Indigenous Justice Strategy Engagement Funding

This call for proposals is now closed. We are no longer accepting funding applications.

This call for proposals is for funding to support engagement on the Indigenous Justice Strategy. For information on funding to support consultation, cooperation and engagement activities for the development of the action plan related to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, please visit: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/declaration/engagement/form/index.html

On this page

Overview

The overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system is a serious and complex issue rooted in systemic discrimination and the legacy of colonialism.

In January 2021, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada was mandated with developing, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, an Indigenous Justice Strategy to address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the justice system.

Budget 2021 provided $11 million over 3 years to support Indigenous-led community engagement, as well as collaboration between Indigenous groups and the government, as a first step towards developing an Indigenous Justice Strategy in Canada.

This commitment to collaborate on an Indigenous Justice Strategy was reaffirmed in the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, the Government of Canada’s contribution to the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan, released in June 2021.

Objectives of the funding

Through this call for proposals, Justice Canada will provide funding to Indigenous partners and organizations to engage with their members and citizens on what an Indigenous Justice Strategy (IJS) in Canada could and should include.

This funding aims to support engagement to inform the development of the IJS, and identify legislative, program, and policy initiatives needed to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples and systemic discrimination in the Canadian justice system.

In the spirit of reconciliation, and out of respect for Indigenous rights to self-determination, Justice Canada recognizes that the development of an IJS must be led by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Justice Canada has held pre-engagement discussions with Indigenous partners to discuss how to best support this work. Through these discussions, partners have suggested that an IJS should include concrete actions in the areas of crime prevention, policing and diversion, courts, corrections, and reintegration. Partners have also discussed the importance of social supports (e.g. health, mental health, housing) in improving the experiences of and outcomes for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in the Canadian justice system. Partners have also emphasized the importance of supporting the revitalization of Indigenous justice systems, self-determination and Criminal Code reforms.

The objective of this call for proposals is to support Indigenous peoples and eligible organizations to undertake Indigenous-led engagement to gather input, ideas and proposals to inform the development of a future Indigenous Justice Strategy—including, but not limited to the areas described above.

Engagement on the IJS is intended to be broad and inclusive, and include: First Nations, Inuit and Métis rights holders, including modern treaty signatories, self-governing nations and historic treaty partners, as well as with national and regional Indigenous representative organizations. We also welcome proposals from Indigenous women, youth, elders, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons, as well as urban and other Indigenous organizations and groups.

Key activities

Key activities under this call for proposals could include:

Who can apply for this funding?

This call for proposals is open to:

Given the objective of this call for proposals and limited funding available, only Indigenous organizations and Indigenous-led engagement activities will be considered for funding.

Available funding

There is a maximum of $11 million available for all engagement projects, until March 31, 2024. Funding through this call for proposals can be provided through a multi-year grant. The level of funding will vary from project to project based on the nature and scope of the proposed activities.

Every effort will be made to ensure funding is provided at an equitable level, amongst organizations, governments and groups, and in a manner that reflects regional and First Nations, Inuit and Métis considerations.    

Proposals will be assessed based on reach, membership, method of engagement (i.e. virtual or in-person) and required engagement tools. Proposed budgets should reflect the scope of the project (geographic scope and community targets) and nature of activities.

Please provide as much detail as possible in your project description and budget to support a full assessment.

Multi-year proposals will be considered (for fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24). Maximum amounts of funding available will also be driven by the availability of funds.

Please note: Funds for engagement on Indigenous Justice Strategy are limited, and there is a need to ensure a regional and distinctions-based distribution of funds. Justice Canada will make every effort to allocate funding in an equitable manner. However, it may not be possible to fund all eligible projects.

Length of project

Multi-year projects are eligible, with funding available from February 21, 2022 to March 31, 2024.

Project reporting

Recipients will be asked to provide:

Reporting templates will be provided by Justice Canada to funding recipients.

How to apply

This call for proposals closed on January 24, 2022. We are no longer accepting funding applications.

If you already submitted your application and have not received a confirmation of receipt, please contact us by email at ijp-pja@justice.gc.ca or by phone at 613-941-4193.