Grants to Land Claim Organizations, Self-Government Agreement Holders and First Nations Organizations to support harvesting of Country Foods and grants to Northern communities in support of market food access

Food insecurity in the North is a growing problem. With a cost of living up to 10 times that of the south, low incomes, poor infrastructure and fragile supply chains threatened by global warming, northern isolated communities are in need of support, beyond the retail subsidy.

In recognition of the importance of country foods traditionally harvested by Indigenous peoples, including through hunting, fishing, and gathering to the nutrition, food security, culture and traditions of Indigenous communities serviced by the Nutrition North Program, the Government of Canada created a Harvester's Support Grant (HSG) in 2019 to subsidize the collection and production of these foods. The purpose of this grant is to support food sharing within the immediate community by increasing the number of community harvesting and food sharing initiatives as well as the number of harvesters of engaging in these activities.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Nutrition North Canada has continued to engage with Northerners, identifying additional measures that can be put into place to assist in feeding the most vulnerable in these communities. Expansion of the Harvesters Support Grant to support other subsistence activities, such as backyard gardening, and broader support to harvesters such as eligibility of equipment storage and repair facilities have been included and, in recognition of the continued importance of market foods in communities, a new component has been added, the Community Food Programs Fund.

The Community Food Programs Fund recognizes that access to market foods in communities is a critical component of food security and is configured to support all communities, regardless of distinction, to increase access to and distribution of market foods within their communities. From increasing storage and distribution capacity to supporting ordering of food from the south and supporting similar local food programs, the Community Food Programs Fund has been developed with the goal of supporting communities to ensure that even the most vulnerable have access to food, while recognizing the things that communities already do to achieve the same goal.

The Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and is committed advancing a nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown and government‑to‑government relationship with Modern Treaty and self-governing First Nations and Inuit. As such the Harvester's Support Grant and its Community Food Programs Fund component has been designed to balance NNC accountabilities to the public with the accountabilities of Indigenous Governments and organizations to their citizens and the capacities of the individual communities. As such, the Harvesters Support Grant and its Community Food Programs Fund component is delivered in the two streams, a Land Claim Organization and Self-Government Stream, and a Communities Stream.

A third stream was created in 2021 to enable non-indigenous communities to access the Community Food Programs Fund component, in recognitions that, while they do not hold an Indigenous right to subsistence harvesting, these communities do have need of support in strengthening their access to market foods as well as their resilience in the face of health crisis and climate change.

3.1 Land Claim Organizations and Self-Government Stream

Funding is provided in the form of a 5-year Grant to regional Indigenous governments, Self-Government Agreement Holders and Land Claim Organizations with a finalized agreement, in keeping with Government of Canada Commitments to government-to-government relationships and the honouring of modern treaties.

In keeping with the federal government's reconciliation objectives of supporting Indigenous self-determination, the objective is to allow these governments to determine the best use of Harvesters Support Grant to meet the needs of their citizens, whether it be through supporting their existing Programs, developing new Programs, seeking to partner with another organization, or through direct delivery.

Grant Agreements will be negotiated with each entity within this stream to establish payment frequency and expected results over the 5-year period of the Agreement.

3.2 Communities Stream

Funding is also provided to eligible First Nations organizations in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories who represent isolated NNC communities in these provinces in the form of a grant.

Where a community is not represented by an organization, that community may develop a proposal to be submitted independently at the invitation of NNC.

3.3 General Application Stream

Funding is provided to support access to market foods to communities, organizations and Provincial/Territorial Governments representing isolated, non-indigenous communities eligible under the Nutrition North Canada subsidy component and where the communities to which the support is directed are isolated for more than 8 months per year.

