Métis Chartered Community Available Funding

Emergent or unexpected needs fall under this category. Some examples include emergency infrastructure/equipment needs, natural disaster supports, community health/wellness emergencies, or unexpected cultural/spiritual/ceremonial events.*

Application Process

Please email communityfinance@mnbc.ca with a brief description of the situation for initial assessment.

Application Timelines

There are no deadlines - applications for this type of funding will be accepted throughout the year.

*Requests for funding to support the office infrastructure should also follow the above process. Community Finance will review the initial submission before passing it along to the Ministry of Housing for follow-up.

An event is defined as any initiative that involves gathering Citizens and community members together for a set period of time in celebration of culture, heritage, language, belonging, community, and connection.

Application Process

Please complete the online application form linked below. There are no minimum or maximum limits set on the amount of funding a Chartered Community can request however, funding must be used to cover event implementation costs. A list of eligible and non-eligible expenses is available within the application form. 

Application Form

Evaluation Criteria

The Community Event Funding Review Committee will evaluate all proposals based on the following:

• Supports Métis-led, community-based events that bring people together in the celebration of culture, heritage, language, belonging, and connection.
• Demonstrates clear alignment with MNBC priorities and the Chartered Community's goals.
• Shows clear benefits for Métis Citizens and, if applicable, the broader community.
• Includes collaboration with other Chartered Communities or regional participation (not required but prioritized).
• Proposal is clear, realistic, and achievable within the proposed scope and resources.
• Identifies appropriate and realistic ways to understand success and community impact.
• Provides a clear and realistic timeline for planning and delivery.
• Costs are reasonable, eligible, itemized, and aligned with the scope of the event.

If you have any questions, please email communityengagement@mnbc.ca

Application Timelines

There are two deadlines per year: April 15 and October 15. Please submit applications well in advance of desired event dates. 

Reporting

Reporting on the success of an event and how the funding was used is an important part of this process. If successful in receiving funding, reports are due by March 31 of the following year.

Please see the online reporting form here. Reports must be submitted before Chartered Communities are eligible to apply for another round of funding.

Please review the following list of eligible expenses:

• Venue rental (event spaces, community halls, arenas, bowling alleys, etc.).
• Catering services 
• Entertainment (jiggers, musicians, etc.).
• Decorations (balloons, banners, streamers, any supplies that are used to decorate the event venue).
• Refreshments and snacks (prepacked snacks, juice boxes, water bottles, fruit and veggie platters, etc.).
• Early Years Resource and Supplies (such as materials for games, activities, and cultural gifts for children ages birth to eight years old).
• Honorariums for Elders (such as an opening prayer, knowledge sharing, and land acknowledgment).
• Honorariums for Volunteers (an honorarium is a voluntary payment that is given to a person for services for which fees are not traditionally required, such as attending an event in a special capacity, assistance for set-up or supporting activities at special events)
  • Honorariums (for Elders/Volunteers) as per MNBC recommended guidelines are:
    • Opening or Closing Prayer $200
    • Half Day (up to 4 hours maximum) $350
    • Full Day (4 hours or more) $500
• Event Planing Costs - up to 10% of total funds received can be used for planning-related costs.

Anything not listed is an ineligible expense, including gift cards and donations. If you are unsure about whether your event or expenses qualify, please reach out to us.

We encourage Chartered Communities to report on the funds within 30 days following your event or events. In the case of multiple events, please note that only one report is required upon the completion of this funding. Reports must be received by February 20, 2027. Funds not reported on will impact your eligibility for future Family Gathering Funding.

Submit Funding Report Here

The initiative is supported through Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) funding and aligns with MNBC’s Ministry of Education Annual Operational Plan (AOP) commitments to the federal government. While IELCC funding supports children aged 0–8, meaningful participation in school district and regional early years and early elementary education systems (0–8) is essential to ensure strong transitions into kindergarten and early elementary (K–3) environments. Governance engagement at these tables ensures Métis perspectives are reflected in decisions impacting children within the 0–8 age range.  

Métis Chartered Communities play a vital role in representing Métis Citizens locally, including participation in Indigenous Education Councils (IECs), regional early years tables, school district engagement, and other regional planning and advisory bodies. However, many communities face challenges due to limited operational capacity and resources.   

The IELCC Community Governance & Engagement Funding Initiative is designed to strengthen Métis Chartered Community capacity to meaningfully participate in early learning and early elementary education systems (0–8 systems) through governance, engagement, and regional decision-making processes. This investment is intended to enhance representation, influence, and coordination rather than fund direct program delivery.  

 This funding is intended to:  

• Strengthen community-level governance capacity
• Support meaningful participation in early years (birth to eight) and K–12 education systems
• Recognize the role Chartered Communities play in representing Métis citizens locally and advancing Métis Nation building, self-governance, and self-determination

 Please note that this funding is a structured governance and engagement investment, not discretionary community funding.  

Each Métis Chartered Community is eligible to receive:  

• This funding will follow the 60/40 allocation model  

• Communities must opt-in to receive this funding  

• Communities must agree to submit a report on how funds were spent at the end of each fiscal year  

• Subject to compliance with IELCC funding guidelines 

Reporting Requirements

To ensure accountability and alignment with the purpose of this funding, communities must submit an annual report.  

