Indigenous Agriculture and Relationship Development

Relationship Development and Engagement



Accepting applications until 11:59 on June 26, 2025
Program guideline have been revised for this intake. Please review carefully to ensure eligibility before applying
 

The Relationship Development and Engagement program supports actions and activities related to engagement and enhancing relationships between industry, academia, and Indigenous Peoples, by:

  • Building relationships between sector participants, including industry, organizations, boards, watersheds, rural municipalities and other businesses, customers and Indigenous communities and government to enhance partnerships and explore collaborative sector opportunities and land management
  • Building relationships between research institutions, academia and Indigenous communities and government to support the exploration of research projects or training initiatives
  • Increase community participation in early planning and development of food systems and markets
  • Other engagement or relationship development efforts to increase sector inclusivity

Intake Information

The intake for this program is currently open; funding requests will be accepted from May 29, 2025, to 11:59PM on June 26, 2025.

Applications must be received by June 26, 2025 to be considered for funding. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.

Eligible Applicants

  • Indigenous Groups (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) such as governments, individuals, businesses, communities, organizations, and other Indigenous-led groups undertaking agricultural and/or agri-food initiatives
  • Municipal governments
  • Industry organizations
  • Processor organizations
  • Producer organizations
  • Research bodies, academia

NOTE: Applicants must demonstrate how the engagement project will tie into future initiatives and support advancing economic reconciliation. Non-Indigenous applicants are required to discuss the project with the associated Indigenous community and community members before they apply.

Eligible Expenses

The following expenses are eligible for reimbursement:

  • Facility and equipment rentals
  • Professional speaker and facilitator fees and travel accommodations
  • Participant and Elder travel and accommodation costs
  • Ground transportation costs related to tours and/or site visits
  • Elder and/or Knowledge Keeper fees up to $350 for a full day or $175 for a half day
  • Communication materials including expense related to the development, design and distribution.
  • Provincial sales tax (PST)
  • Overhead expenses (e.g. internal administration, office supplies, use of own materials and supplies, use of own equipment, etc.), capped at 10% of total approved eligible expenses

Project Timeline

All projects shall start on April 1, 2025 or later.

Project activities must be completed, and all reports must be submitted on or before August 21, 2026.

Cost Share Funding

Activities are cost shared between government and the applicant; the cost share ratio is up to a maximum of 100:0 (government: applicant). There is a maximum funding limit of $5,000 per event up to a total of five (5) events. Projects which involve five (5) events can receive up to $25,000.

Additional Information and Documents

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Completing Forms: to complete the Applicant Information Form and the Application Worksheet, right click on the file name below, select "Save link as" and save the document to your desktop. Open the document by selecting file name from desktop, ensuring that the document is being opened with Adobe. If there are any issues with opening the form(s), please ensure that you have installed the most up-to-date version of Adobe.

Terms and Conditions Program Guide Applicant Information Form Application Worksheet Sample Agreement