Executive Summary
The Small Project Stream 2024 distributed a total of $254,000 in funding to 19 Indigenous youth-led projects and initiatives. Creation received 26 proposals from 8 provinces and territories, representing a funding request of $363,510.
Projects funded through the Small Project Stream 2024 grant focused on creating opportunities for Indigenous youth to deepen their connections to culture through sharing traditional knowledge, arts-based activities, and on-the-land learning. Grantees reported that grant funding primarily supported them in accessing the materials and supplies needed to host meaningful programming. Youth leaders found success in seeing youth actively participating and excited to engage with each other and with their cultures. Grantee projects also provided opportunities for youth participants to access traditional knowledge, and to grow their skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving Youth leaders, meanwhile, strengthened their leadership and facilitation capacity, developing skills that would support them in collaborating with community partners to navigate the scheduling difficulties and logistical challenges that emerged while implementing their projects. In the end, grantees in the Small Project Stream saw success in deepening connections to culture, relationship-building, and strengthening connections to community. As a result, grantees also reported an increase in overall youth empowerment and youth confidence.
Quantitative Results Regional Representation of
19 Indigenous youth-led projects received funding
Groups
26% of funded projects were based in On-Reserve Communities
63% of funded projects were located in Western Canada
Quantitative Results
29% of funding went towards providing Honouraria to youth, Elders, and community members
1/5 of all funding went towards purchasing
Project Supplies
8% of funding was used for Salaries to Indigenous youth
*Percentages based on the 15 grantees that completed their final reports 4 grantees did not complete this section
Quantitative Results
Top 5 Activity Session Themes*
Cultural Knowledge Arts-Based Learning
Learning
1/3 of grantees ran activities focused on sharing Community Knowledge
18% of all activities were Arts-Based
*Percentages based on the 9 grantees that completed their final reports 3 grantees did not complete this section
One piece of advice that I would give to other youth is to learn from and connect with your community. It's so crucial to connect with different people to learn different perspectives, teachings and values Everyone holds their own story, and have so much to offer. Meeting people from our community helped us to further our understanding of our cultural beliefs, and stories to share with the youth. Not only did we meet so many amazing people, but we formed many relationships and memories. These connections strengthen our community, and are the cornerstone of our project.
