Community Action Teams

This grant is no longer accepting applications. 

Introduction:

Community Action Initiative (CAI), in partnership with the Ministry of Health is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the Gathering Our Voices: Northern Indigenous Communities Convening Grant.

This funding opportunity is designed to support First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous-led organizations in Northern Indigenous communities in hosting dialogue-based gatherings focused on mental health and substance use within their communities. The goal is to create safe, culturally grounded spaces for sharing knowledge, experiences, and solutions, while fostering collaboration and collective healing.

Background:

Indigenous communities in Northern BC face several unique challenges when it comes to addressing the mental health and substance use, with geographic isolation, sparse population density, and limited capacity and infrastructure exacerbating the situation. We recognize that historic and ongoing colonialism are foundational to many of the systemic inequities present in Canada today. This is particularly evident in the health and social systems that disproportionately impact Indigenous Peoples. A lack of services that meaningfully respond to the specific cultural, environmental and historical contexts complicates efforts to address the mental health and substance use within Indigenous populations, both urban and rural.

As of December 2024, Northern Health has the highest rate of death of all Regional Health Authorities, with 68.4 deaths per 100,000 individuals. The overall rate of death in BC is 39.9 deaths per 100,000 individuals. Indigenous persons are disproportionally affected by the toxic drug crisis, accounting for 44.1% of deaths in Northern BC, despite making up 14.8% of the population in from 2021-23.

To support the Ministry of Health’s investments in community-led responses to mental health and substance use, CAI is providing smaller Convening Grants to enable community action around substance use. Successful applicants will be invited to join the community of practice for Community Action Teams around BC.

Purpose:

The grant will empower Northern Indigenous communities to lead conversations aimed at addressing the unique challenges related to mental health and substance use in ways that reflect Indigenous worldviews, cultural teachings, and community strengths. These dialogues should prioritize wholistic, community-led solutions, drawing upon traditional knowledge and contemporary resources.

Key Objectives:

This funding opportunity aims to:

• Promote community-led solutions: Enable Northern Indigenous communities to identify, discuss, and develop culturally relevant strategies for mental health and substance use care.
• Build awareness and reduce stigma: Provide opportunities for open dialogue to challenge stigma surrounding mental health and substance use and promote wellness.
• Strengthen community networks: Facilitate the development or enhancement of local networks of support, resources, and partnerships to address mental health and substance use issues.
• Empower Indigenous voices: Prioritize the leadership of Indigenous organizations in hosting and facilitating these dialogues, ensuring the voices of community members are at the forefront.

Funds Available:

At the time of this announcement, the total amount available for this funding opportunity is up to $50,000 enough to fund up to approximately five (5) grants. This amount may increase if additional funding partners participate. The maximum amount per grant is $10,000.

Anticipated Timelines:

These timelines are estimates and subject to change

Launch: June 1, 2025
Application deadline: June 30, 2025
Review and selection process: July 2025
Applicants notified of decisions: August 2025
Project activities completed and funding spent by: December 31, 2025

This grant is no longer accepting applications.

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