About the fund

The health, safety and well-being of all people in Canada, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, is and will remain a top priority for all.

Canada recognizes that First Nation, Inuit and Métis are among the most vulnerable, and that during this crisis, in particular, those in remote and fly-in only parts of the country are uniquely vulnerable. Communities are incredibly resilient and full of solutions and innovative ideas. This is why we must support distinctions-based measures to improve public health response for Indigenous communities and provide them with the flexibility they need to address the specific needs identified by communities and their members.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 18, 2020, the Government of Canada announced the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. This plan includes $305 million for a new, distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. This funding will also provide support to regional, urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations.

These new funds will flow directly to Indigenous communities and groups across the country and will provide Indigenous leadership with the flexibility needed as they prepare for and react to the spread of COVID-19. These funds could be used for measures including, but not limited to:

• support for Elders and vulnerable community members
• measures to address food insecurity
• educational and other support for children
• mental health assistance and emergency response services
• preparedness measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19

As shown in the map, the Indigenous Community Support Fund will be distributed as follows:

• $215 million for First Nations: allocated to each First Nation based on population, remoteness and community well-being
• $45 million for Inuit, which will flow to each of the four land claims organizations through an allocation determined by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and regional Inuit land claims organizations
• $30 million for Métis Nation communities, which will flow through each of the Governing Members
• $15 million for regional and urban Indigenous organizations supporting their members living away from their communities, and to regional organizations such as Friendship Centres, Métis Settlements General Council of Alberta and Métis in the Northwest Territories

Funds will be allocated regionally as follows:

• British Columbia
  • First Nations will receive $41,129,000
  • Métis will receive $3,750,000
• Alberta
  • First Nations will receive $26,267,000
  • Métis will receive $7,500,000
• Saskatchewan
  • First Nations will receive $30, 188,000
  • Métis will receive $7,500,000
• Manitoba
  • First Nations will receive $35,975,000
  • Métis will receive $7,500,000
• Ontario
  • First Nations will receive $37,581,000
  • Métis will receive $3,750,000
• Quebec
  • First Nations will receive $24,887,000
  • Inuit will receive $11,250,000
• Atlantic
  • First Nations will receive $10,559,000
  • Inuit will receive $5,355,000
• Yukon
  • First Nations will receive $2,379,000
• Northwest Territories
  • First Nations will receive $6,033,000
  • Inuit will receive $5,850,000
• Nunavut
  • Inuit will receive $22,545,000
• Indigenous organizations
  • Regional, urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations will receive $15,000,000 through an upcoming call for proposals

Who this supports

• First Nations communities (including self-governing and modern treaty nations)
• Inuit communities in Inuit Nunangat
• Métis governing members in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario
• Regional, urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations including Friendship Centres, Métis Settlements General Council of Alberta and Métis in the Northwest territories

Deadline

There is no deadline for communities. The funding will flow as quickly as possible through existing agreements.

The deadline for the call for the proposals for regional, urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations will be announced soon.

How it works

Communities identified jointly by Indigenous Services Canada, the National Indigenous Organizations and other Indigenous leaders, based on emergency needs, do not need to apply:

• on-reserve and self-governing First Nations communities will receive funding directly from ISC
• Inuit Nunangat Regions will receive funding directly from ISC
• Métis will receive funding through existing mechanisms to facilitate the speed at which funding can be received

Regional, urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations need to apply through a call for proposals. This call will be opened soon and available on this web page.