TORONTO, ON–On the first anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund, we acknowledge not only the truth of the legacy of residential schools, but also the ongoing efforts at reconciliation.
At the closing event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015, Inspirit Foundation, Laidlaw Foundation and The Sprott Foundation were among the original signatories to The Philanthropic Community’s Declaration of Action. At that time, signatories committed to a journey to learn and remember, to understand and acknowledge, and to participate, act and model in our ongoing process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada.
While we continue to learn, today we are acting:
• Inspirit Foundation is further investing $1.9 million, $1 million via a capital transfer and an annual $0.3 million grant per year for three years.
• Laidlaw Foundation is further investing $2.5 million, with an annual contribution of $0.5 million per year for five years.
• The Sprott Foundation is further investing $4 million, $1 million per year for three years towards granting and an additional $1 million will be invested at IPRF’s discretion.
With funding directed towards an endowment, the Inspirit, Laidlaw, and The Sprott Foundations are demonstrating their commitment to walking beside and with the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund in collective support of Indigenous communities. Transferring capital helps rewrite relationships as a concrete action of reconciliation.
The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund, Inspirit, Laidlaw, and The Sprott Foundations believe the creation of an endowed foundation is an important step in the process of investing in the brilliance, ingenuity, and future of communities across Turtle Island.
“Indigenous peoples have been working with foundations to shift the philanthropic landscape for over 20 years. We knew our communities were already underserved and when the pandemic hit, we would face increased challenges. We came together in partnership with foundations to act and respond to community solutions. Over the past year, we’ve raised over $15 million to stand with Indigenous-led initiatives. On our journey, we are honoured to continue walking alongside Inspirit, Laidlaw, and The Sprott Foundations along with others that have supported us. Together, we are changing how Canadian philanthropy is practiced with Indigenous communities,” said a statement from Wanda Brascoupé, Kanien’keha, Skarù rę’, Anishinabe Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund and Victoria McKenzie Grant, Teme-Augama Anishnabai Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund.
“Like many Indigenous cultures, sharing resources with others for the common good is at the heart of my Dene culture. As a foundation, we are excited to share our resources with IPRF to support Indigenous self-determination in philanthropy in Indigenous communities,” added Mitchell Anderson, Chair of the Board of Directors, Inspirit Foundation.
Sadia Zaman, CEO, Inspirit Foundation said, “We are proud to walk beside the IPRF, as we continue to learn and strengthen our relationships with Indigenous communities. Resources matter in that relationship.”
“Working with the IPRF is an opportunity to be connected to the proud traditions of generosity, ingenuity and abundance of the Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. As a signatory to the Philanthropic Communities Declaration of Action, this contribution is a way for
Laidlaw to demonstrate its commitment to meaningful reconciliation,” said Jehad Aliweiwi, Executive Director, Laidlaw Foundation.
“I think it is essential that the philanthropic community supports Indigenous Peoples to take the lead in decisions that affect their lives and communities. The Sprott Foundation and my family are inspired by the creative solutions that emerge when people and communities have the resources to run with home-grown ideas. That is why it was an easy decision for us to contribute to the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund, and why we encourage other philanthropists to join us in supporting Indigenous-led organizations,” commented Juliana Sprott, Chief Giving Officer, Sprott Foundation.
About the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund
The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund (IPRF) is an Indigenous-led effort to respond to urgent community needs while taking a long-term view on building community resilience.
BACKGROUND FOR FURTHER READING
In advance of National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund hosted an event to announce new funding and to reveal the design of a new logo. They also announced that a total of $8.4 million is being further invested by three organizations: Inspirit Foundation, Laidlaw Foundation, and The Sprott Foundation.
• Inspirit Foundation is further investing $1.9 million, $1 million via a capital transfer and an annual $0.3 million grant per year for three years.
• Laidlaw Foundation is further investing $2.5 million, with an annual contribution of $0.5 million per year for five years.
• The Sprott Foundation is further investing $4 million, $1 million per year for three years towards granting and an additional $1 million will be invested at IPRF’s discretion.
The online event brought together funders of the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund to celebrate the announcements. The event celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund.
