Current Problems

Language and Culture (13-17)

Defunding Indigenous Cultural Fund

May 30, 2019

Eliminating the $5M Indigenous Culture Fund in its entirety. The Fund was set up in response to calls for action from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The initial plan was to cut $2.25 million. (Canadian Art). The Indigenous Culture Fund was set up last year and is administered by the Ontario Arts Council. It supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis community-based cultural projects. The province was to make annual contributions of $5 million
NOW – Four Indigenous women who administer the ICF have also been laid off, effectively suspending activity within the program. (NOW). This represents a step backward from Reconciliation. This program provided services to the province with the largest Indigenous population.