5.1 Eligibility Criteria for the Land Claim Organizations and Self-Government Stream

Funding is provided in the form of a grant, with yearly installments for each of 5 years set out in advance, to regional governments, Self-Government agreement holders and Land Claim Organizations where the organisation:

• is party to a finalized agreement or agreements detailing an interest in or control over harvesting rights
• Land Claims Organizations with harvesting rights that are recognized within the Province or Territory and who have signed an Agreement in Principle supporting the negotiation of a Land Claim Agreement
• contain, within their jurisdiction, one or more communities eligible for NNC subsidy
• have established and documented mechanisms for supporting accountability to their citizens
• have published financial statements for the preceding five-year period meeting financial performance standards as established through agreement with Canada

5.2 Eligibility Criteria for the Communities Stream

On the recommendation of the Women's Council of the Harvesters Support Grant, NNC shall issue an invitation to First Nations organizations and Tribal Councils to submit regional proposals to the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund where the organization can demonstrate:

1. A proven history of proficiently delivering federal government Programming to one or more First Nations which contain, within their traditional territories, communities which are eligible for subsidies under the Nutrition North Canada Program, and which are made up of members of that First Nation holding treaty rights to subsistence harvesting.
2. Effective community representation as demonstrated by membership of represented communities on management boards or other decision-making body that is integral to the operation or financial governance of the organization.

NNC will consult with First Nations and/or Tribal Councils to ensure these organizations can effectively represent the interests of the communities in the delivery of the grant. Upon agreement, NNC will confirm financial eligibility in consultation with other federal department(s) for whom the recommended organization delivers programming.

This financial eligibility will be based on:

1. At minimum, a 5-year history of the sound management of one or more Federal Programs as supported through a contribution agreement or grant agreement, without default, as confirmed by the federal department with accountability for that Program.
2. Audited financial statements for the preceding 5-year period that meet financial performance standards as established through agreement with Canada.

If approved, the organization becomes eligible to receive funding through this stream on April 1 of the subsequent fiscal year. Ongoing assessment will take place to ensure that recipients continue to meet the eligibility criteria on an annual basis.

5.3 Application Requirements and Application Process for the Communities Stream

First Nations Organizations shall submit a letter of application on invitation from Nutrition North Canada, providing contact information of a federal official who is able to provide information concerning the performance of the organization in delivering federal programming and authorizing NNC to access the financial performance organization over the previous 5 years.

NNC will request information on the Organization's financial performance and performance of the organization in delivering the objectives of Federal Programs as well as their compliance with program terms and conditions.

NNC shall issue a letter of acceptance to each applicant organization, outlining the total number of years of grant eligibility and total maximum grant amount for which the organization is eligible.

Eligible organizations will work with the member communities to gather the requirements, including proposed expenditures, food sharing requirements and results expected. Requests from individuals are not to be accepted.

5.4 Community Food Programs Fund: General Application Eligibility Criteria

On the determination of Nutrition North Canada, a non-indigenous community which experiences an isolation period of greater than 8 months continuously and who is assessed to be at high need, may be offered supports for any of the activities contained in section 8- Community Food Programs Fund, as identified by Nutrition North Canada in its Letter of Invitation, through agreement between Canada and the order of Government (Provincial, Territorial, Indigenous or Municipal) best positioned to provide effective support to that community or communities.

6.1 Land Claim Organizations and Self-Government Agreement Holders

Land Claim Organizations and Self-Government Agreement Holders may fund any activities consistent with regional or territorial food security plans or initiatives as adopted by their respective boards. For example, in Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit Food Security Strategy and its associated implementation plan shall be the foundational document, and all supported activities shall be consistent with this strategy.

6.2 Communities Stream categories of eligible expenditure

Recipients within the Communities Stream will be asked to develop proposals which may include activities and expenditures included in both Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food programs components, allocating funding according to need across both section 7 Harvesters Support Grant and section 8 Community Food Programs Fund components seamlessly. Where more than one organization delivers different aspects of food security to the same group of eligible communities, a joint proposal may be submitted on invitation of Nutrition North Canada.

6.3 Community Food Programs Fund- General application

Recipients qualified under the General Application stream may expend funding in any of the Community Food Programs Fund eligible expenditure categories as identified in the Letter of Invitation issued by Nutrition North Canada.

Category 7.1: Traditional Knowledge, Practices and Decision Making

1. Decision Making: Support for existing or new traditional decision-making structures convened to govern harvesting activities, including elders councils and women's councils including honoraria (up to 50%, in accordance with tradition), and travel expenses.
2. Training: The costs associated with training new harvesters in traditional practices, in traditional ecological knowledge and traditional harvesting and processing or preparation techniques are eligible where they support harvesting, food sharing, or processing of harvested goods.
3. Ceremony and celebration: Costs associated with ceremony and celebration of harvesters are eligible, sewing equipment required to make regalia, gifts honoring harvesters, among others.

