2021 Program & Application Guide
The First Nations Well Being Fund supports First Nations in their efforts to promote well being, increase quality of life for all community members (both on and off-reserve) and reduce poverty at the community and/or Nation level.
The First Nations Well Being Fund offers funding to First Nations and Tribal Councils to support projects related to community well being and poverty reduction. Areas of particular focus for funding will include, but are not limited to, food security, social and cultural supports, employment, education and training, families, children and youth, mental health, and transportation.
Stream 1 – Community Projects Overview
The intent of this funding stream is to support First Nations to undertake local projects in order to promote wellness and to reduce poverty at the community level. This stream may include projects that will assist First Nation members, such as:
Available Funding
- A maximum of $35,000 per project will be available where one First Nation is the applicant
- A maximum of $70,000 per project will be available where there are two (2) First Nations involved under Stream 1 (Community Projects)
- A maximum of $105,000 per project will be available where there are three or more partnering First Nations in a region involved
Stream 2 – Planning Projects Overview
The intent of this funding stream is to support First Nations to undertake planning and community engagement activities to develop a plan (or begin discussions on a plan) that will assist in promoting well being and reducing poverty at the community level. A key component of this funding stream is to provide resources to support dialogue within First Nation communities and Nations about how they wish to measure wellness within their community.
Available Funding
- A maximum of $25,000 will be available where one First Nation is the applicant
- A maximum of $50,000 will be available where there are two (2) First Nations involved, under Stream 2 (Planning)
- A maximum of $80,000 will be available where there are three or more partnering First Nations in a region involved
To apply
Applications are now closed
- Read the 2021 Program & Application Guide (also attached as a PDF file). It outlines applicant and project eligibility, project types, funding stream definitions, eligible costs and activities, provides application requirements and details the review process.
- Complete the Application form and submit the Application in full by the deadline.
Access the Stream 1 – Community Projects Application
Access the Stream 2 – Planning Projects Application
Have questions? Check out the First Nations Well Being Fund Frequently Asked Questions document, below.
Knowledge Sharing Sessions: Register now!
Wednesdays - April 28, May 5 & May 12
This series of knowledge sharing sessions focuses on supporting communities in undertaking planning and community engagement activities and exploring opportunities for measuring wellness. Speakers in the series include Gwen Phillips (Ktunaxa Nation), Jessie Hemphill (Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations), Cara Basil (Secwepemc Nation), and Trish Porter (Secwepemc Nation), along with guests from the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and First Nations Public Service Secretariat.
- Community Engagement: Strategies for Working Effectively with Members
- Wednesday, April 28, 10:30am - 12:00pm
- This workshop will introduce you to effective approaches to community engagement, both online and in person. Join Cara Basil and Trish Porter from Secwepemc Nation, as they share tips and tricks around effective community engagement for small and large groups and discuss how to use a cultural approach to build relationships. Come prepared to engage! In addition, the First Nations Public Service Secretariat will provide an overview of funding opportunities through the new First Nations Well Being Fund.
- Recording and presentations of this knowledge-sharing session are now available! Click the links below to access these materials.
- Measuring Wellness: Developing Indicators for Community Priorities
- Wednesday, May 5, 10:30am - 12:00pm
- What are indicators and why do they matter? Join Gwen Phillips (Ktunaxa Nation) and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), as they discuss how to determine what wellness means for your community and explores approaches to measuring wellness using community-identified indicators. In addition, the First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) will provide an overview of funding opportunities through the new First Nations Well Being Fund.
- Recording and presentations of this knowledge-sharing session are now available! Click the links below to access these materials.
- Full recording of the Zoom session, available via Vimeo.
- Presentation Slides 1 - "Indicators of First Nations Health and Wellness", Namaste Marsden, Ashley Henry, Dawn Hoogeveen, Helen Chan
- Presentation Slides 2 - "Indigenous People closing the gap between who we are and who we want to be by investing in and measuring what matters!", Gwen Phillips
- First Nations Well Being Fund informational overview presentation slide.
- Mentimeter Results PDF.
