TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund

Indigenous artwork superimposed over an aerial view photo of Muncho Lake, B.C.

Artwork: nch7mut | One Heart, One Mind, One People
míkw’achi7m | Marissa Nahanee, sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Nisg̱a'a Nation
Photo Credit: Muncho Lake, British Columbia, Ryan Dickie, Fort Nelson First Nation

Indigenous Communities Fund

The TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund (ICF) offers $5,000 - $25,000 grants for Indigenous-led social, health and community programs. Together, we can make the future friendly by supporting Indigenous leaders and community groups who know their communities best.

View funding guidelines

Our commitment to reconciliation

In partnership with Indigenous Peoples, TELUS is committed to progressing the path of reconciliation in a deeply meaningful way and is dedicated to fulfilling our role and responsibilities in this regard.

For more than a decade, TELUS has collaborated with Indigenous Peoples and organizations to enable connectivity and bridge digital, geographic and socio-economic divides.

Working together, we are helping create tangible outcomes that will impact generations to come.

Our reconciliation commitment

Funding Indigenous-led solutions

The TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund provides flexible grant funding to Indigenous-led programs supporting Indigenous Peoples in Canada across all provinces and territories.

Funding is available for projects focused on, but not limited to:

Health, mental health and well-being
Access to education and resources
Preservation of the land and water
Community building and enhancement
Intergenerational language and cultural revitalization

Preference may be given to programs where technology is being used to advance reconciliation.

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed two times per year. The application portal will remain open until either the first 200 applicants are received or the deadline is reached, whichever comes first. We encourage all applicants to apply early.

Please allow 12 weeks following the application deadline to receive a response regarding your application status. Applications are due by midnight (your local time) on the following dates:

Spring: February 4 to March 4, 2025, or until the first 200 applicants are received.
Fall: September 11 to October 9, 2025, or until the first 200 applicants are received.

Please note: Applying for the fund does not guarantee that an applicant will receive funding.

If you are an Indigenous-led registered charity or qualified donee supporting youth through health or education programs, apply for a

TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Community Board grant

.

Apply now

Funding guidelines

The ICF provides one-time grants to Indigenous-led organizations such as Band Councils, Indigenous Governments or representative groups, community groups and non-profits.

Non-Indigenous-led organizations can apply if they demonstrate a clear and tangible relationship with an Indigenous organization and have documented support from an Indigenous-led organization or community.

Eligible organizations can apply once per calendar year. $5,000 - $25,000 grants are available to support Indigenous-led initiatives that support tangible positive outcomes.

Requests eligible for funding:

Your organization, community group or project supports Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) within Canada
Your organization has not received funding from TELUS or the Indigenous Communities Fund in the last two years
You clearly address a pressing social or well-being need and create measurable community outcomes such as, but not limited to:

Accomplishing individual and community wellness and healing
Reviving cultural strength, knowledge and skills
Helping overcome geographical and economical barriers
Increasing social connections to help foster community engagement.

Requests ineligible for funding:

For-profit initiatives
Retroactive funding
Religious-focused projects or organizations
Sponsorship requests
Sole proprietorship/Individually-owned applicants
Lobbying
Projects that operate outside of Canada
Go-Fund-Me campaigns or individual fundraising initiatives

Indigenous Communities Fund recipients

TELUS is proud to announce the second round of 2024 recipients of the Indigenous Communities Fund.

Birchbark Health LTD Project EagleEye

Project EagleEye aims to revitalize traditional Blackfoot healing practices to support community members struggling with addiction, trauma, and mental health. Collaborating with the Blood Tribe Homeless Shelter in Lethbridge, Alberta, the program will offer culturally grounded therapy sessions led by Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Activities include beading, smudging, drumming, and storytelling, reconnecting participants with their heritage to promote healing and addressing health disparities.

Inuit Art Foundation

Kihew Awasis Wakamik Cultural Society

McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB)

Men of the North Support Group Inc.

Mindful Solutions Not for Profit Corporation

One Dish Project

Past recipients

2024 - Spring

Labrador Friendship Centre

Through the Improved Community Access program, the

Labrador Friendship Centre

will provide access to technology, transportation, facilitate more accessible and sensory-friendly programming, emergency food relief and resume and job procurement programming. The funding will support the purchase of low-cost laptops for clients in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, whose lack of access is creating a barrier to education and community connection.

Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre

The

Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre

Inc., located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is leveraging funds to operationalize a 24-hour safe rides service for women by women. This service will benefit Indigenous women and girls, including paid positions for administrators and drivers. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) highlights the need for safe transportation alternatives for female-identifying Indigenous people in urban and remote settings. The program will help women travel to medical appointments, home communities, and away from unsafe situations. In addition, this program will provide on-the-job training and employment opportunities, empowering women to increase their economic independence.

Fox Lake Cree Nation

Through the Food for All Makeso Sakahikan Inniuwak Program, the

Fox Lake Cree Nation

is providing community members with fresh produce and increased access to traditional foods. Funds will be used to address food security challenges for Nation members in Fox Lake Cree Nation Bird Reserve and the town of Gilliam, Manitoba. Funding will enhance core staffing, provide secure storage units and offer training opportunities to build capacity and ensure program sustainability.

Nanwakolas Council Society

The

Nanwakolas Council Society

, located in Campbell River, British Columbia, is supporting Nanwakolas Nation participants through the expansion of a sustainable clam gardening program. The Nanwakolas member Nations have preserved coastal environments for generations, utilizing ancient agricultural techniques like loxiwe, or clam gardens, to enhance marine species productivity. This project will involve Guardian crews and knowledge holders to lead restoration activities and educate community members, fostering environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.

Positive Living North: No Kheyoh T'sih’en T'sehena Society

The

Positive Living North: No Kheyoh T'sih’en T'sehena Society

will leverage funding to support Indigenous people at risk of or living with HIV or HCV with food and nutrition and a culturally safe environment. The Food Hub Program, located in downtown Prince George, British Columbia, addresses the challenges of stigma and homelessness, promoting cultural safety and social support. Collaboration with community organizations aims to address root causes of HIV/AIDS/HCV risk and enhance overall well-being for people living with HIV or HCV, creating a holistic approach to care and support.

Hamlet of Pond Inlet

The

Hamlet of Pond Inlet

located in Pond Inlet, Nunavut, will use funds to support the purchase of computers and provide instruction for youth. The center will provide online and in-person courses, small group learning sessions‌ and mentorship to enhance computer literacy and technical skills. Interactive Indigenous language learning platforms and language games will engage young learners, fostering curiosity and cultural connection.

2023 - Fall

Tahiuqtiit Women's Society

in the Northwest Territories will use funds to support their weekly Sewing and Cooking Collective Initiative dedicated to Inuit women. These classes invite Elders to share cultural teachings such as traditional cooking, sewing techniques and the Inuktitut language with participants. This safe space is dedicated to gathering and strengthening cultural knowledge and skills.

Tassiujaqjuaq Tusaut Inuktitut Radio Society

in Nunavut is leveraging funds to establish a local Inuktitut language community radio station through the launch of an Inuktitut language podcast. The Inuktitut Radio Equipment Startup project will be the first step in advancing the radio station's mission to produce programming in each community of Nunavut.

Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada

(IPPC) is the only pan-national pharmacy association representing a unique community of Indigenous pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy assistants. They will use funds to deploy the Elders in Residence Guiding Circle pilot project with the objective of reviving traditional culture and healing practices. IPPC members will have access to mentorship, cultural training, and communal healing led by Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers from First Nations, Inuit and Métis ancestries.

National Indigenous Health and Wellness Association

Through the Indigenous Seniors Relief Project, the

National Indigenous Health and Wellness Association

is helping Elders through an innovative mental and physical health program. They will use funds to support their advocacy efforts in raising awareness of issues Indigenous seniors face while simultaneously strengthening their sense of community and cultural identity. Rooted in Indigenous heritage and teachings, this culturally responsive program also includes palliative care and interactive activities, and is dedicated to participants residing in geographically marginalized areas across Ontario.

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg

in Quebec will leverage funds to invest in an underwater camera to capture photos and videos of the field activity that will support the growth and outreach of the Anishinabeg Natural Resources & Wildlife Office. The program aims to encourage community engagement from all members of Kitigan Zibi and the footage of young community members in the field and in the water will be used in the context of community events and school presentations.

Eel River Bar First Nation

Eel River Bar First Nation’s Msit No'kmaq Forest & Nature School Program

in New Brunswick promotes community resurgence and healing by engaging community, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, educators, students and families through the practice of Indigenous land based education. Funds will enable the expansion of the Msit No'kmaq Forest & Nature School program which will support its capacity to reach more youth participants.

Millbrook First Nation

in Nova Scotia will use funds to deploy Lnu' Kiju's Elo'lajik, the Indigenous Mom’s group for mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers and caregiving women both online and within the Millbrook Satellite Reserves. This program aims to bring together maternal figures in Millbrook to learn from one another and reconnect and move closer toward their roots of a social, supportive, matriarchal community.

