​This year's theme is: “Our Wellness is First Nations: Celebrating our generations, nurturing our land and honoring our cultures"​

Xatsull First Nations Indigenous Peoples Day of Wellness Grant Event 2022: Xatsull Indigenous Peoples Day for the community, which included decorating the community bus, a parade, and activities such as tie-dying, bouncy castles, and food.

The grant applications are open until Friday, May 5, 2023, at 4 p.m.

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 gathering initiatives that encourage and support First Nations in BC to host community-led wellness celebrations, events, and honour National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2023.  

BC First Nations communities, BC First Nations run health and social organizations that provide wellness services to First Nations people in BC and BC First Nations educational institutions (schools) will be eligible for up to $3,000 to conduct their own Indigenous Peoples Day of Wellness Celebration.

Here are some examples of community events that can inspire your wellness initiative:

• Norgate Xwemelch'stn Community School hosted a school and community-wide powwow with dancers, gift-giving, and bannock-tacos. The student took part in gift-giving and honoring the guests present (photo above).
• Takla Nation spent a day on the land participating in different relays, Lahal competitions, singing, dancing, and a bannock taco-making station for over 200 community members.  
• Katzie First Nation hosted drum-making sessions to develop community drumming, singing, and dancing nights.

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, walking and wellness challenges, etc.
• Nurturing Spirit: Making medicine bags, drums, moccasins, ribbon skirts, beading workshops, language workshops, Elders teachings, drumming, etc.
• Respecting Tobacco: Tobacco and traditional medicines workshop, growing or harvesting traditional tobacco and other medicines, gifting tobacco, etc.
  

Grant Criteria:

1. The grants are intended to support gathering initiatives that encourage First Nations in BC to celebrate and honour National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2023.

2. Activities must follow the current orders of the Provincial Health Officer. There are currently no orders restricting gatherings in BC. However, this may change and may require you to adjust your initiatives to comply with orders as needed. See provincial and regional restrictions – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) for more information.

3. Eligible recipients include BC First Nations communities, BC First Nations run health and social organizations that provide wellness services to First Nations people in BC and BC First Nations educational institutions (schools).

​4. Please note: For profit organizations, Métis Chartered Communities/organizations, non-BC First Nations run health and social organizations and non-BC First Nations educational institutions are ineligible for wellness grants.

5. One grant per community, organization, and/or educational institution (school). Recipients are encouraged to collaborate with neighboring communities, where feasible if more than one application is submitted.

6. Eligible BC First Nations communities, BC First Nation run not-for-profit organizations/societies, and BC First Nations educational institutions (schools) are able to access a single grant of up to $3,000. Followed by the completion of a brief closing report, which will be required to capture the highlights of your initiative.

​​FNHA recommends that events or initiatives take place between June 12 and June 23, 2023

Closing Reports are due no later than July 14, 2023.

How to Apply:

The deadline to submit an application is Friday, May 5, 2023, at 4 pm.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply for the Wellness Grants?

The funding applications for an Indigenous Peoples Day of Wellness Grant must be received from (1) a First Nations community/band/village council. (2) BC First Nations run health and social organizations that provide wellness services to First Nations people in BC and is a registered society, or (3) a BC First Nations school or educational institution. (Please Note: For-profit organizations and Métis Chartered Communities/organizations, non-BC First Nations not-for-profits organization/societies, and non-BC First Nations educational institutions are ineligible for wellness grants).

2. Can an individual apply for a grant?

No. The funds cannot be distributed to an individual. The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) encourages people with an idea or concept to match and connect with a group that meets the criteria described in question one.

For example: if you are a certified yoga instructor who wants to provide a workshop, either in person or online, this may be an opportunity to work with a local school or First Nations community. 

3. When can the event or initiative take place?

The FNHA recommends that the event or initiative take place between June 12 and June 23, 2023. If there are goals outside this timeframe, please contact Wellness@fnha.ca. 

4. Can I use the funds for an Elder Honourarium?

Yes. The funds can be used to provide an honourarium to an Elder for their services. Funds may not be used for the following: (1) the purchase of alcohol, (2) the purchase of concession items, (3) prize money, or (4) illegal purchases. The grant funds may be used for other forms of prizes, including gift cards. 

5. Who can I contact for more help or to answer other questions?

Team members are available during regular business hours by phone or email.

If you have any questions, please email active@fnha.ca.

If you would like to speak to a team member by phone, call (604) 785-2216​