- "Social Determinants of Health from a First Nation Perspective" Video (featuring Gwen Phillips)
- "Indigenous Data Sovereignty" Video (featuring Gwen Phillips)
- Planning for Well Being: Developing a Community-Led Plan
- Wednesday, May 12, 10:30am - 12:00pm
- Join Cara Basil (Secwepemc Nation) and Jessie Hemphill (Gwa'sala-Nakwaxda'xw Nations), as they review planning basics and discuss the importance of determining what wellness means for your community, starting where you are at, and incorporating language, culture, and unique elements for your community. A representative from the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) will share information on the "Health and Wellness Planning Toolkit for BC First Nations" and the First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) will provide an overview of funding opportunities through the new First Nations Well Being Fund.
Brought to you by
Organizer
The First Nations Well Being Fund has been developed and is being implemented by the First Nations Public Service Secretariat (an initiative of the First Nations Summit Society).
Funder
The Province of British Columbia has provided funding for this initiative as part of its actions to reduce poverty in British Columbia. For more information about the BC Government’s poverty reduction strategy, see: TogetherBC: British Columbia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.
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Missed our Na Beh Ste Sharing Webinar? Catch up on our Youtube Channel now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqR4FFy3KT4
Join FNPSS and Takla Nation on March 8th for our next Sharing Webinar. Takla Nation will discuss their Na Beh Ste Internship Program, designed to provide Indigenous youth experience working in First Nations governance.
Register here: http://ow.ly/rHuQ50N2lB1
Join FNPSS and Takla Nation on March 8th for our next Sharing Webinar. Takla Nation will discuss their Na Beh Ste Internship Program, designed to provide Indigenous youth experience working in First Nations governance.
Register here: http://ow.ly/rHuQ50N2lB1
Mark your calendars! The First Nation Public Service Secretariat Annual Conference 2023 will be held on November 21-23, 2023 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, BC. Registration will open at a later date.
Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date: http://ow.ly/l4RT50N1pkQ
Looking to expand your skills in human resources? FNPSS's Human Resources Management Training Academy (MTA) is running this March 2023 in Vancouver, BC! For more information and to register for this popular course, please visit: http://ow.ly/g6gZ50M68gH
We welcome you to join FNPSS and Takla Nation on March 8th for our next Sharing Webinar. Takla Nation will discuss their Na Beh Ste Internship Program, a unique and innovative culturally immersed program designed to provide Indigenous youth with experience working in First Nations governance.
FNPSS sharing webinars are informal conversations to provide a space for First Nations to discuss progress, challenges, and ideas with those in similar roles. The webinar will be 60-minutes in duration, with time reserved for a Q&A period.
For more information, contact mentorship@fnps.ca.
Register here: ow.ly/5Ygx50N2l83
We welcome you to join FNPSS and Takla Nation on March 8th for our next Sharing Webinar. Takla Nation will discuss their Na Beh Ste Internship Program, a unique and innovative culturally immersed program designed to provide Indigenous youth with experience working in First Nations governance.
FNPSS sharing webinars are informal conversations to provide a space for First Nations to discuss progress, challenges, and ideas with those in similar roles. The webinar will be 60-minutes in duration, with time reserved for a Q&A period.
For more information, contact mentorship@fnps.ca.
Register here: ow.ly/5Ygx50N2l83
Mark your calendars! The First Nation Public Service Secretariat Annual Conference 2023 will be held on November 21-23, 2023 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, BC.
Join us to engage and network with BC First Nations Administration, Senior Management, Elected Leaders, Federal and Provincial government and other First Nations support institutions.
Travel will be supported for eligible First Nation delegates. Registration will open at a later date.
Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date: ow.ly/XYf550N1pjH
Looking to expand your skills in human resources? Join FNPSS for the Human Resources Management Training Academy (HR) running in-person this March 2023 in Vancouver, BC! This very popular workshop will explore topics such as HR planning development, recruitment, performance management, plan monitoring, evaluation and more. Spots are limited and fill up quickly – register now: ow.ly/tmYQ50M685n
First Nations youth aged 18-29 who are currently working or are interested in working in the areas of human resources and administration are also highly encouraged to contact FNPSS for more information at info@fnps.ca.