Application guidelines – Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Celebration and Commemoration Program

On this page

• Objectives and expected results for the Celebration and Commemoration Program
• Objectives and expected results for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation component
• Application deadline
• Eligibility
• Who can apply
• Eligible projects
• Eligible expenses
• Limits of government assistance
• How to apply
• Application process
• How applications are evaluated
• Evaluation Criteria
• Application processing time
• Funding decisions
• How funding is provided
• Funding conditions
• Anti-racism and anti-hate
• Workplace well-being
• Public Health Guidance
• Accessibility / Accommodation
• Other requirements
• Acknowledgement of financial assistance
• Impact Assessment Act
• Access to information requests
• Disclosure of information
• Audits of recipients and evaluation of the Program
• Contact us
• Glossary

Objectives and expected results for the Celebration and Commemoration Program

The Celebration and Commemoration Program is comprised of two components – Celebrate Canada and Commemorate Canada. The Program aims to:

• provide access to celebrations across Canada to enable all Canadians to appreciate Canada’s cultural, ethnic, linguistic and geographic diversity;
• provide access to commemorations and celebrations of national significance to all Canadians to recognize Canada’s notable people, places, symbols, anniversaries and accomplishments; and
• create opportunities for all Canadians to participate in national celebrations and commemorations that contribute to building a sense of pride and belonging to Canada.

Objectives and expected results for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation component

This funding, available through the Celebration and Commemoration Program, will provide up to a maximum of $10,000 in funding to eligible recipients to support initiatives that will:

• increase awareness and commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day (September 30), and/or the history and legacy of residential schools;
• honour children who did not return home, Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities; or
• provide an opportunity for Survivors, families, and communities to share their stories and advance inter-generational healing and reconciliation.

Application deadline

Applications must be received by January 23, 2025.

When an application deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday, it is extended to the following working day.

Eligibility

We are responsible for determining the eligibility of each applicant, its project, and project-related expenses.

The Program is highly competitive. Requests for funding may exceed our available resources. If your organization is eligible, submitting an application does not guarantee funding.

Organizations may only submit one application. If multiple groups are collaborating on a project, only the lead organization may apply. Multiple applications for the same project (e.g., same date and location) will not be considered.

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, your organization must be:

• an Indigenous government, band council, or tribal council, or its delegated authority;
• an Indigenous not-for-profit organization or group;
• a for-profit Indigenous organization, provided that the project for which you are requesting funding will not result in income generation for your sole benefit;
• an Indigenous ad hoc committee that has formed for a specific project; or
• an Indigenous-led institution including accredited programs.

Non-Indigenous applicants are considered in exceptional circumstances, as determined by the Program. The organization must work in close partnership with an Indigenous organization and include a letter of support outlining their role in the project.

In the case of partnerships, one organization must assume the lead role and responsibility for the overall management and coordination of the project.

The following are not eligible:

• private individuals and political parties;
• federal government, its institutions and portfolio agencies; and
• non-Indigenous organizations without a letter of support.

In addition, organizations with overdue final program reports may be ineligible to receive funds from the program.

Eligible projects

To be eligible for funding from the component, your project must:

• demonstrate that it meets the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation objectives;
• take place on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day (September 30), during the month of September or in the week following September 30;
• be free of charge (no admission fees or donation required for entry); and
• be open to the public and/or community.

Examples of eligible projects:

• community ceremonies;
• healing workshops, Elder, Survivor or Knowledge Keeper presentations;
• commemorative murals, cairns and plaques;
• educational and awareness materials, speaker series; and
• cultural and artistic initiatives.

The project must not be designed for fundraising purposes or generate commercial advantage or profit.

The following are non-eligible projects:

• regular services and programs, staff training or professional development;
• activities for National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) or National Indigenous Peoples History Month (June);
• activities related to research of burial locations (i.e., surveying, archeological work);
• capital construction and major renovations; and
• activities or events of a primarily religious nature or involving space for worship or congregational purposes.

For information regarding other possible sources of funding for these types of activities, please contact the Program.

