Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund – Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund: Reconciliation Action Grant

Upcoming Deadlines: September 9 & December 9, 2026; Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis.

Program Summary:

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) and Hudson’s Bay Foundation (HBF) are pleased to support Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities through Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund. The Blanket Fund is offered through two different grant streams, and we invite applications from Indigenous people, as well as Indigenous-led initiatives and organizations from throughout Canada.

Offered through two grant streams (Reconciliation Action Grants and Capacity Building Grants), The Blanket Fund can be accessed by both grassroots Indigenous communities and organizations, and by Indigenous individuals undertaking related initiatives.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS:

The Reconciliation Action grant stream focuses on Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities, events, and initiatives that contribute to cultural revitalization, elevate Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions, increase understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, or other grassroots initiatives that move reconciliation forward through culture, art, and education.

Successful Reconciliation Action grant recipients will demonstrate the following in their applications:

• The grant will reach Indigenous people.
• The grant will support Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities, events, and initiatives.
• Indigenous people have played a role in developing the activity, event, or initiative.
• The activity, event, or initiative brings Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples together in the spirit of reconciliation.
• There are defined outcomes for the activity, event, or initiative.

Grant Amount:

$1,500-$15,000

Eligible Applicants:

Indigenous educators, cultural creators, community leaders, artists, Elders, youth, and others are encouraged to apply. Non-Indigenous individuals and organizations can apply, as long as all funds received go to Indigenous people, communities, or organizations (i.e., a non-Indigenous school/educator can apply for funding to bring an Indigenous Elder to speak to the school or a class).

Eligibility Note: Individuals may only apply if the activity, event, or initiative benefits Indigenous people and communities.

All funds must be spent supporting an Indigenous-led activity, event, or initiative. This stream does not fund ongoing programs or projects. It is a one-time grant.

Non-registered charities will act as an extension of DWF for legal purposes to deliver reconciliation programming, which will require a trustee agreement. DWF will provide the documentation to ensure compliance with CRA regulations.

If you have additional questions about your eligibility, please email us at fund@downiewenjack.ca or call 1-833-666-2414 ext. 13.