OTTAWA, January 27, 2023 – The NIB Trust Fund recognizes Laurentian Bank of Canada for supporting our organization with their gift of $50,000 dollars as part of their ongoing commitment toward reconciliation. This gift from Laurentian Bank will support beneficiaries like Taylor Day, an NIB Trust Fund scholarship recipient and proud member of Akwesasne Mohawk First Nation who graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from Queen’s Law in Kingston in 2022.

“As part of Laurentian Bank’s renewed corporate giving strategy, called “Giving Beyond Numbers,” we are focused on supporting organizations whose mission is to combat economic inequities impacting underrepresented groups, including Indigenous Peoples. At Laurentian Bank, we recognize there is much more work to be done on the journey toward advancing reconciliation, and that is why we are extremely proud to be providing financial support to NIB Trust Fund as they carry out their critical mission,” Bindu Cudjoe, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Inclusion and Equity Officer and Corporate Secretary of Laurentian Bank.

Each year the NIB Trust Fund supports First Nation communities, organizations, and students by funding programming that addresses the harms inflicted by Residential Schools and enhances the welfare of First Nation individuals and communities across the nation. To-date, the NIB Trust Fund has supported projects from 592 First Nation communities and organizations and awarded funding to 7,131 students pursuing post-secondary education, training programs, and traditional, cultural, and language teachings.

“This generous gift from Laurentian Bank will allow the NIB Trust Fund to continue to serve our mandate and to deliver on our commitment to champion the wellbeing of First Nation people and Residential School Survivors and their descendants for generations to come,” Naomi Racette, Executive Director, NIB Trust Fund.

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Contact NIB Trust Fund Communications:

1 (888) 268-0520 ext. 3

[email protected]

OTTAWA, ON – The NIB Trust Fund is pleased to share that 2022-2023 individuals have been notified of funding decisions. This year, the NIB Trust Fund Board of Trustees has approved a total of $4.7 Million to 1205 applicants.

Recipients were awarded across three categories: award, bursary, and scholarship. Funding from the NIB Trust Fund will support recipients as they pursue culture and language learning, post-secondary education, certification, or training.

·       115 awards have been approved to recipients who are pursuing culture and language learning.

·       84 bursaries have been approved to recipients who are pursuing certification or training.

·       1006 scholarships have been approved to recipients who are pursuing post-secondary education.

The 2022-2023 funding allocated brings the total funding to individual beneficiaries to $30.15 Million since the NIB Trust Fund was entrusted to administer the residential school settlement funds in 2015.

The goal of the NIB Trust Fund is to help First Nations and Métis people, organizations, and communities address the long-lasting impacts of the residential school system on Survivors and their descendants and to support education programs aimed at healing and reconciliation over many years. All NIB Trust funding is accessible through a competitive application process. The next Call for Applications for Individuals will take place April 2023 and close in June 2024.

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Contact Information:

NIB Trust Fund Communications

[email protected]

www.nibtrust.ca

The NIB Trust Fund is pleased to release the details of the funded programs for the 2022-2023 year. This year, the Trust Fund supported several healing and reconciliation, employment and education, culture, language, and youth and family kinship programs and initiatives for First Nations and Métis people across Turtle Island.

The NIB Trust Fund Board of Trustees approved $7.52 million in funding to 70 projects. The NIB Trust Fund received 140 applications from First Nations and Métis communities, organizations, cultural and friendship centres, museums, and educational institutions. The projects will be delivered at the community, provincial and national levels.

In accordance with the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the NIB Trust Fund allocates funds to provide resourcing to create meaningful opportunities that improve the quality of life for First Nations and Métis people. Funds are available to First Nations and Métis individuals, governments, and organizations as part of healing and reconciliation efforts and for the revitalization and support of traditional First Nations and Métis cultures and languages.

The NIB Trust Fund will release the next Organization Call for Applications in November 2022. Organizations must have Qualified Donee status or a CRA Charitable Number. First Nation communities are encouraged to contact CRA and start their application now for Qualified Donee status as the process can take many months. Please visit CRA’s website here for more information.

 The Individual Call for Applications for Individuals opens April 14, 2022, and the deadline is June 3, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

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Media Contact:

Kylie Thompson, Communications Officer

[email protected]

The NIB Trust Fund is now accepting applications for funding from individuals for the 2022-2023 year. Individuals may apply for funding in the form of a scholarship, bursary, or award from the NIB Trust Fund through the online application accessible at nibtrust.ca.

The NIB Trust Fund supports a wide range of activities for First Nations and Métis applicants pursuing education, including but not limited to:

• Programs which promote the preservation, reclamation, development or understanding of First Nations or Métis history, cultures, or languages

• Cultural education (traditional teachings, workshops, ceremony, etc.)

• Healing programming

• Post-secondary education

• Training, trade skills

• Certification

• Professional development and job skill training

• And more!

Eligibility

The Individual Call for Applications is open to First Nations and Métis individuals over the age 18 with a social insurance number. All educational activities must take place between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2023. All applications are considered in a competitive process and funds are not guaranteed.

Application Process

The 2022-2023 Individual Call for Applications is accessible here. The application is open April 14, 2022, to June 03, 2022. Applications must be submitted online before June 03, 2022, at 5:00 PM (EDT). No late applications will be accepted. Only completed applications will move forward to the Selection Committee.

Applicants Supports

• “How to Apply Toolkit – Individuals”- Available to help applicants understand the format of the application, provide insightful tips, and provide a general outline of what to expect when applying.

• Frequently asked Questions. – visit our Help page here.

• Contact us at [email protected]

NIB Trust Fund will offer Q&A sessions at the dates listed below.

• Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 6:30 PM – Register here

• Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 2:00 PM – Register here

• Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 2:00 PM (French Speaker) – Register here

• Monday, May 30, 2022, at 6:30 PM – Register here

Contact Information:

NIB Trust Fund

Kylie Thompson, Communications Officer

[email protected]

www.nibtrust.ca

The NIB Trust Fund is happy to announce the Grants Explorer, a new interactive beneficiary map highlighting the NIB Trust Fund beneficiaries across turtle island. The map will allow users to explore previously funded Organization programming in regions, amounts, types of projects, and years. The grant explorer shares the exceptional work the NIB Trust Fund and its beneficiaries have been doing since 2016.

Grants Explorer – Organizations to explore our group’s funding.  Click here to start exploring!

Grants Explorer – Individuals, to explore our individual beneficiariesClick here to check it out!

Media Contact:
Kylie Thompson
NIB Trust Fund Communications Officer
[email protected]
343-961-7584