Funded Projects

The 12 projects funded to date include: 

• Thames Bluewater Métis Council Annual Rendezvous.
  The Rendezvous brings together the Métis citizens of the Council area to reconnect and celebrate culture through workshops, entertainment, food, and knowledge sharing. This project was funded in two separate years.

• Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation - Giiwayshkodayaang (The Place Where You Come Home to the Fire).
  The Place Where You Come Home to the Fire reflects the importance for Canada’s Indigenous people of returning to a way of life that invokes connection to  original teachings and to Mother Earth and Spirit. Giiwayshkodayaang comprises four (4) core components, including the: 1) Mental Health and Wellness Hub; 2) Land-Based Healing Program; 3) Recovery Home; and 4) Emergency Overnight Shelter and Daytime Drop-In. The program serves as both an upstream preventative and downstream treatment for community members suffering from mental health, addiction and violence challenges, allowing them access to an alternative option to healing and recovery that complement existing western approaches.

• Oneida Nation of the Thames - Healing and Rebuilding Through Culturally Appropriate Communication.This project supports the Nation’s communication plan to help rebuild Oneida through culturally appropriate communication. The program supports the plan for both internal and external communications that are grounded in culture, healing, and reconciliation, and is translational for youth. 

• Northern Bridge - In Person & Virtual Counselling, Systems and Support Programming for Indigenous Communities Affected by Residential Schools Systems
  Northern Bridge is an organization based in London, ON that provides outreach to Indigenous communities in the Athabasca Region.  There is urgency to provide consistent counselling and programming in this region due to limited access to physical, health and mental health services, as well as limits on travel and service providers’ abilities to travel to remote communities since the beginning of the pandemic (which has not been restored to full service).

• Nokee Kwe Positive Voice Project
  Nokee Kwe's Positive Voice project involves fostering connections and relations among Indigenous women, increasing visibility and support networks, and dispelling myths about victimhood through storytelling and cultural exhibits. Additionally, the program aims to pass on learned skills to families and communities to create a ripple effect of safe spaces. Positive Voice is a comprehensive initiative that not only empowers Indigenous women but also aims to create lasting positive change within their communities by fostering resilience, challenging stereotypes, and promoting safety and support networks.
  
  
• Caldwell First Nation (CFN) Language and Culture Revitalization: Planning for Our Future
  This project will help revitalize Ojibwe Anishinaabemowin at CFN by laying a strong foundation through extensive planning and organizing work, to include instructional and land-based learning opportunities to allow CFN members to become confident fluent speakers so they can learn and live their language and culture.
   
• Thames Bluewater Métis Council Powley Day Tree Planting
  Members of the Thames Bluewater Métis Council gathered to plant trees and celebrate their continued connection to the Land and Mother Earth. This was a unique opportunity for the Métis community to gather,  get to know each other, and help relieve some of the climate-related stress by actually doing something to help with the climate emergency.
  
  
• Oneida Nation of the Thames - Sk^na N^yotyel^hake’ (We will have Peace)
  This project will assist in revitalizing the Oneida language at Oneida Nation of the Thames through a 52 week language program that will produce five Oneida Language Protectors (speakers) through an intensive full language immersion curriculum.

• Elgin Hospice - Improving Hospice Palliative Care with Indigenous Families in Elgin County and Beyond. Elgin Hospice will create and develop an environment that is welcoming and supportive of the culture and customs of the three closest Indigineous communities: Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, Oneida of the Thames First Nation and Munsee -Delaware Nation. This project will help to ensure culturally appropriate hospice palliative care from the moment doors open.

• Métis Nation of Ontario -Southern Ontario Métis Region Rendezvous
  The Rendezvous will bring together Métis citizens of the Southern Ontario Region. The purpose of the event will be to lift up, educate, and reinforce their shared heritage and the pride that should go along with that heritage.

• Métis Nation of Ontario -Oskâyak Mâmawapôwin (Youth Gatherings)
  The Southern Ontario Métis Region hosted a series of youth-centred gatherings within the Diocese of London boundary. The events are focused on connecting youth with each other where they are, physically, emotionally, and culturally. The purpose of the event will be to lift up, educate, and reinforce their shared heritage and the pride that should go along with that heritage.