Connections Newsletter Winter 2023/24

Red Silk River Benedicte Hansen, 2022 Arts Grant Recipient

Photo: Rolf Bettner

Board of Directors

Chair: Huux Percy Crosby

Connections Newsletter - Winter, 2024

Old Massett Office: 162 Raven Ave, Gaw Tlagee

PO Box 588, Masset BC, V0T1M0

1 800 663 2388

Skidegate Office: 226 Front St, HlGaagilda

PO Box 1257, Skidegate BC, V0T1S1

1 877 559 8883

Staff

Executive Director: Carla Lutner

Finance Manager: Christine Carty

Project Officer: Meghan Cross

Communications Officer: Joey Rudichuk

Grant Coordinator: Pam Hill

Administration & Finance Assistant: Ruby Decock

Layout and design: Joey Rudichuk

info@gwaiitrust.com www.gwaiitrust.com

Vice-Chair: Billy Yovanovich

Skidegate Band Council

Director: Billy Yovanovich

Alternate: Michelle (Ooka) Pineault

Old Massett Village Council

Director: Freda Davis

Alternate: Jade Collison

CHN Skidegate

Director: Gidin Jaad Erica Reid

Alternate: Xyallaga Daaguuyah Desi Collinson

CHN Old Massett

Director: Lisa Hageman

Alternate: Vince Collison

Graham Island North

Director: Bret Johnston

Alternate: Terry Carty

Graham Island Central

Director: Maureen Bailey

Alternate: Berry Wijdeven

Graham Island South:

Director: Clyde Greenough

Alternate: Geoffrey Martynuik

Area E

Director: Flavien Mabit

Alternate: Laurie Chisholm

L to R: Flavien Mabit, Terry Carty, Billy Yovanovich, Vince Collison, Clyde Greenough, Bret Johnston, Berry Wijdeven, Erica Reid, Percy Crosby, Laurie Chisholm, Maureen Bailey, Ooka Pineault, Freda Davis (missing: Desi Collinson, Lisa Hageman, Geoffrey Martynuik). Photo Ruby Decock

Frequently Asked Questions about the Travel Assistance Grant

How much is available?

Up to $300 is available per return trip for the Individual Travel Assistance Grant.

What can it be used for?

This grant helps residents of Haida Gwaii travel off-island to participate in educational, cultural, arts, sports and seniors’ events.

Can I apply as a group?

Yes! The Group Travel Assistance Grant helps teams and other groups travel off-island to participate in educational, cultural, arts, sports and seniors’ events. It can also be used to help fund on-island travel for school groups.

How much is available for the group grant?

Up to $300 per group member to a maximum of $4,800 per return trip for adult groups, and up to $6,000 for youth groups.

What’s the deadline to apply?

Applications are accepted throughout the year, and must be received at least seven days before travel.

How often can I apply?

Adults can apply for up to two trips a year, and there is no limit for youth (ages 2-18).

Where can I get more information?

Reach out to Pam Hill, ceg@gwaiitrust.com, 559 8104, or visit us at gwaiitrust.com/grants for more information.

For more information on any of our grants, and to apply online, visit gwaiitrust.com/grants.

Gwaii Trust, as of Oct 31, 2023: $86,942,100

Athlii Gwaii Legacy Trust, as of Oct 31, 2023: $57,728,900

Upcoming Deadlines

Travel Assistance and Continuing Education: Throughout the year, visit gwaiitrust.com/grants for details

Youth Grant: February 1 by 11:59pm

Community Innovation: February 1 by 11:59pm

Major Contributions: March 1 by 11:59pm

Food Sovereignty: March 1 by 11:59pm

APPLY NOW Scan image to visit gwaiitrust.com/grants

Are you on the lookout for grant and funding opportunities in Canada? Visit our Other Funding Sources page.

SCAN IMAGE to visit website

Haida Gwaii Community Foundation

The Haida Gwaii Community Foundation (HGCF) was established by the Gwaii Trust Society in the fall of 2016 as an opportunity to receive funds and issue tax receipts to donors.

There are three funds currently accepting donations:

Carl Hart Legacy Fund

Launched in 2016, the Carl Hart Legacy Fund is building an endowment to support youth-oriented programs at Rediscovery T’aalan Stl’ang in perpetuity. Rediscovery gives young people on Haida Gwaii a chance to reconnect with the land, their culture and their communities. Gwaii Trust has agreed to match the first $250,000 in donations.

