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THIRTY-ONE ONTARIO ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES AND GROUPS RECEIVE $2.2 MILLION IN GRANTS FROM THE ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is awarding $2,449,400 to 31 projects benefiting Aboriginal communities and community groups across Ontario. Funding represents $1,756,200 in Community grants made to 26 local eligible organizations and $693,200
in Province-Wide grants awarded to five larger or umbrella organizations whose projects will serve Aboriginal communities across the province.

Many of the latest grants assist community organizations in expanding social programs for residents of all ages, to develop literacy and work-related skills, improve community facilities for increased public participation, and boost the local economy.

QUOTES

“The McGuinty Government in partnership with the Ontario Trillium Foundation helps build healthy and vibrant communities across the province.  The investments made through these community grants support local organizations working to enhance the well-being of all Ontarians including, children, youth, parents and seniors alike.”

- Michael Chan
Ontario Minister of Tourism and Culture

“OTF funding helps new and more established groups to grow stronger and ensure that the interests and needs of local residents are served in their communities. Behind each grant is a commitment to community growth and development.”

-  Janet Passmore
Acting Chair, Board of Directors, OTF

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

A leading grantmaker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities.

LEARN MORE

Attachment: List of the latest Community and Province-Wide grants benefiting Aboriginal communities across Ontario

Learn more about the Ontario Trillium Foundation

Follow L. Robin Cardozo on Twitter

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Angela Kooij, 1.800.263.2887 ext. 217
akooij@trilliumfoundation.org

 
GRANTS BENEFITING ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS ONTARIO
Ratified by the Ontario Trillium Foundation Board of Directors on March 3, 2011

1. PROVINCE-WIDE GRANTS

Chiefs of Ontario, as lead organization on this collaborative 
$100,000 over one year to launch the first phase of a comprehensive three-part training program that will develop the capacity of more than one hundred First Nations in Ontario to align Environmental Assessments with the negotiation of Impact and Benefit Agreements.

Mamow Sha-way-gi-kay-win, as lead organization on this collaborative 
$244,000 over two years to train youth in remote northern First Nations to use social media, develop their ideas into community projects, create funding applications and gain support for their ideas to improve conditions for youth from the not-for-profit sector.

Ningwakwe Learning Press 
$36,900 over one year to complete an Internal Environmental Scan to assess operations and an external environmental scan to examine broader opportunities and challenges in order to better plan for growth opportunities in the provision of Aboriginal literacy materials across Ontario.

Southern Ontario Library Service 
$5,000 over one year to support the work of Club Amick - Young Aboriginal Readers' Program, a book club for children in Ontario’s remote First Nation communities.

Wildlands League 
$265,000 over two years to hire an OjiCree speaking Aboriginal Watershed Coordinator from the Far North who will advance watershed planning with the communities and tribal councils living on or near four major rivers in Ontario's Far North: Albany, Winisk, Attawapiskat and Severn.

2. COMMUNITY GRANTS

Northwestern Ontario

Big Grassy First Nation 
$27,000 over one year to purchase a festival tent to provide shelter for participants, especially elders and children, during special events, festivals and traditional celebrations held in the community.
  
Deer Lake First Nation 
$98,400 over two years to renovate a youth centre and hire a coordinator to provide programs and activities for youth aged 12 to 18 in this remote First Nation community.
  
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake) 
$34,000 over one year to develop a community wellness action plan that will engage people of all ages in discussions about social and economic issues in this remote First Nation.   

Matawa First Nations Management 
$86,000 over two years to hire a facilitator to help implement a quality management system based on ISO 9001:2008 certification. This will increase the capacity of the organization to work with stakeholders in developing economic opportunities for the First Nation communities served by the Tribal Council. 
  
Pic Mobert First Nation 
$66,000 over two years to hire instructors and implement a drum program for youth aged 12 to 18 years. This will help increase opportunities for the development and transfer of traditional cultural skills and knowledge in this First Nation community. 
  
Save the Children Canada 
$39,100 over one year to deliver the Supporting Security parenting program in three James Bay communities to strengthen the experience of bonding, attachment and security between First Nations parents or caregivers and their infants in order to improve children's overall mental, physical and behavioural development. This grant has an impact in more than one OTF catchment area.

Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin and Sudbury
 
Metis Nation of Ontario-Timmins Council 
$77,500 over one year to renovate the community centre by installing new windows, siding and insulation in order to reduce energy consumption and create a more comfortable gathering place for members. Accessibility will also be enhanced with the construction of an accessible washroom and the installation of a ramp and automatic door opener at the main entrance.
 
