Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative – Cultural Stream

Eligible applicants for the IRI-CS are Indigenous communities and organizations located in Alberta including:

• First Nations
• Metis Settlements General Council and Metis Settlements
• Métis Nation of Alberta
• Aseniwuche Winewak Nation
• Tribal Councils and Treaty Organizations
• Friendship Centres
• Indigenous non-profit organizations
  • Indigenous non-profit organizations who apply must demonstrate the following:
    • at least 51 per cent Indigenous board membership
    • majority of staff must be Indigenous
    • the organization’s vision or mission statement must include support for Indigenous initiatives

Applicants must be in compliance with all previous Indigenous Relations funding agreements at the time of application. If an applicant is a corporate entity, it must be in good standing.

The intent of the IRI-CS program is to enhance, protect or revitalize Indigenous languages, cultures and arts. Successful projects must strengthen cultural outcomes. Projects may include (but are not limited to):

• community-led reconciliation activities or events
• Indigenous language revitalization projects
• cultural teachings, workshops and land-based learning programming
• traditional arts, crafts and cultural skill development (e.g., beading, sewing, drumming)
• community research, such as gathering oral histories or archival work

Eligible expenses may include (but are not limited to):

• honoraria or fees for Elders, Knowledge Keepers, artists, facilitators, language teacher and cultural advisors
• cultural protocol and ceremony costs
• contractor costs for project coordination, research, documentation or reporting 
• facility or venue rental (excluding core or ongoing operating costs) 
• supplies and materials for cultural programming, research, documentation or archival work
• food and refreshments for participants or community gatherings
• recording, transcription, translation, digitization or archival costs
• evaluation or reporting costs
• recording, transcription, translation, digitization or archival costs
• administrative costs (cannot exceed more than 10 per cent of the funding request)

The following costs are ineligible:

IRI-CS funding cannot be used for expenses related to:

• operating costs (e.g. rent, salaries, utilities, phone, internet, etc.)
• capital expenditures
• start-up costs
• technology purchases
• contingency costs 
• prize money
• payments for services that are normally provided without charge

Read the IRI-CS Application Guidelines.

Questions to consider:

• Is your organization eligible? (Sections 3.1)
• Is your project eligible? (Sections 3.2)
• Are your project expenses eligible? (Sections 3.3)

Complete the mandatory package documents:

• IRI-CS Grant Application
  • Ensure the Declaration (last page of the Application form) is signed and dated) by an individual with full legal authority such as CEO, Chairperson, Chief or President.
• Evidence of community support.
  • For a First Nation, a Band Council Resolution is required;
  • For a Metis Settlement, a Council Resolution is required; or
  • For a non‑profit Indigenous organization, a Board Motion is required.
  • Applicants are encouraged to include additional letters of community support, where available.
• Application for Electronic Payment along with the acceptable banking documents outlined in the form 
• Additional supporting documentation that helps explain the project and its community impact, including quotes, cost estimates, letters of support, resumes or bios of project leads, or other relevant documentation may also be included but is not mandatory.

Applicants must email the completed application package to [email protected] prior to September 15 at 11:59 p.m. 

• Applications will be reviewed after the intake deadline of September 15.
• Individuals listed on the application may be contacted if additional information is required.
• Applicants will be notified in early 2027, using the contact information provided in the application. 
  • If contact information changes, please notify us at [email protected].
  • Funding is not guaranteed.