Gwaii Animal Helpline Fund

The Gwaii Animal Helpline Fund was launched in November, 2023. Donations support the well-being of companion animals on Haida Gwaii on a longterm basis. Gwaii Trust has agreed to match the first $50,000 in donations.

General Fund

Donations made to the General Fund are unrestricted and used at the discretion of the Board of Directors to meet future priorities and ever-changing needs in our community. Past donations have gone to support medical travel for Haida Gwaii residents through Hope Air.

gwaiitrust.com/about/hgcf

In addition, the Foundation houses the Green Shield Canada Community Impact Fund. Launched in 2022, the fund invests in local organizations dedicated to improving oral and mental health on Haida Gwaii. This includes an investment of $290,000 for flow-through granting over two years (2022-2024), as well as a permanent endowment of $200,000.

Are you interested in establishing a new fund with the Haida Gwaii Community Foundation? Visit our website at gwaiitrust.com/about/hgcf for more information, or contact Carla Lutner at carla.lutner@gwaiitrust.com / 250 559 5807.

2024 Grant Updates

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Application Deadline

Youth Grant

Youth Centred Communities

Major Contributions

Food Sovereignty

Arts Grant*

Community Innovation

Open Call

Feb 1, Oct 1 by 11:59pm

April 1 by 11:59pm

March 1 by 11:59pm

March 1 by 11:59pm

June 1, Oct 1 by 11:59pm

Feb 1, April 1, June 1, Sept 1, Nov 1, by 11:59pm

Continuing Education Applications accepted throughout the year

Travel Assistance Grant Applications accepted throughout the year

Community Events Applications accepted throughout the year until Dec 1 by 11:59pm

Winter Holiday Applications accepted throughout the year until Dec 1 by 11:59pm

For more information or to apply for funding, contact our office or visit www.gwaiitrust.com/grants

*deadline subject to change

MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS GRANT UPDATE

The Major Contributions Grant is designed to support larger projects in community infrastructure and planning. Our goal is to help build safer, healthier, and more attractive communities. Major Contributions is designed to help enhance the lives of all islanders and make our island a more desirable place to live, work, play and visit. The maximum application amount has been updated to $200,000 for 2024.

REPORTING PROCESS UPDATE

In 2024, individuals or organizations with overdue grant reporting, where an extension has not been approved, will need to finalize their reporting before they can apply for a new grant.

Welcome our new Chief Operations Officer

Hello, my name is Latasha Williams. My Haida name is Chaaw Salee Jaadaas (Beach Girl), given to me by the late Naanii Mary Swanson. I am from the Sangalth Sdast’a.aas Eagle Clan. I was born and raised here on Haida Gwaii. I reside in Masset with my husband, our three sons, two dogs, and two kittens. I am very privileged to be able to raise my family in their culture, surrounded by friends, family, and the beaches.

My goal is to continue with the work of enhancing the quality of life in all communities on Haida Gwaii.

I left for Victoria, BC at the age of 17 to pursue my post-secondary dreams of getting educated so I could return home to make a positive impact. I completed areas in: Exercise and Wellness, Indigenous Family Support, Indigenous Studies, and Sport Management.

Shortly after moving back home in 2014, I started working at the Youth Centre, under the Old Massett Health Centre/Niislaa Naay Healing House Society. After almost a decade of connecting with families, hosting community events, and helping to eliminate barriers within our community, I felt ready to bring my passions to a grander platform.

It is an honour to be the new Chief Operations Officer at the Gwaii Trust Society. Their values align perfectly with mine, both personally and professionally. My goal is to continue with the work of enhancing the quality of life in all communities on Haida Gwaii.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SUCCESSFUL GRANT APPLICANTS

Secretariat of the Haida Nation

Jaasaljuus Yakgujanaas

Daajing Giids

GREEN SHIELD CANADA ORAL & MENTAL HEALTH CARE GRANT

Benedicte Hansen

Described by the artist as “a memorial mixed with thought about womanhood in general, birth, life, death, and transformation. The stream becomes a river of hope through support and understanding.”

In 2022, the artist received a grant of $2,227.92 to support the development of Red Silk River. From Sept - Dec, 2023, the work was showcased at an exhibition, Life Writ in Water, held at the Haida Gwaii Museum at K ay Llnagaay. With the inclusion of original music by David Archer, a local composer, pianist, and fellow Arts Grant recipient, the space that housed the final work was described by the artist as “a contemplative atmosphere with visuals and music,.”

Tlagée Old Massett

Red Silk River