First Nations Languages Funding Model — Indigenous Languages Component

From: Canadian Heritage

The First Nations Languages Funding Model — Indigenous Languages Component aims to facilitate the transition towards multi-year proposal-based and ongoing programmatic funding.

Objectives

The objectives of the First Nations Languages Funding Model — Indigenous Languages Component are to:

• support the efforts of First Nations communities and First Nations-led organizations to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their First Nations languages; and,
• create new First Nations language speakers, increase fluency, immersion opportunities, use of First Nations languages, and the documentation of all First Nations languages

The Indigenous Languages Component also contributes to the broader objectives of the Indigenous Languages Program with respect to First Nations languages.

Funding streams

The 2 funding streams are:

1. The Annual and Multi-year proposal-based stream to support:
   • the development of a language plan; and
   • project-based funding up to 5 years for language revitalization projects
2. The Ongoing programmatic funding stream to support:
   • the implementation of a long-term language plan or work plan

Applicants shall only apply to 1 of the funding streams and indicate in their application for which stream they would like to be considered. However, should their application be unsuccessful, Ongoing programmatic funding applicants could be considered and assessed under the Annual and Multi-year proposal-based stream.

Who can apply

To be eligible for either of the 2 funding streams above, an applicant must be a First Nations organization or group within Canada, and in good standing. A First Nations organization within Canada refers to an organization that is owned and controlled by First Nation persons, including a First Nations-owned corporation or a First Nations controlled not-for-profit organization, which directly delivers language revitalization services or that otherwise supports the delivery of language revitalization services.

In addition, an applicant must also be a:

• First Nations government or an equivalent organization and its delegated authorities; or
• First Nations-led institution, including accredited programs; or
• First Nations-led not-for-profit organization

Annual and Multi-year proposal-based stream

Eligible applicants for the Annual and Multi-year project stream may also include:

• a First Nations ad hoc group that has formed to do a specific language work plan; or
• a First Nations for-profit organization, provided that the activities for which they are requesting funding will not result in income generation for their sole benefit

Ongoing programmatic funding stream

To be eligible for the Ongoing programmatic stream, an applicant must also have a:

• long-term language plan or work plan in place with a minimum of 2 years of experience in providing First Nations languages revitalization services

Application deadline

The application deadline for fiscal year 2026-2027 is November 12, 2025, by 11:59 pm (PT).

How to apply

Applicants must apply directly to their First Nations Regionally Designated Organizations or to Canadian Heritage, as per the information below.

Applicants in regions with a First Nations Regionally Designated Organization

British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia applicants must contact the First Nations Regionally Designated Organization in their respective region. Information regarding the application process can be found on each organization’s website:

• British Columbia: First Peoples’ Cultural Council
• Ontario: First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres
• Quebec (other than Crees): Regional Committee on First Nations Languages
• Nova Scotia: Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey

First Nations Regionally Designated Organizations support the implementation of the Indigenous Languages Component in their respective region to implement their language revitalization strategy with First Nations communities and organizations.

Applicants in regions without a Regionally Designated Organization such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon and Northwest Territories

With the exception of self-governing First Nations listed below, applicants must submit their application directly to the Department of Canadian Heritage. The First Nations Review Committee assesses First Nations applications in regions without a Regionally Designated Organization. The First Nations Review Committee will prioritize First Nations governments and equivalent organizations and its delegated authorities.

Applicants are required to:

• read the Application guidelines in their entirety
• contact the Indigenous Languages Program to request an application package and to submit the required documentation

First Nations organizations from these regions who wish to become First Nations Regionally Designated Organizations are invited to consult the onboarding process for First Nations Regionally Designated Organizations — Indigenous Languages Component and contact Canadian Heritage.

Self-governing First Nations

The following self-governing First Nations applicants may contact their respective First Nations government.

• Cree Nations in Quebec: Cree Nation Government
• Self-governing First Nations in Yukon: Contact your respective First Nation government

Please contact the Indigenous Languages Programfor questions related to current funding mechanisms for self-governing First Nations.

Contact us

Address

Indigenous Languages Program
Department of Canadian Heritage
15 Eddy St (15-8-E)
Gatineau QC  J8X 4B3

Email

autochtone-indigenous@pch.gc.ca

Telephone

819-934-1405
1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)

TTY

1-888-997-3123 (toll-free)

Agents are available to answer your questions, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (ET).