The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is excited to announce another cycle of Indigenous Peoples Day of Wellness Grants (IPDoW). These grants are intended to support First Nations in BC to host community-led wellness celebrations, events, and honour National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.
The grant applications are open until
Friday, April 25, at 4 p.m.
First Nations communities in BC and health and social organizations that provide wellness services to First Nations people in BC will be eligible for up to $3,000 to conduct their own Indigenous Peoples Day of Wellness Celebration.
Here are some past examples of community events that can inspire your wellness initiative:
- Stz'uminus First Nation Indigenous Peoples Day of Wellness Grant Event 2024: Stz'uminus First Nation hosted a community-wide National Indigenous Peoples Day event with over 1,500 people gathering throughout the day at Transfer Beach. The community celebrated cultural songs and dances with two Stz'uminus Group performances including Patrick Aleck's song and dance group,
Smanukusun Smenam, and Nate Harris, Stz'uminus guitarist and entertainer. There were activities available all day such as a bouncy castle and activities for the youth, vendors, resource booths and a traditional barbeque of sockeye salmon for everyone to enjoy.
- Hagwilget language and cultural team hosted two intergenerational drum workshops and two rattle-making workshops, with a total of 40 community members participating. Along with the workshops, traditional foods of fried oolicans, hagwiljum, herring eggs, potatoes, rice and hamburger soup were enjoyed by all
(photo below).
- Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations hosted a wellness day for their community, which consisted of a writing and artwork contest for community members to express what “Indigenous Wellness" means to them. In addition to this, there was a “show and tell" and storytelling of special artifacts such as very old basket weaving, games for the youth and a bouncy castle to celebrate the completion of the school year. The day ended with a fresh salmon feast for all to enjoy.
- Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band hosted a National Indigenous Peoples Day Parade, where the band had over 20 people over four days build and decorate the communities float The theme was, “Bring Our Culture Back". The band purchased a new trailer that was safe for children and elders to ride on and together alongside staff and community members, they painted the trailer, cut out different landscapes and added lots of sparkle to create a beautiful community float. On June 21, the band had over 30 community members and staff who participated in the parade, handing out candy to the town.
Below are some additional Indigenous Peoples Day of Wellness Grant ideas:
- Healthy Eating: Canning workshops, traditional foods, and plant harvesting, community feasts, food hampers, cooking classes, etc.
- Being Active: Canoeing, cultural games and activities, community relays, dancing, powwow Zumba, yoga workshops, community walking and wellness challenges, etc.
- Nurturing Spirit: Making medicine bags, drums, moccasins, ribbon skirts, beading workshops, language workshops, Elders teachings, drumming, art contests etc.
- Respecting Tobacco: Tobacco and traditional medicines workshop, growing or harvesting traditional tobacco and other medicines, gifting tobacco, etc.
To determine your eligibility for this grant, please refer to “grant criteria" on page two of the online application. If you need guidance on wellness grant initiative ideas or want to confirm if your wellness initiative is within scope, email active@fnha.ca.
How to Apply:
The deadline to submit an application is Friday, April 25, 2025, at 4 p.m.
You can submit an application by completing the online application form.
Please note that if you require more information and/or experience any challenges with the online application form, please send an email to active@fnha.ca or phone (604) 785-2216.
