Indigenous Languages Component — Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program

The Department of Canadian Heritage continues to collaborate with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation representatives in the management of the Indigenous Languages Component applications and assessment process.

What’s new in 2023-2024

• With this new 2023-2024 Indigenous Languages Component Call for applications, the Department of Canadian Heritage is planning its transition to provide more predictability and flexibility for Indigenous communities and Indigenous organizations in their efforts to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous Languages, should funds become available
• Moving towards a distinction-based approach, First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation are working with the Department in implementing their own language revitalization strategies
• If you have a project that would support Inuit or Métis Nation languages revitalization efforts, learn more by reading the information available on the new funding approaches with the Inuit regions, the Métis Nation Council governing members and the Manitoba Métis Federation on a new funding approach

The Department of Canadian Heritage is also seeking to determine interest of First Nations regionally designated organizations who can manage the Indigenous Languages Component funding and will continue to use the First Nations review committee in regions where there are no regionally designated organizations in place.

For further information, we invite you to read the Application guidelines in their entirety.

The objectives of the Indigenous Languages Component are to:

• Support the efforts of Indigenous communities and organizations to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages
• Create new Indigenous language speakers, increase immersion opportunities, increase use of Indigenous languages, and the documentation of all Indigenous languages

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, you must be an Indigenous organization or group within Canada, and in good standing.

Indigenous organization within Canada refers to an organization that is owned and controlled by Indigenous persons, including an Indigenous-owned corporation or an Indigenous-controlled non-profit organization, which directly delivers language revitalization services or that otherwise supports the delivery of language revitalization services.

The following organizations are eligible for funding:

• First Nations government and equivalent organization, and its delegated authorities
• Indigenous-led institution including accredited programs
• Indigenous-led non-profit organization
• Indigenous ad hoc group that has formed to do a specific work plan
• Indigenous for-profit organization, provided that the activities for which you are requesting funding will not result in income generation for your sole benefit

Application deadline

The application deadline for fiscal year 2023-2024 is May 8, 2023, by 11:59 pm (ET).

How to apply

For information regarding the objectives, the First Nations, multi-distinctions and Indigenous urban organization application process and to request and submit your application package, please refer to the list of contact below:

First Nations languages projects (by region)

• British Columbia: First Peoples’ Cultural Council
• Ontario: First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres
• Nova Scotia: Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey
• All other regions: Department of Canadian Heritage

Multi-distinctions and Indigenous urban organizations

Projects including language activities from more than 1 Indigenous distinction (First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation languages) and Indigenous urban organizations

• All provinces and territories: department of Canadian Heritage

If you are applying to the Department of Canadian Heritage

Applicants are required to:

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

Applicants may also be required to:

• read the onboarding process for First Nations Regionally Designated Organizations — Indigenous Languages Component

Contact us

Address

Indigenous Languages and Cultures 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).