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Indigenous

Please note that the funds may update programs, guidelines and FAQs without notice. Please visit the website of any fund you are interested in for further details.

For additional programs, check out funding opportunities for provinces and territories.

This funding provides support for the development of an individual Indigenous artist, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists in Alberta by providing funding for a specific cultural or artistic project.

The World’s first national Indigenous broadcaster.  APTN is an essential player in the creation of new content, contributing 90% of its annual programming budget to commissioning original content.

Supports films and filmmakers with Indigenous origins with a focus on the environment, Indigenous knowledge, land rights, sharing knowledge of climate change and building capacity for Arctic filmmaking.

Supports Indigenous artists, curators and groups to engage in artistic creation and professional development. Eligible projects can range from research and development for the creation of new works to the creation and presentation of artistic work to activities that support and strengthen the Indigenous arts community.

Provides career training, mentorship, job access and wraparound services (mental wellness support, anti-racism and anti-discrimination workplace intervention) to racialized and Indigenous professionals working in Canada’s screen media industry.

The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) Recognition, Inuit and First Nations Arts program provides grants for professional and emerging Inuit or First Nations artists. The program operates through three components: revitalization, creation, and transmission; microgrants; and impetus. Applicants must be Canadian citizens and residents of Quebec. Apply online at any time.

Supports Indigenous individuals, groups, Indigenous-led arts organizations and arts/cultural sector development organizations that foster a vital and resilient Indigenous arts ecosystem. First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, groups and organizations may apply to Creating, Knowing and Sharing (or to the other five Canada Council programs) for funding for artistic and cultural activities.

Forms part of the CMF’s Convergent Stream and supports the growth of Indigenous production.

Hot Docs Film Funds provide documentary filmmakers with development, production and completion grants, as well as valuable professional development opportunities. Funds include CrossCurrents for Indigenous, Francophone, persons with disabilities, racialized and people of colour; Slaight Family Fund for stories centred on music; Ted Rogers Fund; and Partners Project, which brings together filmmakers and private investors.

Supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis storytellers from across Canada including representation from diverse regions, women, 2SLGBQTIA+, emerging creators and Indigenous language groups. ISO funding opportunities are available through two key streams: the ISO Story Fund and Sector Development Programs.

The Indigenous 360 program supports artistic and cultural activities by Indigenous applicants, including artists, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous-led arts groups and Indigenous-led organizations.

In 2017, the NFB launched its living, breathing Indigenous Action Plan, which included a commitment that 15% of NFB’s production spending would be allocated to projects by Indigenous directors. The Action Plan was written in conjunction with industry professionals who make up the NFB’s Indigenous Advisory Group.

For Canada’s first provincial-national partnership focused on Indigenous creators, Rogers teamed up with Creative BC to give financing assistance for early development work of a new project, or next-phase early development work of an existing project. Covers activities such as research and development, community engagement, and scriptwriting.

Telefilm is committed to ongoing engagement with a variety of stakeholders, including Indigenous filmmakers, community members, industry professionals and organizations, through a variety of means, overseen by the Lead, Indigenous Initiatives & Content Analyst.

Supports the development of feature films that will speak to Canadian and international audiences, and that will bring both cultural impact and audience engagement. Telefilm seeks to fund films that will proceed to production and build and contribute to our Canadian cultural legacy. There are three streams: Selective, for producers who have produced a theatrically released film; Indigenous Stream; and Stream for Black and people of colour.