Contributions to support the basic organizational capacity of Indigenous Representative Organizations

On this page

1. Introduction
2. Legal and policy authority
3. Purpose, program objectives and expected results
4. Eligibility
5. Type and nature of eligible expenditures
6. Total Canadian government funding and stacking limits
7. Method for determining the amount of funding
8. Maximum amount payable
9. Basis on which payments will be made
10. Application requirements and assessment criteria
11. Due diligence and reporting
12. Official languages
13. Intellectual property
14. Repayable contributions
15. Redistribution of contributions
16. Other terms and conditions
17. How to apply

1. Introduction

The purpose of this contributions program is to provide support towards the core operations of national, provincial, territorial and/or regional representative Indigenous organizations and national women's organizations representing the interest, issues, and concerns of their members.

These terms and conditions are specifically targeted to Indigenous people.

2. Legal and policy authority

• Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Act, R.S.C. 1985 c. I-6, s. 4;

Order dated July 2004 authorizing the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to Act as Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

3. Purpose, objectives and expected results

This contribution authority furthers the departmental objective of ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are reflected in the development of government policies and programs and supports all strategic outcomes of the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

i.e. Improving the quality of life and fostering self-reliance for First Nations, Inuit and Métis and Non-Status Indians by supporting the strategic outcome of good governance and effective institutions for Indigenous peoples, built on co-operative relationships.

Funding under this authority supports co-operative relationships with Indigenous peoples by providing basic organizational capacity to organizations mandated by Indigenous peoples to represent them. Providing basic organizational capacity enables these organizations to be effective voices for their members and represent the interest of their respective communities. Funding provided under this authority is intended to have the following outcomes:

• Core organizational capacity to make Indigenous organizations capable of contributing and participating in government policy and program development;
• Better informed representative Indigenous organizations, their members, and elected officials;
• Identification and agreement among members on priorities for action and approaches to issues;
• Input to legislation, policies and programs so that they are more reflective of Indigenous perspectives;
• Increase members' understanding, acceptance and support for the government's Indigenous policies; and
• Improvements in the relations between Indigenous peoples and the federal government.

In the Program Activity Architecture, this authority is listed under: The Government / Governance and Institutions of Government and Aboriginal Rights and Interests.

4. Eligibility

An organization is an eligible recipient if:

1. it is a
   1. recognized representative Indigenous organization at the national (e.g. the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council) or the provincial/territorial or regional level (e.g. Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Council of Yukon First Nations, or Inuvialuit Regional Corporation); or,
   2. it is an autonomous, national Indigenous women's organization representing the interests of its respective First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Non-Status constituents;
2. it is an Indigenous organization incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act or under corresponding provincial or territorial legislation;
3. its membership is restricted to a defined or identifiable group of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Non-Status communities and/or organizations;
4. it is mandated, by its members, to represent or advocate for the interests of those members; and
5. it is not in receipt of any other core funding from any other federal department, including Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs (CIRNAC), for the purpose of maintaining a basic organizational capacity to represent or advocate for the interests of its members.

Funding under this authority supports basic organizational capacity of organizations mandated by Indigenous peoples to represent them.

5. Type and nature of eligible expenditures

Eligible expenditures include, but are not limited to: staff salaries, travel costs, accommodation costs, professional services, meeting/workshop cost, communications and office overhead.

6. Total Canadian government funding and stacking limits

Proposals for funding from each recipient shall address the requirement for the recipient to declare any and all prospective sources of funding for the program, inclusive of all federal, provincial, territorial or municipal governments (total government assistance) and other sources that is expected to be received. Annual financial reporting shall show all sources of funding received. Provision for repayment shall be included in the funding arrangements. Maximum funding by CIRNAC and maximum total government assistance is 100% for eligible programs.

7. Method for determining the amount of funding

The method for determining the amount of funding is based on proposals received.

8. Maximum amounts payable

The maximum amount payable to any one recipient in any year will not exceed $10 million.

9. Basis on which payments will be made

Payments are made based on a cash flow forecast from the recipient.

10. Application requirements and assessment criteria

In order for the department to consider entering into an agreement with a prospective recipient, the recipient will be required to provide:

• proof, in an acceptable form, that the organization is incorporated and in good standing with the jurisdiction where it is incorporated;
• a list of members, member communities or member organizations;
• a statement, acceptable to the department (i.e. copies of resolutions from an annual or special meeting of members; copies of Band Council resolutions from members; copy of an annual general report), that the organization is mandated by its individual members, member communities or member organizations to undertake the activities it plans to undertake with the funds;
• a description of how the organization will report to its individual members, member communities or member organizations on the use of the funds received, activities undertaken and results achieved;
• a statement that the organization is not in receipt of basic organizational funding from any other federal government department, including CIRNAC, for the purpose of maintaining a basic organizational capacity as an advocacy organization;
• a copy of the applicant's most recent audited financial statements;
• a proposal to, and reach agreement with, the department respecting the activities to be carried out, the objectives as they relate to the department's mandate and priorities, the total cost of the activities, and the results to be achieved;
• disclose/declare, in the proposal for funding, any and all prospective sources of funding for the program, inclusive of all federal, provincial or other government sources that is expected to be received; and
• disclose the involvement of any former public servants who are under the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service.

Continuing eligibility will depend on demonstrated performance.

Recipients who are former public office holders must respect and comply with the Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders and the Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for the Public Service (2003). Recipients who are former public servants must respect and comply with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service. Where an applicant employs or has a major shareholder who is either a current or former (in the last twelve months) public office holder or public servant in the federal government, compliance with the Code(s) must be demonstrated.

Applicants shall provide assurance that, where lobbyists are utilized, they are registered in accordance with the Lobbyist Registration Act and that no contingency fee arrangement exists.

11. Due diligence and reporting

The department has in place the appropriate systems, procedures and resources for ensuring due diligence in approving/verifying eligibility for the management and administration of the contributions.

12. Official languages

Where a program supports activities that may be delivered to members of either official language community, access to services from the recipient will be provided in both official languages where there is significant demand and Part IV of the Official Languages Act is applicable. In addition, the department will ensure that the design and the delivery of programs respect the obligations of the Government of Canada as set out in Part VII of the Official Languages Act.

13. Intellectual property

Where a contribution is provided for the development of material in which copyright subsists, conditions for shared rights will be set out in the funding agreement.

14. Repayable contributions

Provisions for repayable contributions do not apply. Any contributions made to private firms under these programs are not intended to generate profits or to increase the value of a business.

15. Redistribution of contributions

Where a recipient delegates authority or further distributes contribution funding to an agency or a third party (such as an authority, board, committee, or other entity authorized to act on behalf of the recipient), the recipient shall remain liable to the Department for the performance of its obligations under the funding agreement. Neither the objectives of the programs and services nor the expectations of transparent, fair and equitable services shall be compromised by any delegation or redistribution of contribution funding.

Recipients have full independence in the selection of such third parties and will not be acting as an agent of the government in making distributions.

16. Other terms and conditions

None

17. How to apply

1. Consult the Reporting Guide
2. Download DCI# 1323248 to your desktop
3. Complete the fillable PDF application form using your desktop application (please note that your PDF viewer must be up-to-date to display the document)