Spring is just around the corner, and that means big things are underway at DWF! Applications for Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund are now open and from now until the end of the month you can join our Legacy Schools program and enter for a chance to win amazing prizes from Indigenous owned businesses. We are also excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Youth Ambassador program for 2023. As well, in celebration of Women’s History Month, we are thrilled to host a DWF LIVE with Artist Ambassador, Candace Linklater. Plus, if you’re in Toronto at the end of the month, join us for Ziigwan, an Indigenous music and arts festival happening at Yonge-Dundas Square! Check out all the details on this and more below!
Applications for Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund are now open. Through two grant streams, The Blanket Fund will provide support for Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities. Indigenous people, as well as Indigenous-led initiatives and organizations in Canada, are eligible.
The Capacity Building grant stream (up to $175,000/year) will support grassroots Indigenous charities, programs, communities, and initiatives (artists and makers) with the potential for significant impact. Multi-year grants available.
The Reconciliation Action grant stream (ranging from $1,500-$15,000) will support community-level reconciliation activities, events, and initiatives that contribute to cultural revitalization; elevate Indigenous culture, languages, and traditions; increase understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples; or other grassroots initiatives that move reconciliation forward.
| LEARN MORE AND APPLY TODAY |
Join us March 24 to 26, 2023 at Ziigwan, a free Indigenous music and arts festival!
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund and Downtown Yonge Business Improve Area (DYBIA), in collaboration with ELMNT FM Radio, Red Music Rising, and Music Tourism, invite you to Ziigwan, an Indigenous music and arts festival, March 24-26 at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto.
BLACKIE & THE RODEO KINGS ⧫ DJ SHUB ⧫ NORTHERN CREE
JULIAN TAYLOR ⧫ BOOGEY THE BEAT ⧫ TIA WOOD
LOGAN STAATS ⧫ STATUS/NON-STATUS ⧫ SHAWNEE KISH
BULLHORN SINGERS W/ SPECIAL GUEST
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Nearly 7,000 educators and club leaders throughout Canada are empowering their students to take reconciliACTION through the Legacy Schools program. We are excited to expand this free national program to every educator or leader at every school and club! Refer an educator or club leader today and you could both win amazing prizes from these Indigenous businesses including some of our Artist Ambassadors.
| ENTER TO WIN |
To enter, share the link below with your colleagues not yet in the program. They will be prompted to enter your email so you will both be entered to win!
https://downiewenjack.ca/our-work/legacy-schools-programs/referral/
Youth Ambassador Alumni, Belle (in her beautiful DWF ribbon skirt) and Zach, joined us for National Indigenous Peoples Day with the Wenjack family including Pearl Achneepineskum, Harriet & Kyra Visitor, Daisy Munroe, and DWF staff members.
The Youth Ambassador Program, in partnership with RBC Future Launch, offers 100 youth, age 16 to 25, the opportunity to gain practical work experience, network, strengthen 21st-century skills, and gain leadership experience from a variety of Indigenous workshops and speakers. The 4-week program will engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth online, in part-time work, and will receive an honorarium at the end of the program.
Know a young person looking for an exciting summer work opportunity? Share the Youth Ambassador Program with them today! If you have any questions about the program or application process please contact LegacySchools@downiewenjack.ca.
| APPLY TODAY |
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DWF LIVE International Women’s Day: Candace LinklaterArtist Ambassador, Candace Linklater, will join us for an exciting DWF Live on March 8, 2023 in honour of International Women’s Day! Candace Linklater is an Ililliew Cree from Moose Cree First Nation on Treaty 9 territory. She pushes the envelope when discussing issues caused by patriarchy, white supremacy, capitalism, colonization, and racism, emphasizing that such discussions are necessary to achieve meaningful justice, reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenous resurgence. March 8 at 1 pm ET
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Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada.
Phone: 1-844-944-4545
E-mail: staff@downiewenjack.ca
Address:
PO BOX 749
OHSWEKEN, ON
N0A1M0
Legacy Schools: Big Things are in Bloom this Spring at DWF! 