Michipicoten First Nation 
$27,700 over one year to construct a permanent site to accommodate an annual pow wow and other cultural events to celebrate Anishinaabe culture and attract visitors to the community.
  
Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation 
$60,000 over one year to replace old and unsafe equipment in the community park with a new play structure that will provide a safe play area to encourage physical activity for children of this community located near Massey.
 
Save the Children Canada 
$39,100 over one year to deliver the Supporting Security parenting program in three James Bay communities to strengthen the experience of bonding, attachment and security between First Nations parents or caregivers and their infants in order to improve children's overall mental, physical and behavioural development. This grant has an impact in more than one OTF catchment area.
 
Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre 
$120,000 over two years to create sustainable community partnerships, promote cultural education, raise cultural awareness and develop an alternate approach to health care and health promotion for the Aboriginal community in Greater Sudbury.
 
Taykwa Tagamou (New Post) 
$28,000 over one year to purchase a seven-passenger van to enable children from Taykwa Tagamou First Nation, located between Cochrane and Moosonee, to participate in sports and recreation and cultural activities outside their community.
    
Wikwemikong Development Commission 
$40,800 over one year to provide cultural sensitivity training to Wikwemikong's community leaders that will provide a common vision to guide the future development of this Manitoulin Island community.

Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound and Timiskaming

Temagami First Nation 
$37,300 over one year to hire a professional facilitator who will work with the Bear Island community to carry out the project From Legacy to Choice. Frontline workers and community members will together address healing the effects of generational trauma and its effects on individuals, families and communities.

Champlain - Eastern Ontario

Aboriginal Experiences, Arts and Culture 
$102,200 over two years to provide urban Aboriginal children and youth in the National Capital Region and the Akwesasne First Nation community with an opportunity to participate in workshops and performances that will help them develop artistic skills in dance, theatre and story-telling while building stronger connections to their cultural teachings, values and traditions.
  
Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation 
$88,000 over two years to implement fitness and healthy-living educational programs in the Algonquin community and support the after-school physical-activity programs that have a particular focus on children and youth.

Victim Services of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Akwesasne 
$32,400 over one year to reduce physical barriers at the organization's facility by adding fully accessible doors, a lift and a washroom. The organization will then be able to better assist police and other emergency services in meeting the immediate needs of victims of crime and tragic circumstances.
  
Hamilton

Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, as lead organization on this collaborative 
$60,500 over two years to build awareness and address the issue of homelessness and the lack of affordable housing by developing and offering workshops those who are at risk of homelessness, are homeless or who need more secure options for housing such as youth, newcomers, and people from the Aboriginal community.

Niagara

Niagara Chapter Native Women Inc. 
$42,300 over one year to develop a long-term operational plan that will increase the organization's capacity to identify and sustain services for Aboriginal women in Niagara.
 
Essex, Kent and Lambton

Mnaasged Child and Family Services 
$75,000 over one year to continue to fund a program coordinator position, which is crucial to the ongoing development of a culturally sensitive system of custodial care for First Nation children within the seven First Nations in Southwestern Ontario. This grant has an impact in more than one OTF catchment area.

Thames Valley

Chippewas of the Thames 
$15,000 over eight months to explore the feasibility of creating a museum that will present the role of residential schools in the history of First Nations people.

Mnaasged Child and Family Services 
$75,000 over one year to continue to fund a program coordinator position, which is crucial to the ongoing development of a culturally sensitive system of custodial care for First Nation children within the seven First Nations in Southwestern Ontario. This grant has an impact in more than one OTF catchment area.

Simcoe-York

Chippewas of Georgina Island 
$101,500 over one year to complete The Buzzy Big Canoe Memorial Arena on Georgina Island. Fencing, seating and paved access for the zamboni to clean the ice will be provided for the outdoor ice-rink that offers year-round recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.

Nin Os Kom Tin Native Cultural Friendship Centre of York Region 
$105,000 over two years to increase the sense of community and availability of culturally appropriate services for people of Aboriginal descent living off reserve in York region by establishing a new Native Friendship Centre in the Newmarket area. Programming will include health and wellness programs, cultural activities, peer support and youth mentoring.

Toronto

Diaspora Dialogues Charitable Society 
$62,000 over two years to develop the skills of emerging Toronto writers from culturally diverse and Aboriginal backgrounds. A new year-long mentoring program will be piloted for emerging writers. The Young Writers From the Edge program will be enhanced and a new four-month, one-on-one mentoring program for youth will be introduced.

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto 
$216,400 over three years to support staff and programming costs of the 7th Generation Image Makers program that will increase the hours of operation and provide more art exposure and constructive creative expression opportunities for Aboriginal youth aged 14 to 29.