FNHA: The 2023 Winter Wellness Grants Are Now Open!

​This year’s theme is: “Gathering in Wellness: Wholistic connections to nurture spirit, culture and community.”

Williams Lake First Nations (WLFN) Winter Wellness Grant Event 2022: WLFN Christmas Drive Thru for the community which included a visit from Santa, gift giving and a community Christmas dinner.

The grant applications are open until Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.

The changing of seasons and winter season for many is an opportunity to nurture the spirit by reflecting, gathering and connecting with friends and family. With this in mind, the FNHA is providing another year of Winter Wellness Grants to support community-led celebrations and events, in alignment with ever pivoting public health guidelines.

First Nations communities will be eligible for up to $2,500 and schools and health and social organizations that provide wellness services to First Nations in BC will be eligible for up to $2,000 to conduct their own Winter Wellness Celebration.

Here are some examples of community events that can inspire your wellness initiative:

• Namgis First Nation hosted a two day Wellness Basket Weaving workshop in person and virtually for youth in the community (photo above).
• Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation spent a day on the land snowshoeing, sledding and bannock making contests over an open fire.
• Bridge River Indian Band (Xwisten) held Youth Zoom Cooking classes, where ingredients and recipes were delivered to families and the youth cooked dinners with others virtually.

Below are some additional Winter Wellness Grant ideas:

• Healthy Eating: Canning workshops, traditional foods and plants harvesting, community feasts, food hampers, cooking classes etc.
• Being Active: Snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, tobogganing, cultural games and activities, dancing, powwow Zumba, yoga workshops etc.
• Nurturing Spirit: Making medicine bags, drums, moccasins, ribbon skirts, beading workshops, language workshops, Elders teachings, drumming etc.
• Respecting Tobacco: Tobacco and traditional medicines workshop, growing or harvesting traditional tobacco and other medicines, gifting tobacco etc.

Grant Criteria:

1. The Grants are intended to support gathering initiatives that encourage First Nations in BC to celebrate and the winter season.
2. Activities must be conducted through methods that are in alignment with the current orders of the Provincial Health Officer. As of the time of this writing, there are currently no orders restricting gatherings in BC. However, this may change and may require you to pivot your initiatives to be in alignment with orders as needed. See provincial and regional restrictions – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) for more information.
3. Eligible recipients include First Nations communities, BC schools, and health and social organizations that provide wellness services to Indigenous people in BC
4. Please note: For-profit organizations and Métis Chartered Communities/organizations are ineligible for wellness grants.
5. One application per community, organization, and/or school. Recipients are encouraged to collaborate with neighbouring communities and organizations where feasible, if more than one application is submitted.
6. Eligible First Nations recipients are able to access a single grant up to $2,500 and eligible BC schools and health and social organizations that provide wellness services to Indigenous people in BC up to $2,000.
7. A completion of a brief closing report will be required to capture the highlights of your initiative.
8. FNHA recommends that events or initiatives take place between Jan. 16 and February 10, 2023
9. Closing Reports are due no later than March 10, 2023.

How to Apply:

Deadline to submit an application is Friday, Dec.​ 2​, 2022 at 4pm.

There are three ways to submit an application:

1. Complete the online application form (preferred method)

2. Download and complete the fillable application form and email it to active@fnha.ca

3. Download and complete the application form and fax it to 604-913-2081 – it is your responsibility to confirm the application has been received by calling (604) 785-2216

For more information, please email active@fnha.ca.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply for the Wellness Grants?

The funding applications for a Community Wellness Grant must be received from: (1) a First Nations Community/Band/Village Council.  (2) an organization or agency that services Indigenous People and is a registered society, or (3) a school or educational institution. (Please Note: For profit organizations and Métis Chartered Communities/organizations are ineligible for wellness grants).

2. Can an Individual apply for a grant?

No. The funds cannot be distributed to an individual. The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) encourages people with an idea or concept to match and connect with a group that meets the criteria described in question one.

For example: if you are a certified yoga instructor who wants to provide a workshop, either in person or online, this may be an opportunity to work with a local school or First Nations community.

3. When can the event or initiative take place?

The FNHA recommends the event or initiative take place between January 16 and February 10, 2023. If there are goals outside this timeframe, please contact Wellness@fnha.ca.

4. Can I use the funds for an Elder Honourarium?

Yes. The funds can be used to provide an honourarium to an Elder for their services. Funds may not be used for the following: (1) the purchase of alcohol, (2) the purchase of concession items, (3) prize money, or (4) illegal purchases. The grant funds may be used for other forms of prizes, including gift cards.

5. Who can I contact for more help or to answer other questions?

Team members are available during regular business hours by phone or email.

If you have any questions, please email active@fnha.ca.

If you would like to speak to a team member by phone, call (604) 785-2216​.

NT5