Eligible expenses

Only project-related expenses are eligible. These may include:

• project management expenses (e.g., project manager, consultant and professional fees, researcher, technology support);
• honoraria (e.g., Elders, Knowledge Keepers, speakers);
• artistic expenses (artist and performer fees, Master of Ceremony, design costs);
• planning and activity expenses (e.g., event venue, production and logistic expenses, supplies, equipment rental, decoration);
• marketing and communications expenses (including translation in English, French and Indigenous languages);
• merchandise and giveaway expenses (e.g., purchase of orange t-shirts, commemorative pins), which may not exceed 25% of the total amount requested;
• administrative expenses (e.g., salaries and benefits, mailing, printing, photocopying), which may not exceed 15% of the total amount requested;
• hospitality expenses (e.g., ceremonial and traditional foods, beverages, plates, utensils and napkins);^{Footnote 1} and
• travel within Canada (e.g., local transportation, accommodation and meals). ^{Footnote 1}

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• costs related to major infrastructure such as building/restoration of roads, bridges, buildings and purchase of land;
• lobbying activities and advocacy;
• ongoing activities (i.e., regular community services or programs);
• fairs and festivals;
• prizes, gift cards, and awards; and
• fundraising activities.

We cannot fund expenses incurred before April 1, 2025.

Limits of government assistance

To ensure the success of your project, we encourage you to have other funding sources. This may include contributions from your organization, the private sector or other levels of government.

The total financial assistance received from the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation component and other levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 100% of your total project-related costs.

Each project can receive up to a maximum of $10,000 in funding from the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation component.

You can submit only one application to this component per application deadline.

How to apply

Read these Application Guidelines in their entirety before completing your application.

You must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a complete application package to be considered for funding. A complete application package includes the Application Form and the following supporting documents:

• completed and signed application form (parts A, B, C, and D);
• proof of legal status, which can include letters patent, incorporation documents (when required);
• Direct Deposit Form (if you have not yet completed one, or if your information has changed – Annex 1);
• delegation of Signing Authority or acceptable alternate documentation (part E); and
• Unincorporated Applicant Acceptance of Responsibility Form (only in the case of an unincorporated group – part F).

Application process

• Complete, sign and date the application form;
• Attach all the required supporting documents including banking information, letters of support and incorporation documents, if applicable; and
• Submit your application by email.

We encourage you to submit your application package electronically to the following email address: commemorationpensionnats-commemorationresidentialschools@pch.gc.ca

The email must be sent no later than 11:59 p.m. local time on the deadline date (January 23, 2025) to be considered.

Note: If you are unable to submit your application via email, please contact the program to discuss options.

How applications are evaluated

We fund projects that have clear objectives and measurable results. Your application will be evaluated based on the criteria below by a review committee who will compare it with other applications and prioritize in relation to the funds available.

Commemorate Canada consults with relevant entities, such as:

• other federal departments and agencies, and
• other levels of government.

This is to ensure that the proposed commemoration does not conflict or overlap with existing projects.

Failure to comply with any conditions of a previously funded project will be considered in the evaluation of your new application and could result in a rejection of your new application.

Evaluation Criteria

Funding priority may be given to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation component for:

• projects submitted by Indigenous organizations, groups and communities; and
• projects representing diversity in geographic distribution.

Your application will be evaluated based on the following:

• Project objectives: the project meets the objectives of the Program and the component;
• Budget: the proposed budget expenses are eligible, reasonable and linked to the activities;
• Delivery: the applicant has the capacity to deliver the proposed project;
• Reach: number of expected participants; and
• Partnerships: for non-Indigenous organizations, the project demonstrates an established or existing relationship with an Indigenous organization, community or group.

Non-eligible activities will not be considered, and the application will be rejected.

Application processing time

Please refer to the Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs or contact the Program.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application within two weeks of receiving your application in our office.

Funding decisions

We reserve the right to target our funding to specific projects. Please note that decisions regarding eligibility and funding amounts are final.

How funding is provided

We will determine if funding will be disbursed as a grant or as a contribution.

A grant is a payment issued to a recipient for a project. The conditions you agree to at the time of application will apply. At the end of your project, you will be required to submit a report and/or participate in the evaluation of results.

A contribution is a conditional payment issued for a specific purpose, as outlined in a funding agreement. The agreement is signed by your organization and by us and specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment. At the end of your project, you must submit a final financial and final activity/results report.

Funding conditions

For grants, you will be required to submit a final activity/results report.

For contributions, you may be required to submit interim reports during your project and a final report is required if the funding is a contribution.

