Métis Nation British Columbia Cabinet Approves Wave 5 Funding for Métis Chartered Communities and Citizens

January 11, 2023

Métis Nation British Columbia’s (MNBC) Cabinet has approved over $2,000,000 million in additional COVID funding to further assist Métis Chartered Communities and Citizens in need. This wave of funding provided through the Indigenous Community Support Fund (ISCF) will continue to support MNBC’s ongoing initiatives, while introducing new programs and initiatives.

Chartered Communities have continued to play a crucial role in delivering front-line assistance to Métis Citizens.

$1,000,000 in funding will go directly to Communities to help them rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19, which include supporting initiatives around mental health, connection to culture, gathering, food security and PPE.

$100,000 in funding will be directed to Skills Training, Employment, and Post-Secondary (STEPS) to provide one-time scholarships each to post-secondary students currently on a funding waitlist. The Ministry of Education will receive $100,000 in funding to continue to provide direct funding to families who require access to necessary assessments and tutoring services. If you are one of the waitlisted students STEPS will reach out to you shortly.

In addition, MNBC’s Cabinet has approved funding for the following programs and services:

• $350,000 in funding to support various activities for the Ministry of Elders;
• $100,000 in funding for the Ministry of Economic Development to engage an external consultant for the production of an economic business development strategy to support Métis economic recovery from COVID-19;
• $175,000 in funding to assist the Ministry of Sport focus on ensuring that Métis people have access to sports and active living opportunities;
• $100,000 in funding will benefit the Ministry of Culture, Heritage, and Language to continue developing the Amelia Douglas Institute by using the funds for collection, development and curation, workshop materials and supplies, and infrastructure and equipment.

“Helping our Citizens through the pandemic remains a pertinent duty of our Board of Directors,” says Lissa Dawn Smith, MNBC President. “With the continued pressures and impacts many people still face today in result of COVID-19, it is critically important that we continue to support our communities and Citizens in time of recovery and need.”

Over the past 2 years, MNBC has provided the following supports to MNBC Citizens, Chartered Communities, and service providers during the various waves of COVID-19:

• approximately $3,600,000 in direct funding to Métis Chartered Communities;
• approximately $2.7 million in direct funding to the five Métis service providers and other children and family programs;
• funding to support the Métis Counselling Connections program allowing Métis individuals access counselling services;
• over $150,000 to provide grants to support Métis Elders ($250 or $500 per household);
• over 2,000 Métis Citizens supported through housing and utility supplements;
• nearly 1,000 Métis students received education technology support grants;
• over 300 Métis individuals accessed a Harvester Support Fund to support food insecurity;
• over 300 Métis children accessed the Return to Sport grant, encouraging sport for children;
• cultural programming through Métis Youth Connections supporting over 20 youth;
• supported over 250 Métis households through the Home Garden Pilot – created to support food security and mental wellness;
• supported the Metis Financial Corp to distribute grants to Métis Businesses that were impacted by COVID;
• small grants (up to $250) to support individual Métis Veterans;
• increased communications across the Province (online portal, postcards, newsletters, etc.).

Details on the programs and initiatives, and how to apply, will be released in the coming weeks.

NT5