Ontario – Ontario is taking action to advance economic development in Indigenous communities across the province. On November 2, 2023, applications opened for two annual funding programs, which provide grants and financing for Indigenous peoples. The Indigenous Economic Development Fund provides $3.2 million through various funding streams to support projects that diversify Indigenous economies and increase access to employment and training opportunities. Applications close on December 19, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET.
The Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program provides $6 million to fund the development of Indigenous infrastructure projects. Applications close on December 21, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET.
Previously approved projects through these programs are as follows:
2022 – 2023 Indigenous Economic Development Fund
Economic Diversification Grant
| Recipient Name | Maximum Funding Amount | Project Name |
| Anishinabek Employment & Training Services | $ 100,000.00 | AETS Indigenous Liaison Officer for LMI Support, Training to Employment Advising, and Retention Coaching. |
| Beaverhouse First Nation | $ 100,000.00 | BHFN Economic Development Strategic Plan |
| Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation | $ 100,000.00 | Anishinaabe Cultural Experiences Business Development Project |
| Georgian Bay Native Women’s Association | $ 100,000.00 | The Indigenous Economic Development Program- Nokomis’ Gifts |
| Lac Seul First Nation | $ 100,000.00 | Lac Seul First Nation Economic Development Strategic Plan |
| Lake Nipigon Forest Management Inc. | $ 100,000.00 | Pre-feasibility Study to Examine the Reality of a Bio-Fuel Facility in the Lake Nipigon Forest |
| Michipicoten First Nation | $ 81,000.00 | Tremblay Flats Industrial Park Business Implementation & Operation Plan |
| Missanabie Cree First Nation | $ 100,000.00 | Missanabie Cree First Nation Economic Development Strategic Plan |
| Moose Cree First Nation | $ 100,000.00 | Moose Cree Drone Initiatives – Implementation Project 2022 |
| Native Canadian Centre of Toronto | $ 100,000.00 | Cedar Basket Growth and Development Plan |
| Niiwin Wendaanimok Limited Partnership | $ 100,000.00 | Niiwin Wendaanimok Business Planning and Capacity Development Project |
| Pawgwasheeng Economic Development Corporation | $ 100,000.00 | Pawgwasheeng Economic Development Corporation – Economic Strategic Plan Implementation |
| Rainy Lake Tribal Area Business and Financial Services Corporation | $ 100,000.00 | Capacity Building & Economic Development |
| Sheshegwaning First Nation | $ 100,000.00 | Sheshegwaning Naagdawenjgek- People who take Care – National Security Guard Business Proposal |
| Wabun Tribal Council | $ 69,850.00 | Regional Agricultural Business Development Strategy |
| Wasauksing First Nation | $ 54,000.00 | Wasauksing First Nation Marina Performance Assessment, and Update and Implement the Marketing Strategy |
| Washagamis Bay Investment Corporation | $ 100,000.00 | Washagamis Bay Investment Corporation Strategic Business Plan Project-Phase 1 |
| Z’gamok Enterprises Inc. | $ 100,000.00 | ZCLP Business Growth |
2022-23 Regional Partnership Grant
| Recipient Name | Maximum Funding Amount | Project Name |
| Anishinabek Employment & Training Services | $ 250,000.00 | AETS Multiple Trades Training Initiative for First Nation Citizens in Northwestern Ontario |
| Huronia Area Aboriginal Management Board | $ 250,000.00 | HAAMB Carpentry Training Program |
| Warrior Engineering | $ 74,483.20 | Warrior Engineering – Community Capacity Building and Technical Employment Opportunities |
2022 – 2023 Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program
| Recipient Name | Maximum Funding Amount | Project Name |
| Aroland First Nation | $150,000 | Supporting the Detailed Design of a Childcare Learning Facility in Aroland First Nation |
| Missanabie Cree First Nation | $63,000 | Missarenda Renovation Project – Minor Renovation |
| Mitaanjigamiing (Stanjikoming) First Nation | $142,178 | Mitaanjigamiing First Nation (MFN) Childcare and Learning Facility (CLF) Phase II: Facility Design- Detailed Design |
| Beausoleil First Nation | $75,000 | Beausoleil Day Care Centre Feasibility Study |
| First Nations Technical Institute | $600,000 | Indigenous Net-Zero Campus Building- Construction |
| M’Chigeeng First Nation | $150,000 | Nigaan Zhaadaa Da Naadmaadzihmiih (Going Forward We Are Helping Ourselves)- Detailed Design |
| Couchiching First Nation | $150,000 | Couchiching First Nation Training Centre Design – Detailed Design |
| Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nations | $75,000 | Sagamok Anishnawbek Family Hub Feasibility Study |
| Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation | $71,710 | Studying the Proposed Expansion of CKSPFN Head Start Daycare Facility |
| Bearskin Lake First Nation | $849,899 | Improving Bearskin Lake First Nation energy infrastructure resilience with a new facility to enable more reliable and efficient operation |
| Constance Lake First Nation | $75,000 | Constance Lake First Nation – Multi-Use Centre Feasibility Study |
| Garden River First Nation | $73,950 | Feasibility Study: Improving Opportunity and Resilience via Economic, Social, and Cultural Investment in Garden River’s Silver Creek Golf |
| Ginoogaming First Nation | $49,374 | Ginoogaming First Nation Transitional Home – Feasibility Study |
| Northwest Angle #33 First Nation | $75,000 | Northwest Angle First Nation #33 Multi-Use Centre Feasibility Study |
| Antoine Algonquin Community Services Corporation | $75,000 | Antoine Nation’s Socioeconomic and Skills Training Centre – Feasibility Study |
| Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation | $75,000 | Seven Generations Business Park – Feasibility Study |
| Cat Lake First Nation | $75,000 | Feasibility study to develop band office/community complex in Cat Lake First Nation. |
| Eagle Lake First Nation | $75,000 | Multi-Use Centre Feasibility Study |
| MoCreebec Eeyoud | $74,800 | MoCreebec Eeyoud Community Business Centre Feasibility Study |
| Aboriginal Experiences, Arts and Culture | $57,750 | Mādahòkì Farm Pavilion & Barn Expansion Feasibility Study |
| Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek | $44,000 | Feasibiliity Study – Bagwisendam First Nation Culturally Based Addictions Treatment Centre |