The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund

ᐅᔾᑭ :ᐊᐳᐧᐃᒼ

Overview

Applications for Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund are now open. Oshki Wupoowane launched on September 30, with an initial $1 million investment from Hudson’s Bay Foundation and a commitment to direct 100% of net proceeds from the sale of all HBC Point Blankets to The Blanket Fund moving forward. Since then, The Blanket Fund has grown to more than $1.5 million, which will be disbursed to successful applicants over multiple years.

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 Ojibwe “Oshki Wupoowane”, “a new blanket” in English, was chosen as the name of The Blanket Fund in collaboration with Chanie Wenjack’s family. The Wenjack sisters guided us on the naming, with Chanie’s sister Evelyn coaching us through proper pronunciation and syllabics.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need any support submitting your application, please contact us at fund@downiewenjack.ca or 1-844-944-4545 ext. 41.

Reconciliation Action Grants

$1,500-$15,000

Applications received by March 15, 2023 will be eligible for the first round of funding.

The Reconciliation Action grant stream will support reconciliation activities, events, and initiatives in communities 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.

Apply Now

Capacity Building Grants

Up to $175,000/year (multi-year grants are available).

Expressions of Interest received by April 15, 2023 will be reviewed for funding in summer 2023.

The Capacity Building grant stream will support grassroots Indigenous charities, programs, communities, and initiatives with the potential for significant impact. This grant stream commits to multi-year relationships which increase the capacity, networks, programs, and profile of the partners selected.

Apply Now
Stories from the Community Letter from the Board of Directors FAQ Sign Up

Stories from the Community

The HBC Point Blanket has been called many things throughout its history: an essential trade item, an enduring emblem of Canada, a carrier of disease, and a symbol of colonialism.

Like many other material items from the fur trade era, blankets carry multiple meanings that overlap, and at times conflict, with one another. The stories we tell about blankets are often shared, entangled, and contested. The connection that many have to HBC Point Blankets is both deeply personal and political. For some, they elicit fond childhood memories or are embedded in family histories, while for others, they are hurtful reminders of the enduring impact of colonialism and systemic racism.

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Watch the full length video
Watch the full length video
Watch the full length video
Watch the full length video
Watch the full length video

Message from DWF’s Board of Directors

“Our partnership with Hudson’s Bay Foundation in the creation of Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund is a meaningful action that ultimately increases awareness and understanding of the true history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and is an important ReconciliACTION. This Fund will support Indigenous-led initiatives and will create opportunities throughout Canada for Indigenous people, communities and organizations to build capacity, tell their own stories, and elevate the strength of their communities. This work helps to acknowledge and share more about the defining role HBC played in colonization and is a meaningful step forward on the path toward truth and reconciliation.”

– Sarah Midanik, CEO & President, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Read the Full Letter From DWF’s Board of Directors

From the Board of Directors and the Wenjack Family

The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund was founded to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada. We work to build a path toward reconciliation by providing everyone, including companies and organizations, with opportunities to take reconciliACTION (meaningful actions that move reconciliation forward). In partnership with the Hudson’s Bay Company and Hudson’s Bay Foundation, we are proud to announce the launch of Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund. The Blanket Fund will support local grassroots organizations with capacity-building grants throughout First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities.

There is no denying the role that Hudson’s Bay Company played in the colonization of Canada. Its 350-year history includes countless examples of how it directly contributed to the systems of oppression and assimilation meant to eradicate Indigenous people, communities, cultures, and traditions.

This partnership provides the opportunity to acknowledge the longstanding history and harm caused by Canada’s most iconic company, while also creating a path forward by directing significant financial support to Indigenous people, organizations, and initiatives through Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund.

The Point Blankets are symbolic for many. They too have a complex history in Canada – an essential trade item, an enduring emblem of Canada, a carrier of diseases, and a symbol of colonialism. By creating Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund, where 100 per cent of net proceeds from the sale of the Point Blankets will go to Indigenous Peoples, Hudson’s Bay Company is demonstrating its strong commitment to moving reconciliation forward in Canada.

Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund will provide opportunities for artistic, educational, and cultural activities. Through Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund, Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous-led organizations and initiatives will have the opportunity to access meaningful capacity-building support to realize creative and community initiatives.

Gord challenged all of us to “Do Something” to move reconciliation forward and build a better Canada. Hudson’s Bay Company is answering Gord’s call and honouring Chanie by working collaboratively with Indigenous people, organizations, communities, and initiatives.

This partnership does not erase the past but shows us that we all have a role to play in reconciliation in Canada. The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund’s Board of Directors, as well as the Wenjack family, is hopeful that this partnership provides other companies in Canada with an example of meaningful contribution toward Indigenous people, organizations, and initiatives, and what can be achieved when Indigenous people inform every step of process.

We look forward to what will be achieved through this partnership and the positive impact that can result from meaningful investment in Indigenous-led artistic, educational, and cultural initiatives. More information will be released in the coming months on the granting and application process. We encourage you to visit www.downiewenjack.ca/The-Blanket-Fund to learn more and sign up to get the latest information.