Where the Applicant fails to remain eligible or where there is a default under this Agreement, the Minister may reduce the funding level, suspend any payment, rescind this Agreement and immediately terminate any financial obligation arising out of it and recover any unexpended amount or any amount that the Applicant was not eligible or entitled to receive.

Departmental funding may be used only for the purposes specified in this application.

In signing the application form, the Applicant declares that they will undertake activities at the location(s) and on the date(s) described in part B of the application. Once the Department has approved financial assistance, no major changes can be made to the project without departmental approval. Funds not used for these purposes must be returned to the Department. When the proposed project undergoes major changes, the Department reserves the right to reduce the grant or contribution at its sole discretion.

When the Applicant informs the Department of major changes prior to the events, the Department will inform the Recipient, within 10 working days from the reception date, of any change to the funding amount.

Workplace well-being

The Government of Canada is strongly committed to promoting healthy workplaces where harassment, abuse and discrimination are not tolerated. Organizations that receive funding from Canadian Heritage must take measures to create a workplace free from harassment, abuse and discrimination.

Public Health Guidance

We expect that you will act in compliance with applicable statutes, laws, bylaws, regulations, orders, codes, standards, directives and guidelines governing the activities for which funding is being sought, including those related to public health and safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accessibility / Accommodation

We encourage applicants to consider potential barriers to accessibility and to provide accommodations, where possible, to allow for the full and equal participation of people with a variety of impairments. This includes, but is not limited to, considerations of physical space (venue, parking, washrooms, etc.), technological challenges and communication needs.

Other requirements

While supporting efforts to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages and to preserve and revitalize Indigenous cultures, Canadian Heritage is subjected to legislations, such as the Official Languages Act. If you receive funding, you agree to comply with the requirements that are set out in your funding agreement, when applicable.

Acknowledgement of financial assistance

If you receive funding, you must publicly acknowledge – in English and in French – the financial support received from the Government of Canada in all communications materials and promotional activities. Additional requirements may be included in your funding agreement.

For additional information, please refer to our Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support.

Impact Assessment Act

If you receive funding, your project may be subject to the provisions of the Impact Assessment Act. If your activities are to be carried out on federal lands, we will contact you for additional information prior to the start of your project.

Access to information requests

We are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The information you submit in your application may be disclosed in accordance with these acts.

Disclosure of information

By submitting your funding application, you authorize us to disclose any information submitted with this application within the Government of Canada or to outside entities for the following purposes:

• to reach a decision;
• to evaluate the results of the project; and
• to support transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.

Audits of recipients and evaluation of the Program

We reserve the right to audit your accounts and records to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of your funding agreement. We also conduct periodic Program evaluations, during which you may be required to present documentation.

You must keep any records, documents, or other information that may be required to perform the audit or the evaluation for five years. Demonstrated failure to maintain such records may result in the repayment of amounts previously received.

Contact us

For further information, please contact us:

Department of Canadian Heritage
Commemorate Canada
15 Eddy Street
Gatineau QC  J8X 4B3

Email:

commemorationpensionnats-commemorationresidentialschools@pch.gc.ca

Telephone:

819-997-0055
1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)

TTY:

1-888-997-3123 (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired)

Agents are available to answer your questions Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Glossary

Administrative Costs

Costs associated with the general management of a project or organization, such as salaries and benefits, fees for services, bank charges and utilities (not exceeding 15% of total approved amount). The Program can only reimburse administrative costs directly related to the proposed project. Administrative costs related to the general operation of an organization are not eligible for funding.

Barrier

A physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal obstacle that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation. Barriers prevent persons with disabilities from participating on an equal basis with others.

Ceremonial or traditional foods

Ceremonial or traditional food is specific to a culture’s heritage and may be integral to a cultural celebration or ritual.

Equipment rental

Specialized equipment rental that is not permanently installed in a space. Equipment for creation, production and/or presentation purposes include sound systems, lighting equipment, staging or rigging equipment, and multimedia equipment.

Final report

A final report is submitted at the end of your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement. Your final report needs to provide the results of the activities you have undertaken for the duration of your project.

Indigenous communities

Indigenous communities are First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

Official-Language Minority Communities

The official-language minority communities are the Anglophone communities residing in Quebec and the Francophone communities residing outside of Quebec.

Volunteer

An individual working on behalf of others without receiving financial or material gain.