The event included the reveal of the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund’s new logo. The topographical lines and fingerprint texture of the design represent the inextricable bond between humanity and nature. It honours the Indigenous value of being the true and original keepers of the land. The image of the three mountain ranges evokes harmony while retaining the unique identities of Indigenous People in Canada. The three mountain peaks honour the three Indigenous groups primarily served by the Fund, the differences in the mountain shape and the warm gradient colour scheme of the logo reflect their unique identities. The sunrise evokes the sentiment of potential, revitalizations, and new beginnings, and the mountain
reflecting resilience and tradition – acknowledging the strength and endurance of the Fund’s mission.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action declare that to redress Canada’s colonial history and the impacts of residential schools, it must build a relationship with Indigenous Peoples in Canada based on a recognition of rights, agency, and independence. Reconciliation is an individual and collective process that requires building lasting relationships with Indigenous communities and an ongoing commitment to advancing the Calls
to Action. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on pre-existing economic and health disparities, support services and programming is more important than ever before. As we look towards the future, philanthropic efforts that seek to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action must prioritize centring Indigenous leadership and restoring agency to Indigenous communities. The new logo acknowledges the core values of the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund – working alongside and with the communities to support Indigenous-led programs that meet the unique needs of the Indigenous Peoples of
Canada.
The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund
The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund is an Indigenous-led effort created to respond to immediate community needs and working towards long-term community resilience. An original signatory on the Philanthropic Declaration of Action in support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, The Community Foundations of Canada is committed to ensuring Indigenous voices remain at the core of their work. The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund seeks to
address the gaps that COVID-19 expedited in providing important services to communities that rely on them. Governed by an Indigenous Advisory Council, the Fund provides support
for Indigenous-led organizations working to foster resilience in Inuit, Metis and First Nations communities in Canada. By providing financial support for Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations, the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund seeks to build long term resilience and fulfill the purpose of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Inspirit Foundation
Inspirit is a public foundation that aims to build a pluralist Canada. Founded in 2012, Inspirit’s vision is an inclusive society where our differences are not only valued but engaged. By promoting equal opportunity and inclusion through funding media and arts for social change and impact investing, Inspirit seeks to achieve a Canada in which all people can thrive economically and socially. Inspirit’s impact investing provides financial returns to be channelled in to granting, programming and operations that support its mission. “We define pluralism as the energetic engagement with diversity, the active seeking of understanding across lines of difference, and a process of nurturing constructive dialogue that contributes to
a deep sense of belonging”. Inspirit specifically addresses the disproportionate levels of discrimination and oppression that Canadians face based on their unique ethnicity, race, or religion, and maintains this priority in all aspects of their work. Inspirit’s equity work recognizes the inequalities that result from systemic exclusion and seeks to challenge discrimination in Canada’s systems to work towards fair access and outcomes for all.
Laidlaw Foundation
Youth that are negatively impacted by the education, justice, and child welfare systems are prevented from achieving their potential and pursuing their goals. The Laidlaw foundation seeks to support youth who are negatively impacted by these systems to achieve their vision of a society where all young people can grow equally. Founded in 1949, the organization advocates for systems change by investing in creative solutions, connecting interested parties,
and seeking evidence-based policy solutions across relevant sectors. Laidlaw seeks to elevate the voices of youth with relevant experiences in the education, child welfare and justice
systems; promote accountability and equity within our institutions; and advocate for evidencebased policy. Interwoven into these systems is the legacy of residential schools and the
impacts of colonialism on Indigenous communities. Laidlaw is committed to Reconciliation and redressing Canada’s colonial history and demonstrates this through all its operations, granting, and investments. In 2019, Laidlaw reported seven decades of responsive and engaged philanthropy – being recognized as one of seven of 2019 honourees for Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropy Awards 2019.
The Sprott Foundation
The Sprott Foundation is dedicated to addressing homelessness and hunger in Canada. The Sprott Foundation funds projects that align with achieving its two focus areas – No Poverty, and Zero Hunger. Poverty encompasses more than just a lack of financial stability and inability to sure a sustainable livelihood, but it affects all aspects of an individual’s life. Those living in poverty are unable to access adequate social services and experience hunger, malnutrition
and the exclusion from political and social decision making. The Sprott Foundation seeks to achieve Zero Hunger, funding programs that support fresh food availability and the promotion
of sustainable agriculture. In 2015, The Sprott Foundation signed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and maintains the alleviation of homelessness and hunger in the Canadian
Indigenous population at the core of their vision.
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