2023 - Spring

2022 - Fall

Lillooet Friendship Centre Society

in BC will apply its funding toward the ECPC Cultural programming. With the help of local Indigenous knowledge keepers, arts and crafts people and language keepers who will demonstrate and pass on traditional culture and skills, this series of speakers and hands-on workshops will be offered to Northern St'át'imc Nation and to Lillooet area participants of all ages. Activities will range from St'át'imc language instruction and practice to hand drumming and traditional songs, to name just a few.

Skidegate Band Council

The GaaGagaay’s men’s group, a mental health and wellbeing project deployed by the

Skidegate Band Council

in BC is aiming to accomplish individual and community healing for male youth, adult and senior participants who currently don't have access to safe spaces where they can open up about their trauma. Coming together in a men's group will provide them with support, hope and personal connections in their journey of healing.

Toosey Band (Tl'esqox)

The Tl'esqox Band will expand their Equine Assisted Learning program and equine therapy, both proven to help with a multitude of mental and wellness issues including PTSD and multi generational trauma. This funding will allow the increase of instructors as well as equine stock, therefore allowing more youth, adults and senior participants living in Tl'esqox Reserve Riske Creek in BC to benefit equine therapy and its positive impacts on individual and community wellness.

Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Government

A Tŝilhqot'in Path to Healing is a healing and wellness program that will be offered to staff and adult participants by the

Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government

in BC. It aims to enhance community and cultural strength by rooting people through traditional healing and wellness offerings, to support community members’ healing journey through traditional and non-traditional wellness offerings and to provide access to wellness services in the Xeni Gwet’in community.

Chipewyan Prairie First Nation

This funding will support the

Chipewyan Prairie First Nation’s

Head Start Day Care Centre through the creation of a safer and more accessible playground. Enhancements will include the construction of a fence around the play area and landscaping will allow for a greater variety of outdoor activities with easier supervision. Upgrades to the parking and drop off areas will also improve residents and children’s safety during critical times of the day in this integrated community of Janvier and Chard (AB), comprising both a Metis local and a First Nation reserve.

2022 - Spring

IndigeSTEAM

designs programming that connects youth with Indigenous STEM role models, helps them develop a passion for STEM, and challenges the notion that science and traditional ways of knowing are incompatible. Programs like the Robot Pow Wow challenge Indigenous youth to design and build a task-solving robot. Grant funds will help expand existing programs and extend their reach through telepresence robots.

Eden Valley Stoney Nakoda Community Garden

Chief Jacob Bearspaw Memorial School

, in collaboration with

Ciclomanias

, will use its grant to implement the Eden Valley Stoney Nakoda Community Garden in AB. Through interactive courses in agriculture, product procurement, consumption and household management, the project will provide practical skills in garden composting and traditional knowledge, encouraging participants to become earth keepers and promote a sustainable community lifestyle.

Enoch Cree Nation’s mâmawinitowin mîyowâyâwin

Enoch Cree Nation

in AB will apply its funding toward a new wellness gathering place called mâmawinitowin mîyowâyâwin. The centre will directly support Indigenous youth by building capacity for leadership, sport, culture, recreation and outdoor learning. Programming will include peer mentoring to develop positive relationships and increase social connections to help foster community unity and engagement.

Gitmaxmak’ay Nisg̱a’a Prince Rupert/Port Edward Society

Funding will support the

Connecting Urban Nisg̱a’a Language Through Tech

project in B.C. Designed to replace obsolete technology, the initiative will incorporate updated ways to deliver advanced virtual language and culture revitalization programs to the 1600+ Nisg̱a’a citizens living in Prince Rupert and Port Edward.

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation Ground Penetrating Radar

Musqueam First Nation

in B.C.will apply its funding towards developing Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) resources, including policies and online training tools. GPR is being used nationwide to assess lands around former residential school sites, enabling users to see below ground without excavating. Findings will be shared with community members, industry professionals, media and the public, contributing to enhanced understanding and cultural awareness.

2021

TELUS’ commitment to artistic integrity

We are committed to supporting the artistic practices of Indigenous Peoples, while being mindful of the historic role organizations have played in the misappropriation of Indigenous art and culture. We have an obligation and responsibility to ensure that TELUS’ use of Indigenous art in our digital and physical spaces is respectful of Indigenous artists. TELUS works with each artist to ensure that they retain full intellectual property and control over their work.

Contact us

If you have a question or a funding request that falls outside of the application deadlines, please contact us at

[email protected]