Updates to Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) Terms and Conditions remove barriers to funding opportunities and strengthen First Nations self-determination

OTTAWA, ON – September 2nd 2026 – Future Generations Foundation (FG Foundation) is pleased to announce that amendments to the Terms and Conditions and Administration Plan governing the residual funds of Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) have been approved by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Founded in 1975, FG Foundation has been entrusted with the stewardship and distribution of the residual funds from IRSSA since 2015. Through annual funding programs, the Foundation supports healing, education, culture, language revitalization, and reconciliation initiatives to First Nations individuals and communities across the country. As one of the first settlements of its kind in Canada, the IRSSA established specific terms and conditions to manage and distribute the residual funds. Over time, some of these terms and conditions increasingly created barriers to access for First Nations communities seeking support.

Following more than a decade of responsible stewardship, FG Foundation worked collaboratively with the Assembly of First Nations, Canada, the National Administrative Committee, and other parties to the original agreement to modernize and amend certain terms and conditions. The court-approved amendments removed several long-standing restrictions, including a twice within a ten-year limit to access funding, changes to the allowable administrative expenses, and the removal of court oversight.

“The removal of these court restrictions opens new opportunities to support long-term impact and build on lessons learned over the past decade of distributing the residual funds,” said Arnold Blackstar, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the FG Foundation. “Decisions about these resources can now be guided more directly by the people these funds were intended to serve. It is a recognition that First Nations are best positioned to determine how these resources can support their needs.”

“We are already implementing the removal of the restriction that limited communities and organizations from receiving two contribution agreements within a ten-year period,” said Naomi Racette, Executive Director of the FG Foundation. “Communities and organizations that may have been previously ineligible or capped are encouraged to re-engage and consider applying for future funding opportunities.”

While these court-approved amendments to IRSSA will expand access and increase flexibility, funding will continue to be awarded through an annual application process. Demand is expected to exceed available resources, and all applications will continue to be assessed based on their alignment with the Foundation’s charitable objectives, community benefit, and available annual funding.

The amendments were approved on March 31, 2026, and implementation will occur over the coming years. Additional information and updates will be shared as they become available.

For more information, visit fgfoundation.ca/apply-for-funding/help/.

About Future Generations Foundation

The Future Generations Foundation is a First Nations-led organization dedicated to providing comprehensive grant funding for education, cultural and language revitalization, healing, and community-driven initiatives. As stewards of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement funds, FG Foundation has supported over 900 First Nation communities and organizations, as well as more than 10,600 individuals from coast to coast to coast, fostering traditional knowledge and self-determination for future generations.

Media Contact

Jillian Morgan
Communications and Engagement Manager
Future Generations Foundation
[email protected]
1-(888)-268-0520 ext 808