Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model

• Supporting documents required in the Application Checklist (Annex A)
• General Application Form (Annex B), Organization Overview (Annex C), and Summary (Annex D)
• Declaration and Attestation (Annex E) and Budget (Annex F)
• Development of a Language plan (Appendix 1), if applying for the development of a language plan, and Project or Ongoing Programmatic Activities & Resources (Appendix 2)
• For ongoing programmatic funding, Ongoing Programmatic Funding (Appendix 3) and a language plan or work plan

Who is eligible?

• First Nations organizations or groups within Canada, in good standing
• First Nations governments or equivalent organizations and their delegated authorities
• First Nations-led institutions, including accredited programs
• First Nations-led not-for-profit organizations
• First Nations ad hoc groups formed for specific language work plans and First Nations for-profit organizations for the annual and multi-year stream, provided the activities will not result in income generation for their sole benefit

Who is not eligible

• Organizations that are not owned and controlled by First Nations persons.
• Companies whose primary purpose is commercial enterprise or income generation for their sole benefit.
• Organizations focused on broadcasting or media production as their main operation.
• Businesses seeking funding for core educational programming (Pre-school to Post-Secondary), major construction, or large-scale renovations.
• Entities with compliance or standing issues with the Department of Canadian Heritage (such as unresolved past funding or late reports).

Eligible expenses

• Start-up costs for organizations supporting First Nations language reclamation and revitalization.
• Salaries and employee benefits for roles directly related to the project.
• Stipends, allowances, or honoraria for participation in courses or activities (in exceptional circumstances).
• Travel expenses (within government-permitted rates) related to project activities.
• Professional development and training program costs.
• Meeting expenses connected to funded activities.
• Rent and utilities related to program activities.
• Photocopying and printing services associated with project delivery.
• Translation and communications expenses for program needs.
• Professional, consulting, and Elder fees for services rendered.
• Equipment rental, service, and purchase.
• Information technology costs, including hardware and software purchase or upgrades.
• Minor renovation expenses tied to promotional language activities.
• Project supplies and resource materials directly related to the funded activities.
• General liability insurance necessary for project implementation.
• Administrative costs such as bookkeeping, office supplies, telephone, utilities, postage and courier fees, rent for office space, audit, legal, and translation (administrative costs may not exceed 15% of total approved funding).

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• capital construction and major (high cost) renovation
• salaries and honoraria for Board members in the delivery of regular operations
• pre-school, Elementary, Secondary and Post-Secondary Education core funding
• Core operational costs associated with broadcasting of radio, television and programming
• start-up and operational costs for commercial enterprises, support for the development of cultural and professional industries, contingency and miscellaneous fees, and deficit recovery

Eligible geographic areas

• British Columbia
• Ontario
• Quebec
• Nova Scotia
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Yukon
• Northwest Territories

• The project must demonstrate that its implementation would support the objectives of the Indigenous Languages Component—First Nations Languages Funding Model.
• The application must describe the activities to be funded and the expected results of the proposed activities.
• The budget must clearly link to the proposed activities, and partners and their roles must be disclosed if applicable.
• Funding priorities based on community priorities and existing funding available include community-based initiatives or activities, development of language plans supported by communities and their leadership, and activities that strongly support the reclamation, revitalization, maintenance and strengthening of First Nations languages, such as mentor-apprentice programs, immersion and language nests.
• Other regional priorities recommended by the First Nations review processes may also be considered.

• Read the application guidelines in their entirety.
• Contact the Indigenous Languages Program to request an application package.
• If you are in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec or Nova Scotia, contact the First Nations Regionally Designated Organization in your region; applicants in regions without a Regionally Designated Organization submit directly to the Department of Canadian Heritage.
• Complete Annex B, Annex C, Annex D, Annex F, and Appendix 1, 2 or 3, as applicable.
• Sign the Declaration and Attestation (Annex E) and attach all required supporting documents listed in Annex A.
• Submit the complete application package electronically to autochtone-indigenous@pch.gc.ca.

• Canadian Heritage will acknowledge receipt of the application package within two weeks of its reception.
• Applications are first assessed by Canadian Heritage to confirm eligibility.
• Eligible applications are then evaluated by the First Nations Review Committee.
• The First Nations Review Committee prioritizes applications in relation to the funds available and regional priorities, and may provide feedback on rejected applications.
• Decisions regarding eligibility and funding amounts are final.

• Recipients must publicly acknowledge the financial support received from the Government of Canada in all communications and promotional materials.
• Canadian Heritage reserves the right to audit recipients and require them to retain relevant records for five years.
• Applicants are required to comply with conflict of interest guidelines, including having a publicly available policy if managing regional adjudication or administration of funding.
• Funding decisions are final, and evaluations can result in feedback from the review committee for unsuccessful applications.