The Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships provide funding in alignment with the City's Indigenous Framework, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Municipal Response Plan and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Municipal Response Plan.  

Funds are directed towards initiatives that:

  • Are Indigenous-led
  • Support healing and cultural revitalization
  • Address the impacts of systemic inequalities

Applications are accepted until funds are no longer available. Funding is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, based on eligibility, and additional consideration will be given to proposals led by or that include the participation of Indigenous organizations.

Application Intake

Applications are being accepted for the Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships. Applications will be accepted until all funds have been allocated.

View Sponsorship Guide

Funding Priorities

This funding prioritizes Indigenous-led activities that align with the 4 guiding principles/pillars of action outlined in the City’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Action Plans.

Awareness

Programs and activities that help people learn about the effects of residential schools and colonization on Indigenous communities, especially on women, girls, and people who identify as 2SLGBTQQIAz. This includes truth-telling about systemic racism, gender-based violence and oppression, and the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+).

Addressing

Activities and programs that deal with the effects of residential schools, violence related to colonialism, and ongoing discrimination. Also, to prioritize safety, justice and healing for MMIWG2S+ survivors and their families by supporting community-led and culturally grounded solutions.

Resurgence

Events and initiatives that support the reclamation of culture, knowledge, language and autonomy of Indigenous communities. Through the restoration of traditional knowledge and kinship systems, Indigenous groups and Nations can strengthen protections against violence and foster collective healing. 

Advocacy

Indigenous-led initiatives and programs that work to advocate for change within institutional and governmental bodies that respond to the 94 Calls for Action and or 231 Calls for Justice (such as, Child Welfare, Education, Health, Justice and Legal System) 

3 indigenous persons sitting at table

Sponsorship Criteria and Eligibilities

Funding Criteria

  • Demonstrate alignment with 1 or more of the funding priorities
  • Demonstrate the ability to provide City recognition, including but not limited to the use of the City of Edmonton Logo
  • Demonstrate the ability to acquire and maintain insurance coverage for the event
  • The event must be held within the greater Edmonton area (an exception to location may be made for cultural and ceremony purposes at the discretion of the Indigenous Relations Office)

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must be in good standing with the City of Edmonton. This means that the organization does not have any outstanding reports and is not in arrears of payments to their City of Edmonton accounts.

Eligible applicants will include:

Non-profit organizations

Registered for at least 1 year and in good standing with the incorporating body (Alberta Society, Non-profit Private Company, Non-Profit Public Company, Extra Provincial Non-profit Company), such as:

  • Indigenous-Led Organizations
  • Educational Institution
  • Local grassroots group that has a fiscal agent that meets the above eligible category. (If the applicant is awarded funding through this sponsorship program, the fiscal agent must agree to act on the applicant’s behalf to sign a funding agreement with the City and to receive, administer and report on the funding)
First Nations, Metis or Inuit Community

Additional consideration will be given to proposals led by or that include the participation of Indigenous organizations.

Eligible Expenses

Examples of eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to:

  • Cultural protocol
  • Honorariums
  • Wages for event staff, artists, performers and more
  • Venue costs
  • Event insurance
  • Volunteer support
  • Catering and food expenses
  • Marketing and promotion expenses related to the event
  • Other production and event costs

Ineligible Expenses

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

  • Prize money
  • Award costs
  • Alcohol purchases
  • Capital expenses

Application Process

Submit Your Event/Initiative Request

The following information must be included in the request:

  • Description of the event or initiative (including information such as dates, timelines and purpose of the event or initiative)
  • Proposed budget and funding request
  • A description of how the event or initiative will contribute to the program priorities
  • Expected number of participants
  • Proposed recognition for the City

Requests should be submitted to the Indigenous Relations Office via email at indigenousrelations@edmonton.ca.

Requests will be reviewed and organizations will be notified within 4 weeks of the decision.

Requests Assessment Criteria

Requests are assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Organizational eligibility
  • Alignment to program priorities
  • History of the event or initiative in Edmonton
  • Benefit to the Indigenous community
  • Details provided in the request
  • Proposed recognition for the City 

Final Reporting

Within 90 days of the completion of the event or initiative, successful applicants and any identified partners will be responsible for reporting on the progress of their work, including:

  • Event activities
  • Proof of recognition
  • Participant Information

Reporting will be done via the Community Investment Grant Portal.

Contact Us

Email  indigenousrelations@edmonton.ca