This component of the Celebration and Commemoration Program provides grants and contributions to eligible recipients for initiatives that will increase awareness and commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools, and honour residential school survivors, their families and communities. The program received $10M in Budget 2019 for two years.

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.

Commemorate Canada: Projects up to $50,000 – Deadline April 9, 2020

Projects up to $5,000 – Deadline March 27, 2020 Extended due to COVID-19

To be eligible for funding from the Commemorating the History and Legacy of Residential Schools component, your project must:

• increase awareness and commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools;
• honour residential school Survivors, their families and communities; or
• provide an opportunity for Survivors, families and communities to share their stories and advance inter-generational healing and reconciliation.

Examples of eligible projects:

• healing circles and gardens, community meals, ceremonies;
• healing workshops, Elder presentations, speaker series;
• travelling exhibits and displays;
• commemorative walls, cairns and plaques;
• educational and awareness material; and
• cultural and artistic initiatives.
• The project must not be designed for fundraising purposes or generate commercial advantage or profit.