 Deadline: April 1 following each fiscal year 

Opt In Form

Reporting Form

Required Information

Communities will be asked to provide information that reflects governance, engagement, and capacity-building activities supported by the funding:  

Engagement  

• Number of Indigenous Education Council (IEC) or early years table meetings attended  

• Number of other early years or regional education engagement activities participated in  

• Contributions to school district engagement or regional planning/advisory bodies related to early years, early elementary (K–3), or transition-to-school planning.  

Professional Development

• Number and type of professional development activities attended by community representatives  

• Training, workshops, or conferences that supported leadership, governance, or early years system knowledge  

Community Impact (if applicable)

• Number of children (birth to eight) indirectly impacted through governance or engagement activities  

• Examples of how community input influenced early years or K–3 planning and decision-making  

Narrative Section

Communities will be asked to provide a short description of:  

• How the funding strengthened governance capacity and regional participation  

• Outcomes of engagement in decision-making or policy discussions  

• Successes, lessons learned, or examples of influence on early years systems  

 Note: This funding is a structured governance and engagement investment, not discretionary program funding. Reporting should therefore emphasize governance participation, professional development, and community influence rather than program delivery. Continuation beyond March 31, 2028, is not guaranteed and subject to future Board approval.   

Please note that the following items are examples and do not constitute an exhaustive list.  

 1. Governance Participation  

• Attendance and participation in IECs, early years tables, and planning forums
• Engagement with school districts and regional education bodies
• Travel, mileage, accommodations, and meals related to eligible activities

 2. Professional Development  

• Conferences, workshops, and training related to early learning or Early Years (0–8) education
• Governance, leadership, and capacity-building training
• Travel costs associated with professional development

 3. Early Years & Education Engagement Activities  

• Community engagement sessions related to early learning or Early Years (0–8) education
• Cultural and language-based Early Years initiatives (birth to eight)
• Family early years events aligned with IELCC priorities
• Supplies and materials related to eligible engagement activities
• Staffing Support
• Hiring or allocating staff capacity to support governance participation and Early Years education engagement
• Administration (Up to 10%)
• Administrative costs directly required to support eligible IELCC-related work
• Rent, utilities, and office supports tied to approved activities

Honoraria may be used to compensate individuals for the following:  

• Opening and/or closing prayer by an Elder and/or Knowledge Keeper  

• Attending an event or meeting in a special capacity (situations in which an individual is providing assistance beyond what would normally be expected within their regular duties)  

• Consultation  

• Participation in a committee meeting, such as IEC and Early Years Table meetings.  

• Payments made to volunteers for assistance with set‐up or supporting activities at special events  
    

Honoraria Rates  

• Opening or Closing Prayer $200  

• Half Day (minimum of 4 hours) $350    

• Full Day (minimum of 4+ hours) $500    

• If an individual must travel, that individual may be compensated for their travel, in addition to the honorarium rate for their time.

Funds may not be used for:  

• Activities unrelated to Early Years (0–8) or education engagement
• General community operations outside the IELCC scope
• Capital projects
• Expenses inconsistent with IELCC objectives
• Costs incurred outside the approved funding period
• Gift cards and donations

 MNBC reserves the right to recover funds not used in accordance with approved purposes.  

• Healthy parenting programs 

• Projects supporting women to enter or remain in the workforce 

• Women’s wellness initiatives grounded in Métis culture 

• Programs supporting women transitioning out of shelters 

• Cultural healing and community support programs 

• Financial literacy programs addressing urban living challenges 

• Mentorship initiatives 

• Programs supporting individuals re-entering the workforce 

• Intergenerational projects connecting youth and Elders 

• Social support programs for seniors or persons with disabilities

• Youth forums and leadership gatherings 

• Land-based learning camps 

• Regional youth mentorship and peer support initiatives 

• Health and wellness education programs 

• Cultural learning activities (Michif language, Métis jigging, medicine bag making, smudging) 

• Traditional harvesting, trapping, and hunting workshops 

• Wilderness survival skills training 

• Learning from Elders about culture and lifestyle 

• Traditional medicines and plant identification workshops 

• Stay-in-school initiatives 

• Cultural programming in urban environments 

• Intergenerational projects 

• Urban navigation or support services 

• Referrals to affordable housing 

• Access to healthcare services 

• Employment support and job readiness services 

• Cultural connection and support programs 

• Childcare and education navigation services 

• Cultural awareness training for non-Indigenous organizations 

• Pre-employment readiness programs 

• Career exploration workshops 

• Community engagement initiatives 

• Community housing plans or housing needs assessments 

• Anti-racism initiatives 

• Pre-employment and job readiness supports 

• Community health and wellness initiatives 

• Cultural healing and community building programs 

• Projects should support urban Indigenous communities 

• Programs should promote Métis culture, knowledge, and identity 

• Projects should encourage community participation and collaboration 

• Reporting should demonstrate clear community benefits and outcomes