.
• Professional Fees (honoraria) for elders, knowledge keepers, language speakers
• Contractors/Consultants Fees: A maximum of 10% of the total budget/request in funding (consultants fees cannot be the only expense for the project).
• Equipment purchases such as computers, cameras required for project activity: purchases cannot exceed 15% of the total budget/request in funding.
• Rent and utilities related to the project activity.
• Supplies and resource materials related to project activity.
• Photocopying and printing related to project activity.
• Communication and translation services.
• General liability insurance.
• Costs associated with information technology internet, website fees, including purchases and update of hardware and software.
• Travel expenses – must not exceed the rates set by Treasury Board (refer to treasury board site for rates).
• Administrative cost cannot exceed 15% of the total budget/request in funding and must be related to the coordination of the project such as bookkeeping service, office supplies, telephone, fax, utilities, postage fees, photocopying, printing, rent for office space, audit, legal, translation.

Ineligible Expenses

• Capital purchases such as vehicles, boats, bikes, etc., construction and renovations or repairs
• Salaries and honoraria for board members in the delivery of regular operations
• Travel outside of Canada
• Start up and/or operational costs for business ventures or development of cultural and professional industries
• Support for development of cultural and professional industries or institutions
• Research fees, operational and administrative costs of an organization and institution existing or newly created programs and studies
• Attendance in post secondary academic courses offering language lessons
• In school K-12 programs (includes First Nation and non First Nation schools and public programs)
• Teacher certification
• Conferences or conference fees or travel to conferences
• Awards or bursaries
• Contingency and miscellaneous fees
• Deficit recovery
• Volunteer hours
• Charitable donations

Eligibility Criteria

• For the purpose the FNCCEC-ILC Funding Program, First Nations are defined as those who are legally and federally recognized in Canada under the Indian Act, and/or Treaties recognized and affirm by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
• Specific to Ontario
  • First Nations Communities/Governments/Bands/Tribal Councils
  • First Nation cultural, language and education centres
  • First Nation Band or Tribal Council operated education institutions
  • First Nation led institution including their accredited programs
  • First Nation community based Ad-hoc committee/group and must provide a Letter of Support OR a Band Council Resolution from the First Nation community’s Band Council or Tribal Council
  • First Nation not for profit organizations (incorporated and unincorporated) includes community based or urban organization and must provide:
    • Letter of Support from a federally recognized First Nation Band Council OR First Nation Tribal Council;
    • The organization must demonstrate how the First Nation urban community members will be involved with the project activity and how the First Nation members will benefit from the project activity;
    • The organization’s budget must demonstrate the project funding will not result in income generation for the sole benefit of the organization, ie: offsetting overall operational costs of the organization or to supplement loss revenue from other funding source; or to hire new core or program staff.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individual applicants
• Public institutions (includes provincial schools and post secondary)
• For profit organizations
• Provincial/Territorial/Municipal/Federal government and their agencies
• Previous applicants funded by FNCCEC ILC or Canadian Heritage ILC are not in good standing with completion of activities
• Non-Indigenous and Indigenous Not for Profit organizations and agencies
• Non-Indigenous agencies
• Any organization outside of Canada

For more information, visit FNCCEC.