Miigwetch,

Bob Watts

Chair, Mohawk and Ojibway, Six Nations

On behalf of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Board of Directors and the Wenjack Family:

Harriet Visitor
Wenjack Family Member, Anishinaabekwe

Mike Downie
Downie Family Member, Ally

Sarah Midanik
President & CEO of DWF, Métis Nation of Alberta

Killulark Arngna’naaq
Treasurer, Inuit, Qamani’tuaq

Stuart Coxe
Secretary, Ally

Dr. Alika Lafontaine
Anishinaabe, Cree, Métis and Pacific Islander, Treaty 4 Territory

Buffy Sainte-Marie
Cree, Piapot First Nation

Hillary Thatcher
Métis

Kory Wilson
We Wai Kai Nation

Brad Baker 
Squamish Nation

Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT OSHKI WUPOOWANE | THE BLANKET FUND

Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund provides support for Indigenous cultural, artistic and educational activities. Offered through two different grant streams, The Blanket Fund can be accessed by both grassroots Indigenous communities and organizations, and by Indigenous individuals undertaking related initiatives. For organization grants, the focus will be on capacity building, and funding to support individual initiatives will ensure continued local impacts in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities throughout the country.

The Ojibwe “Oshki Wupoowane”, “a new blanket” in English, was chosen as the name of The Blanket Fund in collaboration with Chanie Wenjack’s family. The Wenjack sisters guided us on the naming, with Chanie’s sister Evelyn coaching us through proper pronunciation and syllabics.

This partnership enables Hudson’s Bay Foundation to direct proceeds from the sales of HBC Point Blankets to DWF, who administers the funding.

WHY THE GORD DOWNIE & CHANIE WENJACK FUND (DWF)?

DWF is an Indigenous-led charity with national reach, programming, and impact, and has the organizational infrastructure to distribute funding to Indigenous organizations and communities throughout Canada. As a registered charity since 2018, DWF has programs that operate in all provinces and territories.

DWF’s established network of educators, Artist Ambassadors, corporate partners, and community leaders positions the organization uniquely to deliver grants to grassroots Indigenous initiatives and organizations throughout Canada.

HBC was working with an Indigenous consulting firm to establish their Indigenous Advisory Circle and lead community consultations to engage Indigenous peoples and communities across Canada. They held events in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Calgary as well as many meetings, phone calls, surveys and conversations. DWF was identified by HBC as an Indigenous-led organization with charitable status, national reach, and the capacity to manage that could partner with HBC on The Blanket Fund.

WAS THERE CONSULTATION WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES?

DWF has engaged with Indigenous organizations, leaders and community members throughout Canada to ensure DWF is being respectful and appropriate in discussing the role of the blankets, to solicit feedback on the design of an appropriate selection process and governance system for The Blanket Fund, as well as to ensure the funds raised and distributed through this initiative will have an impact at the community level. Those consulted included First Nations, Inuit, and Métis representatives.

This consultation will continue as we move forward with The Blanket Fund, ensuring we adapt to meet the needs of Indigenous people, organizations, and communities. This expertise, insight, and knowledge have been and will continue to be, foundational in guiding this partnership, as we work to develop granting details to ensure each step of the process is informed by Indigenous ways of knowing and doing.

HOW CAN I APPLY?

Applications open February 23, 2023.

Applications can be submitted online.

Arrangements can also be made to submit your application by phone, video, fax, mail (handwritten or printed) or in a different format.  

If you have any questions or need any support submitting your application, please contact us at fund@downiewenjack.ca or 1-844-944-4545 ext. 41. 

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HBC POINT BLANKET?

With a colonial history that dates back more than 350 years, HBC has a responsibility to acknowledge and confront its past. The HBC Point Blanket has been called many things throughout its history: an essential trade item, an enduring emblem of Canada, a carrier of disease, and a symbol of colonialism. Fact and fiction are woven into our understanding of the blanket’s history. This space begins to unpack and acknowledge the many layers of symbolism the blanket embodies in history, art, pop culture, and commerce.

Like many other material items from the fur trade era, blankets are multivocal, carrying multiple meanings that overlap, and at times conflict, with one another. The stories we tell about blankets are often shared, entangled, and contested. The connections many have to HBC Point Blankets are both deeply personal and political. For some, they elicit fond childhood memories or are embedded in family histories, while for others, they are hurtful reminders of the enduring impact of colonialism and systemic racism.

Learn more about the HBC Point Blanket here.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HUDSON’S BAY FOUNDATION CHARTER FOR CHANGE?

More than 350 years since its Royal Charter was granted, Hudson’s Bay Company is working to reconcile its past, and committing to a more equitable future for all. Hudson’s Bay Foundation Charter for Change focuses funding in three areas, critical to individuals and communities flourishing: education, employment and empowerment to fostering personal, professional & cultural empowerment in diverse communities.

Learn more about Hudson’s Bay Foundation Charter for Change here.

Sign Up to Get the Latest Information

We will be continuing to consult Indigenous community members from throughout Canada, as well as releasing more information in the months to come. Please sign up to get the latest updates and information! 

If you have any specific questions or comments, please contact: fund@downiewenjack.ca.

Make a Donation to Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund | ᐅᔾᑭ :ᐊᐳᐧᐃᒼ

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The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Registered Charity Number: 784055915RR0001

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About DWF

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.

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Phone:  1-844-944-4545

E-mail: staff@downiewenjack.ca

Address:
PO BOX 749
OHSWEKEN, ON
N0A1M0

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