Category 7.2: Hunting and Harvesting

1. Transportation and Related Capital Investments: Off-road transportation, such as utility boats, outboard motors, all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles required to reach harvesting locations within traditional areas are eligible. Costs of travel to remote hunting grounds are eligible.
2. Consumable and Fuel Expenses: Fuel for off-road vehicles and outboard motors is an eligible expense. Food and supplies required for community harvesting events, where the harvesting activities are for the purpose of contributing to vulnerable members of the community, are eligible.
3. Harvesting Equipment: Equipment required for a range of harvesting activities is eligible, including fishing equipment, plant and berry harvesting items and supplies, hide preparation and finishing equipment and supplies.
4. Maintenance of Equipment: Repair and rehabilitation of off-road vehicles and boats used for harvesting activities as well as the repair, maintenance and rehabilitation of equipment used for harvesting activities or equipment used for the purposes of processing, and storage of harvested foods. Additional eligible expenditures in this category include tools, parts and labour costs of certified repair persons.
5. Shelter and Outdoor Clothing: Purchase, repair and maintenance of tents, construction of cabins, cold temperature bedding, portable cooking equipment, outdoor clothing and footwear, and other equipment supporting lengthy harvesting excursions are eligible.
6. Safety and Rescue Equipment: The purchase of protective equipment required for the operation of and transport by boats and off-road vehicles (such as, certified floatation devices, certified helmets, among others), as well as the purchase of equipment required supporting safety of individuals engaged in harvesting activities in remote locations (such as GPS locators, satellite phones, among others).
7. Training, Certification and Education: The costs of providing formal in-community training and certifications required to support harvesting activities are eligible, including Firearm safety training and certification, hunter safety training, operator training and licensing for watercraft and off-road vehicles.
8. Maintenance of Harvesting Sites: Supplies and equipment required for the maintenance of harvesting sites including clearing and trail maintenance equipment and cabin repair.
9. Gardening and animal husbandry: Items required to establish small scale, family or clan-based gardens such as backyard gardens or greenhouses or small-scale animal husbandry. Formal and for profit-facilities and community gardens are supported under AAFC programming.

Category 7.3: Processing, Preparation and Distribution of Country Foods

1. Food preparation items/equipment: Items required to prepare and cook market, country or locally produced foods including kitchen equipment, small appliances, utensils, among others.
2. Food preservation: Equipment and supplies required for the preservation of foods, including canning, freezing, smoking, drying and other means of preservation are eligible.

Category 7.4: Infrastructure and Capacity

1. Equipment Storage: Funding for construction of hunting and harvesting equipment storage/repair such as snowmobile sheds, covers, among others.
2. Food Centres/Hubs: The purchase of items and equipment for establishing community food centres or locations. This includes yurts, hunting cabins, and renovation of existing structures to be used for food processing/preparation, storage, teaching, repair of equipment and distribution of food.
3. Community coordination: Salary funding for the creation of coordination positions within communities is eligible where all information including salary levels, and roles and responsibilities are clearly communicated to the community.

Category 7.6: Special Projects

1. Innovation in Harvesting: On occasion, recipients may identify activities, or equipment needs which have impacts uses or benefits which accrue to both traditional harvesting and beyond to a broader community benefit. Where such projects or equipment requirements are identified and represent compensatory/salary requirements or capital costs above $100,000, special authority may be requested from, and granted by Nutrition North Canada for costs associated with assembling regional proposals, financial reporting, health organizations, Aboriginal Financing Institutions
2. Research and Innovation: By written agreement of the NNC organization, eligible recipient organizations may support research projects or innovative approaches related to increasing the knowledge of country foods and harvesting traditions within their catchment area, solely or in partnership with other organizations eligible for Harvesters Support Grant funding. These initiatives may include wildlife management and stewardship, food security research and assessment or other topics directly related to traditional harvesting. A maximum of 10% of total regional allocation may be dedicated to these projects to a limit of one such project every 5 years.
3. Administration/Compensation: This program recognizes the time and resources required to distribute funding and work actively with communities to deliver programming. Funding allocation of grant funding to recipient can be dedicated towards salary expenses to support existing, or onboarding new staff members support communities where the communities being served are made aware of this allocation and it is approved by the Board of Directors of the recipient organization and the use of funds is transparently communicated to the communities.