Closed
Source verified July 26, 2026
Inuit Child First Initiative
Support for Inuit children’s essential needs
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
Who can apply
All Inuit children can request funding, no matter where they live in Canada.
See full eligibility
Overview
Inuit Child First Initiative supports Inuit children anywhere in Canada by funding essential health, social and educational products, services and supports that help meet their distinct needs. Eligible support includes mobility aids, mental health counselling and tutoring services.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Requests to contract professionals to provide services for groups of children, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language, cultural services, and behavioural therapy
- Requests for specialized individuals to assist a group of children in social contexts, such as youth mental health workers
- Child-specific land-based activities and child-specific specialized programs based on cultural beliefs and practices
Documents Needed
- Proof of beneficiary enrollment with an Inuit Land Claim Organization, such as the child’s or one parent’s Inuit Land Claim Beneficiary Number, a letter, or a certification and authorization form
- Completed application form, or a reimbursement form when requesting reimbursement
- Letter of support from a health professional, educational professional, Elder or Knowledge Keeper
- Relevant assessments or diagnoses, and parent or guardian consent when submitting on behalf of the parent or guardian of the Inuk child
- Financial reports from the previous fiscal year and identification of any carry forwards, if previous funding was received
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- All Inuit children can request funding, no matter where they live in Canada.
- Parents or guardians caring for a dependent Inuk child, an Inuk child above 16 years of age for themselves, or an authorized representative with consent from the parent or guardian may submit a request.
- For group requests, a community, community organization or institution, or service coordinator, navigator or case manager may submit a request.
Eligible expenses
- Mobility aids, child-specific addiction services, transportation to child-specific medical appointments, professional mental health services, assessments and screenings for a medical or educational need, medical supplies and equipment, medical respite care, therapeutic services, and wheelchair ramps
- Child-specific land-based activities and child-specific specialized programs based on cultural beliefs and practices
- Tutoring services, specialized school transportation, assessments and screening for educational needs, and assistive technologies and electronics related to child-specific educational needs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Purchase, construction or structural renovations of homes
- Requests to support sporting events or elite or competitive sport-related training, unless linked to the specific health, social or educational needs of the Inuk child
- International travel, unless related to an exceptional medical need of the Inuk child
- Non-medical supports such as travel costs, non-medical respite care, child care, clothing, furniture and vehicles, unless accompanied by a letter of support from a medical professional
- School-related requests unless linked to the specific health, social or educational need of the Inuk child; automatic administrative fees within group requests, including salaries, service fees and overhead costs
How to apply
- Contact the regional focal point for your province or territory to start your request.
- Submit your request for Inuit children to Indigenous Services Canada through the regional focal point.
- If you are requesting reimbursement, contact us, complete a reimbursement form, and send it to your regional focal point with all relevant supporting documents.
Processing and Agreement
- The regional focal point will review the completed request.
- A written decision will be sent after the request is processed.
- If a request is denied, an appeal may be initiated anytime within one year from the date the request was denied.
- Approved funding may be paid directly to the vendor or service provider, or reimbursed if already paid by the family, guardian, child or authorized representative.
- Group requests funded through contribution agreements must follow standard financial management, accountability and reporting practices, and unspent funds must be reported and assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Additional information
- The initiative has mirrored Jordan's Principle processes since its creation in 2018 as an interim approach for Inuit children.
- ISC and Inuit partners are continuing to co-develop an Inuit-specific approach for long-term program delivery.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Inuit Child First Initiative Program
What is the Inuit Child First Initiative?
Inuit Child First Initiative supports Inuit children anywhere in Canada by funding essential health, social and educational products, services and supports that help meet their distinct needs. Eligible support includes mobility aids, mental health counselling and tutoring services.
Who is eligible for the Inuit Child First Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Inuit Child First Initiative program, you must:
The child must be recognized by an Inuit land claim organization.
The child must be under the age of majority in their province or territory of residence.
Inuit children anywhere in Canada can request funding.
What expenses are eligible under Inuit Child First Initiative?
Requests to contract professionals to provide services for groups of children, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language, cultural services, and behavioural therapy
Requests for specialized individuals to assist a group of children in social contexts, such as youth mental health workers
Child-specific land-based activities and child-specific specialized programs based on cultural beliefs and practices
Who can I contact for more information about the Inuit Child First Initiative?
You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) or by phone at 1-855-572-4453.
Where is the Inuit Child First Initiative available?
The Inuit Child First Initiative program is available across Canada.
Is the Inuit Child First Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Inuit Child First Initiative is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Inuit Child First Initiative?
Inuit Child First Initiative is funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)