Indigenous Youth Grant Recipients

Since 2022, we’ve awarded more than 70 grants to Indigenous-led charities and non-profits advancing community-driven solutions with Indigenous youth. Their leadership not only uplifts youth directly but also strengthens the wider ecosystem of Indigenous-led organizations across Canada. Highlights include:
$3.5M+
in grant funding awarded
700+
young people directly impacted by active program funding
75%
of active initiatives support youth in rural and remote communities
100%
of funding directed to Indigenous-led organizations or programs

Featured Grant Recipients

Gitanmaax Band — School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria
$25,000

To facilitate a series of culturally centered workshops based on youth-identified themes.

North Central Family Centre
$30,000

To sustain and strengthen their year-round programs and services for youth.

Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre
$35,000

To maintain and expand culturally relevant programs meeting urgent community needs.

Sîhtoskâtowin Program — MakeWay Foundation
$30,000

To support Indigenous-led initiatives advancing health, food sovereignty, and cultural resurgence.

Weengushk Film Institute
$40,000

To enable comprehensive film and media arts training.

White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge
$35,000

To deliver a five-month cultural revitalization and leadership program connecting Indigenous youth and Elders.

2025/2026 Grant Recipients

The Indigenous Youth grant program continues to evolve, with our newest partners reflecting a stronger focus on grassroots initiatives and emergent organizations.

  • Future Generations Foundation
    $250,000 of $1,000,000 to address generational impacts through education and culture grants

    Year 2 of 4

  • Ganawishkadawe — Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health at Women’s College Hospital
    $250,000 of $1,000,000 to transform healthcare spaces and systems through education and research initiatives

    Year 2 of 4

  • Gitanmaax Band — School of Child and Youth Care at University of Victoria
    $25,000 to facilitate a series of culturally centered workshops based on youth-identified themes
  • The Iskotew Foundation
    $15,000 to increase Indigenous youth engagement in firefighting and emergency services career pathways
  • Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre
    $35,000 to maintain and expand culturally relevant programs meeting urgent community needs
  • Sîhtoskâtowin Program — MakeWay Foundation
    $30,000 to support Indigenous-led initiatives advancing health, food sovereignty, and cultural resurgence
  • White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge
    $35,000 to deliver a five-month cultural revitalization and leadership program connecting Indigenous youth and Elders
  • Yukon First Nation Education Directorate
    $40,000 to lead summer numeracy camps for Indigenous youth in rural communities

2024/2025 Grant Recipients

Throughout our previous fiscal year of granting, we worked to build and strengthen relationships with partners old and new.

  • A̱ka̱la Outdoor Education Society
    $20,000 to support two Youth Leadership Paddle Programs
  • Anishnabeg Outreach
    $50,000 to facilitate rollout of the AONest digital mental health support platform
  • Annaumakkaijiit (Annauma) Community Foundation
    $50,000 to support community-led initiatives that improve the lives of Inuit in Nunavut
  • Brandon Friendship Centre
    $50,000 to prevent youth homelessness through holistic programming
  • Brantford Native Housing
    $50,000 to support economically vulnerable Indigenous young people
  • Feathers of Hope
    $30,000 to create an online learning and resource portal for Indigenous youth
  • Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre
    $50,000 to provide wages for Youth Leaders and Mentors
  • Fort McKay Métis Community Association
    $25,000 to facilitate youth leadership development and community engagement
  • Future Generations Foundation
    $250,000 of $1,000,000 to address generational impacts through education and culture grants

    Year 1 of 4

  • Ganawishkadawe — Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health at Women’s College Hospital
    $250,000 of $1,000,000 to transform healthcare spaces and systems through education and research initiatives

