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EDMONTON — Alberta’s government is opening applications for more than $16 million in grants supporting Indigenous-led community projects focused on safety, culture, economic development and language revitalization.
The province says the funding will be distributed through three Indigenous Relations programs aimed at helping Indigenous communities and organizations develop initiatives tied to local priorities.
The funding includes support through the Community Support Fund, Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative and Aboriginal Business Investment Fund.
Together, the programs support projects ranging from youth programming and cultural revitalization to community safety initiatives and Indigenous-owned business development.
“When communities have access to funding that respects their priorities, real progress follows,” Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney said in a statement.
“Indigenous communities are leading work to create safer spaces, strengthen languages and cultures and build programs for the next generation.”
The province says the Community Support Fund provides $4 million annually for Indigenous-led initiatives focused on preventing violence and improving safety and economic security for Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
Another nearly $4 million per year is available through the Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative for cultural and economic development projects, including arts, language revitalization and community-based economic initiatives.
The Aboriginal Business Investment Fund will provide $8.3 million in grants supporting Indigenous community-owned businesses and economic development projects intended to create jobs and strengthen long-term sustainability.
Janet Delorme, executive director of Nitawahsin Ltd., said the funding will help Indigenous communities respond to ongoing safety concerns while strengthening cultural supports and resilience.
“With this funding, Nitawahsin can respond to the ongoing violence faced by Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people by supporting Indigenous-led programs focused on community safety,” Delorme said.
The province says examples of past grant recipients and projects are available online and highlight locally driven approaches to community well-being and economic growth across Alberta.
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