Indigenous Languages Program - Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting

• Funding can cover up to 100% of eligible project expenses or a maximum of $2,500,000 per fiscal year.
• Administration costs are eligible up to 15% of total approved funding.
• If a contribution of $250,000 or more is received, audited financial statements must be provided.
• Total government assistance (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal) cannot exceed 100% of eligible project-related costs.

• The applicant must have received funding from the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component in 2025-2026.
• The applicant must be an incorporated Indigenous not-for-profit organization, or an Indigenous government or equivalent (including councils, groups, or communities with rights recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982).
• In exceptional cases, the applicant may be a non-Indigenous not-for-profit working in partnership with Indigenous organizations or advisory committees where Indigenous organizations do not exist.
• The organization or group must provide broadcast communications north of the Hamelin Line (55th parallel), defining the Canadian North.
• The project must include radio and/or television production activities that contribute to the preservation, promotion, and revitalization of Indigenous languages and facilitate Northern Indigenous participation.

Who is eligible?

• Incorporated Indigenous not-for-profit organizations
• Indigenous governments and their delegated authorities (such as councils, community groups, or peoples holding rights recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982)
• In exceptional cases, non-Indigenous not-for-profit organizations working in partnership with Indigenous organizations or Indigenous advisory committees (where Indigenous organizations do not exist)

Who is not eligible

• Companies that have not received funding from the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component in 2025-2026.
• Organizations that are not incorporated Indigenous not-for-profits or Indigenous governments (except in exceptional circumstances for some non-Indigenous not-for-profits).
• Organizations that do not provide broadcast communications north of the Hamelin Line (55th parallel).

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and employee benefits directly linked to project delivery.
• Training directly related to the implementation of project activities.
• Rental and utilities costs for facilities needed specifically for the project.
• Equipment rental, servicing, or purchase required for the project.
• Project supplies and resource materials.
• Photocopying, printing, and translation costs directly related to project activities.
• Communications expenses tied to project activities.
• Honoraria for Elders and professional service or consulting fees directly linked to the project.
• Travel within Canada related to the project (according to the National Joint Council’s Travel Directive).
• Insurance costs directly associated with project activities.
• Meetings expenses related to project execution.
• Purchase or refurbishment of transmitter systems and receiving equipment.
• Installation, engineering, and shipping costs necessary for project completion.
• Satellite leasing fees for broadcasting purposes.
• Costs related to new and emerging communication technologies, including hardware and software purchase or upgrades.
• Administration costs (up to 15% of total approved funding), such as office supplies, rent, bookkeeping, legal, audit, translation, and related expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations providing broadcast communications north of the Hamelin Line (55th parallel), which defines the Canadian North for policy purposes.

• Production and broadcast of new content in an Indigenous language that reaches north of the Hamelin Line (55th parallel).
• Number of Indigenous languages included in the programming.
• Organizational capacity.

• Applicants are encouraged to seek additional sources of funding, including support from private sector or other government levels.
• In-kind contributions are accepted but are not reimbursable and must be documented at fair market value.
• The program is competitive and the demand for funding typically exceeds the available budget.
• Recipients must keep all relevant project records for five years for possible auditing purposes.