Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Contribution Program: application guidelines
A project-based contribution program funding projects that provide assistance and services for the healing journeys of Indigenous family members and survivors of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people who are missing or were murdered.
On this page
About the program
Successful projects will be focused on supporting family members and survivors of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people to find healing in a form that is meaningful to them. This includes 2 types of projects:
- support for individual survivors, families or communities of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people to hold celebrations of life and legacy, such as, but not limited to:
- memorial feasts or events
- celebrations of life and legacy
- healing gatherings
- establishing items of commemoration
- provision of resources, whether written, online or in person, to assist in the navigation of supports
- activities that include supports for children and youth related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people
- resource centres or navigators to assist family members and survivors in accessing the culturally relevant supports that are available to them. This may include projects that contribute to sustained, reliable and accessible support, including within the context of immediate crises, such as when a family member is missing
Selected eligible projects will be funded based on the need demonstrated in the proposal application.
Program background
As part of its efforts to respond to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report, the Government of Canada has committed to:
- working to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people
- advancing reconciliation and achieving equity for all Indigenous peoples
- improving the quality of life for people living in Indigenous communities
Supporting the healing journeys of families and survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people is a key part of this work. Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada provided $12.5 million in funding over 5 years with $2.5 million on-going for projects that support the wellbeing of families and survivors on their healing journeys. This project-based initiative stems from the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, the Government of Canada's contribution to the National Action Plan, under the themes of Health and Wellness and Justice. Specifically, it funds projects that support Indigenous-led healing and mental wellness services, strengthens protective pathways against violence, and supports the enhancement of culturally safe supports for families.
Who can apply
Recipients eligible to receive funding under this program are:
- Indigenous organizations representing or providing services to Indigenous people
- National or regional Indigenous Organizations
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities
- Indigenous groups with a signed self-government agreement or modern treaty (modern treaties negotiated since 1973 under Canada's Comprehensive Claims policy or those under the Inherent Rights Policy since 1995)
- Indigenous non-governmental and voluntary associations and organizations, including non-profit organizations and corporations
Deadline
The deadline for the 2024 to 2025, 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027 call for proposals is July 26, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Eligible activities and expenditures
To be eligible for funding, proposals must clearly demonstrate how the proposed project will contribute to the healing journey of individual Indigenous family members and survivors who are missing or have lost loved ones to violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
Eligible activities may include but are not limited to:
- honoraria for Elders
- domestic travel and transportation
- meetings
- traditional medicines, cultural and country foods
- hospitality
- equipment
- rent and utilities
- salaries
- communications products, for example, websites or brochures
- materials and supplies
- volunteer participation expenses
Funding details
The program has up to $2.5 million available annually to fund projects across Canada that support the healing journeys of families and survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. While the maximum amount payable is up to $500,000 according to the terms and conditions, the average funding allocation for projects since April 1, 2021 has been approximately $230,000.
Duration
Projects can have varying durations, but should begin no earlier than November 1, 2024. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada must formally notify recipients before a project can begin.
Note: The fiscal year for the Government of Canada runs from April 1 of one year until March 31 of the following year.
How to apply
Applicants are encouraged to review these guidelines in their entirety before submitting a proposal.
Applicants must complete the Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Program Project Funding Application.
- To find the form, enter 9701986 in the Filter items box on the Proposals, applications, work plans web page under fiscal year 2024 to 2025.
The application must include:
- a detailed description of the project activities
- description of who will be providing the service or activity and their qualifications in trauma-informed or culturally relevant service delivery
- a description of participants or beneficiaries, including distinctions, 2SLGBTQI+, urban and/or remote, etc.
- timelines
- a detailed budget per fiscal year
- a list of expected results or outcomes and a brief description on how outcomes will be reported, including a report on the impact of the wellbeing of family members and survivors who participated in the project
The following mandatory information and documentation must accompany the application:
- Proof of incorporation, not for profit delivery organization certification or number or description of organization
- Community support (ex. letters of support, Band Council Resolution, community or friendship centre, etc.) where applicable
- Demonstration of experience in providing trauma-informed, respectful, dignified and culturally relevant healing journey support to people or communities that have experienced the loss of a loved one
Applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation to clarify other areas of the proposal.
Applicants can include additional and supporting documentation with their application, including a narrative description of their project, in other formats of their choosing.
Application proposals and supporting documents must be sent to mmiwg-programsffada-programmes@sac-isc.gc.ca no later than July 26, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Selection process
Applications to this program will be assessed by an interdepartmental review committee against the program's terms and conditions. Criteria that will be assessed are, but not limited to:
- the completeness of the application
- objectives of the project and how it contributes to support the wellbeing of families and survivors
- demonstrated support for the project
- feasibility of the project
- experience in providing trauma-informed, respectful, dignified and culturally relevant healing support to people or communities that have experienced the loss of a loved one
Following this assessment process, the department may call upon an external advisory committee, made up of diverse Indigenous representatives, to complement the review process. Selected eligible projects will be funded based on the need demonstrated in the proposal application.
Funding decisions will be communicated by email.
Contact us
For more information about the program, assistance with preparing your application or to request an application form, please email mmiwg-programsffada-programmes@sac-isc.gc.ca.