杏吧原创

By Sadia Zaman of

As an original signatory to The Philanthropic Community鈥檚 , Inspirit Foundation鈥檚 work to foster reconciliation and implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action is grounded in principles of reciprocity and equity. We understand that reconciliation is an ongoing process that requires listening, learning and adapting our practices to address legacies and systems of colonization.

As part of our work to foster reconciliation, Inspirit is focused on narrative sovereignty, sharing power, and self-determination through our investments.

Narrative Sovereignty

To achieve of a pluralist Canada, we believe in the importance of storytelling. Narratives have the ability to foster understanding, elicit empathy and catalyze change.

In the context of reconciliation and our work, this means amplifying Indigenous voices and stories, and supporting Indigenous leadership by funding initiatives within the media and art sectors. In particular, Inspirit鈥檚 work is informed by TRC鈥檚 Call to Actions #84 to #86, calls around media and reconciliation.

The ultimate goal is to foster narrative sovereignty. We hope to increase the production, exposure, and amplification of Indigenous narratives, as well as to develop skills and resources within Indigenous communities to tell their own stories.

We fund Indigenous projects that aim to shift system structures, practices, policies or processes to foster equity and remove barriers built by colonialism. This includes the development of onscreen for Indigenous productions and arts and media-based around land dispossession.

Inspirit grantees also involve content creators who are changing national conversations. From a to preserve the histories of residential school survivors, to a of Indigenous curators, to Canada鈥檚 first university delivered in Indigenous languages, our funding initiatives support Indigenous communities to tell their own stories.

Power and Control

Resources, and who controls them, signify power. Trust-based philanthropy asks us to give up some of that power. Inspirit remains the first and only foundation in Canada to provide a to the (IPRF), the first Indigenous-led grantmaking foundation in Canada. IPRF is an Indigenous-led and governed effort to respond to urgent community needs, with a vision for community adaptability and resilience. On the anniversary of the Fund鈥檚 creation, Inspirit invested $1.9 million, including $1 million for a capital transfer and an annual $300,000 grant per year for three years. The grants are unrestricted.

This focus on unrestricted granting is also about shifting power. Removing restrictions allows grantees to use funding in ways that is best for them and the people they serve. Whether it is for capacity development, or new programming, or strengthening governance, unrestricted funding means trusting Indigenous grantees to understand their communities鈥� needs and, subsequently, provide the appropriate support. We also ask grantees what payment schedules and structures work for them.

At Inspirit, we also track how much of our funding goes to Indigenous-led projects. Our goal for the end of 2021 is for a minimum of 75% of projects that foster reconciliation to be led by Indigenous peoples or organizations. As of October, we are well beyond our target, at 85%.

Self-Determination Through Investments

In addition to grants, we leverage our investment capital for social good. For many organizations, impact investing is a financial tool with social considerations. For Inspirit, our commitment to a is crucial for systemic change.

Several investments in our directly impact Indigenous communities; for example, an invests in Indigenous social enterprises and a supports the cultural well-being and health of up to 200 expectant Indigenous mothers and their children. Also, by increasing the capacity of Indigenous trusts to steward their financial resources and investments and by engaging Canadian institutional investors about contributing to positive economic outcomes for Indigenous peoples, our support of the is having an impact on the financial system.

Walking Beside and With Indigenous Communities

All of our work around reconciliation has happened because of relationships that were developed and deepened over the course of the Foundation鈥檚 short history.聽 As we enter into new relationships, Inspirit continues to learn what a meaningful relationship looks like.

Sadia Zaman brings a wealth of arts, media and not-for-profit leadership experience to her role as CEO of Inspirit Foundation. She’s received dozens of awards for her journalism and has been honoured for her leadership. She sits on many advisory committees and several boards and is often ask to speak on issues related to media, equity and leadership. Connect with her and through , , and . Photos above are courtesy of .

Monday, November 22, 2021 in For homepage, Indigenous series
Share: ,