2024-25 Reporting on the Calls for Justice: 6.1: Media and Social Influencers
Learn how the Government of Canada is responding to Call for Justice 6.1.
Initiatives report progress based on how they respond to a Call for Justice or respond to part of a Call for Justice.
Updates are based on data provided June 3, 2025.
On this page
6.1 Take decolonizing approaches to media work in order to educate all Canadians about Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
Initiatives
Indigenous Screen Office – Canadian Heritage
Overview of initiative
The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) is an independent, Indigenous-led organization that funds, supports, and advocates for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis creators working in film, television, digital media, and gaming that receives sustained funding from Canadian Heritage. ISO's core mission is to promote Indigenous narrative sovereignty, increase Indigenous representation in media, and ensure the industry respects Indigenous knowledge systems. The organization offers funding through two streams: Story Fund and Sector Development.
Response to Call for Justice 6.1
ISO responds to part of Call for Justice 6.1 by advancing authentic, Indigenous-led storytelling in media, addressing longstanding misrepresentations of Indigenous Peoples. By supporting Indigenous creators and advocating for decolonizing approaches in media production, ISO challenges discriminatory stereotypes and promotes accurate, respectful narratives. The organization also actively works to increase Indigenous representation in executive and decision-making roles within the media sector.
Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from this program by gaining access to media that reflects their realities, experiences, and histories, fostering greater awareness, education, and cultural pride.
Key impacts
Note that examples of impacts are for projects funded in 2023-24, as annual reports for 2024-25 come out in June, after the publication date of the Federal Pathway's Annual Progress Report. All program reporting is one year behind.
- Authentic Indigenous representation: ISO ensures Indigenous stories are told by Indigenous voices, free from colonial distortions.
- Example: In 2023-24, $500,000 was allocated to Assini Productions Inc. in support of BLOOD LINES, a story about identity, culture and love between two women.
- Equity in media industry: Increases Indigenous participation in all aspects of screen production through funding, training, and advocacy.
- Example: In 2023-24, $100,000 was allocated to Gaayangaay Productions Ltd. In support of White Lies Interactive Music Video, which showcases Kristi Lane Sinclair and a traditional Haida drummer in an interactive music video.
- Decolonizing media practices: Promotes ethical storytelling and Indigenous protocols and works towards reshaping the Canadian media landscape to be more inclusive and respectful.
- Example: In 2023-24, $215,000 was allocated to Igluralaag 2 Inc. in support of At the Cabin Season Two, a Nunavut preschool series that showcases Inuit language, arts, culture, values, and provides rich educational content for Canadian children.
Funding details
Note that funding details are for projects funded in 2023-24, as annual reports for 2024-25 come out in June, after the publication date of the Federal Pathway's Annual Progress Report. All program reporting is one year behind.
In 2023-24, the ISO distributed $11.9 million to 236 projects. ISO has received sustained funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage and other partners to support Indigenous screen content development. ISO continues to secure permanent funding streams to expand outreach, training, and storytelling initiatives. Ongoing investments in Indigenous-led storytelling help ensure the continued growth and success of Indigenous media professionals.