Aboriginal Languages Initiative – Aboriginal Peoples’ Program

The Aboriginal Languages Initiative (ALI), a component of the Aboriginal Peoples’ Program, supports the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages through community-based projects and activities.

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, you must be a Canadian organization/group, democratically controlled and be one of the following:

• Indigenous not-for-profit organizations incorporated under Canada not-for-profit Corporations Act or under corresponding provincial or territorial legislation;
• Indigenous not-for-profit organizations not incorporated;
• Indigenous governments and equivalent organizations, and their delegated authorities;
• Indigenous not-for-profit temporary committees and groups set up to complete a specific project;
• Indigenous academic institutions; and
• non-Indigenous not-for-profit organizations working in a clear partnership with Indigenous organizations or Indigenous advisory committees.

Eligible projects

Eligible projects must include activities designed to achieve measurable objectives and positive community outcomes. Multi-year projects are now available. Activities must take place between July 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020. More information to be found in the application package.

To be eligible for funding from the Aboriginal Languages Initiative component, your project must include community-based activities such as:

• developing and delivering community language training programs (e.g. language and culture instruction and camps, language nests, online training, master-apprentice programs, etc.);
  • The development and teaching of regular accredited curriculum is not eligible for funding.
  • Language training programs must be held outside grade K-12 classes or accredited course work.
• developing materials to increase Indigenous language use and proficiency (e.g. books, videos, workbooks, lexicons, language kits, games, etc.);
• developing systems for facilitating communications in Indigenous languages (e.g. database, etc.);
• developing digital tools to share information, materials and resources among Indigenous languages groups (e.g. website, application, etc.); and
• recording, documenting and preserving Indigenous languages (e.g. radio and television content, archiving, etc.)

View the list of projects funded by the Aboriginal Languages Initiative component (input “Aboriginal Languages Initiative” in the search query).

Application deadline

December 5

How to apply

Applicants are required to:

• read the Application Guidelines – Aboriginal Languages Initiative; and
• contact the Aboriginal Peoples’ Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage to request an application package and to submit the required documentation.

First Nation organizations in British Columbia must apply through the First Peoples’ Cultural Council.

First Nation organizations in Saskatchewan must apply though the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

Contact us

Guides and help

• Application Guidelines – Aboriginal Languages Initiative
• Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support - Canadian Heritage
• Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs

Related services and information

• Aboriginal Peoples' Program
• Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting – Aboriginal Peoples’ Program
• Request for Expression of Interest - Third Party Delivery Organization
• Projects funded by the Aboriginal  Languages Initiative component