    Year 1 of 4

  • Gwagwa̱ltama Revitalization Society
    $21,500 to connect Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw youth to language revitalization internships
  • Indigenous Women Outdoors Society
    $24,500 to uplift holistic wellness for Indigenous girls
  • Indigenous Youth Roots
    $50,000 to support professional development and training
  • Inuit Circumpolar Council Foundation
    $50,000 to build capacity and knowledge around the expansion of Inuit control over child welfare
  • Kehkimin Wolastoqey Language Immersion School
    $25,000 to develop a media player app and textbook for Wolastoqey language revitalization
  • Kitselas First Nation
    $3,300 to provide gym space for their youth basketball program
  • Kw’umut Lelum Foundation
    $40,000 to support their youth capacity building program ‘Snuw’uy’ulh for Success’
  • Listuguj Powwow Committee
    $10,000 to facilitate youth community engagement and volunteering opportunities
  • Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre
    $50,000 to support their Indigenous Youth Podcast Certificate Program
  • Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin Foundation
    $30,000 to empower the Ogimaawabiitong Youth Council
  • Men of the North
    $25,000 to deliver the 2025 Yard Challenge and Youth Mentoring program
  • Moose Hide Foundation
    $25,000 to expand the 10 Men Challenge promoting well-being and leadership
  • Native Child and Family Services of Toronto
    $50,000 to support the 7th Generation Image Makers Studio Program
  • Nawalakw Culture Project — MakeWay Charitable Society
    $40,000 to revitalize the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw language and culture
  • North Central Family Centre
    $30,000 to sustain and strengthen their year-round programs and services for youth
  • Northern Youth Leadership — MakeWay Charitable Society
    $30,000 to support leadership initiatives for Indigenous youth from remote communities
  • Norway House Cree Nation
    $50,000 to equip youth entrepreneurs with digital literacy and business training
  • Outside Looking In
    $50,000 to support the 2024/25 OLI Dance program
  • Red Deer Native Friendship Society
    $35,000 to provide a supportive and culturally enriching environment for Indigenous youth
  • Seabird Island Band
    $5,000 to support the 2024 Sto:lo Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative
  • Shining Mountains Community Living Services
    $20,000 to deliver a capacity building effort focused on youth wellness
  • Six Nations of the Grand River
    $50,000 to engage youth in developing community specific research priorities
  • Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre
    $30,000 to enhance their Youth Fridays holistic programming
  • Temagami First Nation
    $30,000 to support their community-based summer arts programming
  • The Arctic Rose Foundation
    $50,000 to develop and grow Human Resource capacity and supports
  • Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth
    $50,000 to strengthen the organization’s financial staffing capacity
  • VIDEA
    $30,000 to provide weekly virtual sessions that focus on wellness and cultural connection
  • Wasan Island Land Back Initiative – Social Innovation Canada
    $50,000 to support the return of Wasan Island to Indigenous stewardship
  • Weengushk Film Institute
    $40,000 to enable comprehensive film and media arts training

2023/2024 Grant Recipients

Our second full year of granting to Indigenous-led initiatives saw an increase in funding – as well as number of grantee partnerships – that doubles the year previous.

  • A̱ka̱la Outdoor Education Society
    $10,000 to support a gathering for alumni of their Youth Leadership Paddling Program
  • Awo Taan Healing Lodge
    $35,000 to expand programing for youth residents of their emergency shelter program
  • ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency
    $50,000 to provide a newer, larger space for their drop-in programming
  • Gathering Our Medicine — Camp Fircom
    $22,000 to support a multi-day cultural-relational experience for youth and their families
  • Hulitan Family and Community Services Society
    $50,000 to extend their Healing Generations Counselling Program
  • Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program — Ever Active Schools
    $50,000 to build capacity and leadership for sustained community-based programming
  • Indspire
    $25,000 to reduce barriers for remote students to attend their annual Soaring gathering
  • Kenora Chiefs Advisory — Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin Foundation
    $25,000 to bring Elders and Knowledge Keepers to their Fall Harvest event
  • Kitselas First Nation
    $9,300 to provide gym space for their community basketball program
  • Moose Hide Campaign
    $20,000 to create workshops featuring Northern Elders and Knowledge Keepers
  • Orillia Native Women’s Group
    $20,000 to engage youth towards program development and leadership
  • Outside Looking In
    $50,000 to support their dance programming
  • Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut
    $25,000 to host a leadership and capacity building summit
  • Red Deer Native Friendship Society
    $25,000 to provide opportunities for personal growth and cultural connection
  • Strong Earth Alliance
    $15,000 to promote cultural and spiritual revitalization
  • The Healing of the Seven Generations
    $25,000 to promote positive connections between youth and members of the criminal justice system
  • The Nihewan Foundation
    $50,000 to promote reciprocal learning between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students
  • Victoria Native Friendship Centre
    $35,000 to develop leadership and wellness through climate action
  • We Matter
    $50,000 to create a virtual safe space for learning and sharing