Continuing Their Journey (CTJ) Program

Healing Communities and Bringing Children Home

Created in 2021 as a response to the recovery of unmarked burial grounds and missing children at former Residential School sites, the Continuing Their Journey (CTJ) Program supports First Nations communities and Survivors as they continue to address the ongoing harms caused by the Indian Residential School System.

This program funds community-led projects that respond to the recovery or confirmation of unmarked graves and missing children at former Indian Residential School sites. Through CTJ, Survivors, descendants, and communities can heal, remember, and honour the children who never returned home.

What Types of Projects Can CTJ Fund?

Projects may include, but are not limited to:

Survivor Support Groups

Support for Indian Residential School Survivor groups to assist with mental health, healing, ceremony, counselling, and other programs following the recovery or confirmation of unmarked graves and missing children.

Healing and Ceremony

Healing initiatives and ceremonies for First Nations communities, including healing circles, counselling, and reconciliation activities led by Survivors and Elders in response to unmarked graves and missing children.

Research, Engagement, and Knowledge Gathering

Research and community engagement related to Indian Residential Schools and their associated cemeteries, including archival research, local record gathering, and engagement with Survivors to identify known or potential burial sites.

Memorialization and Commemoration

Initiatives that honour and remember the children who never returned home, such as memorials, monuments, or commemorative gatherings.

Bringing Children Home

Projects that seek to locate, identify, and repatriate the remains of First Nations children. This may include archaeological fieldwork, ceremonies, and the respectful relocation of burial sites when appropriate.

Who Can Apply

Funding is open to First Nations communities, Survivor groups, and organizations directly engaged in responding to the impacts of unmarked graves and missing children from the Indian Residential School System.

Successful applicants will work in partnership with the FG Foundation through a cooperative intermediary relationship, ensuring that all project resources are directed toward the charitable objectives of the CTJ Program.

Applicants must be able to:

• Demonstrate how their project aligns with CTJ objectives
• Show meaningful Survivor involvement
• Provide written support from First Nations leadership
• Outline clear goals, timelines, and intended beneficiaries
• Maintain financial records and progress reports throughout the project

What you will need to Apply

To apply, applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) that includes:

• An overview of the proposed project and clear objectives
• Applicant and organization contact information
• A description of the organization or group
• A funding request with a clear financial rationale and detailed budget
• Project objectives, expected outcomes, estimated timeline, and key milestones
• An explanation of how the project aligns with the CTJ Program’s goals
• Documentation showing meaningful Survivor involvement
• Written support from First Nations leadership

How to Apply

Funding is offered through rolling deadlines, providing several opportunities each year for communities and Survivor groups to apply.

The maximum funding amount is $200,000 for a one-year project, depending on project scope and fund availability.

Visit our Apply Now page to learn more about how to apply or contact our team for support with eligibility or documentation questions.