Four First Nations communities awarded funding to support poverty reduction

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Four First Nations communities in Northeast B.C. have received funding to help reduce poverty.

Doig River First Nations, Prophet River First Nations, Saulteau First Nations, and West Moberly First Nations have been granted funding through the First Nations Well Being Fund.

Over $2 million in grants have been provided to 62 First Nations communities across the province to support the creation of well-being and poverty-reduction plans and projects.

“All orders of government are finding ways of reducing poverty,” said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

“I’m excited that through this funding, First Nations communities are able to develop projects that will improve individual well-being and benefit communities.”

The First Nations Well Being Fund is carried out by the First Nations Public Service Secretariat, in partnership with the First Nations Leadership Council. It supports First Nations and Tribal Councils in their efforts to promote well-being, improve quality of life for community members both on and off the reserve, and reduce poverty at the community or Nation level.

Doig River First Nations have been granted $32,125 to support mental health wellness by delivering a series of trauma workshops within the community, including language revitalization.

Prophet River First Nations was granted $25,000 to explore and define community wellness measures by hosting various workshops and delivering a drafted community wellness plan.

Saulteau First Nations was awarded $35,000 to strengthen local food security, building a community cooler and meat-cutting shack, and instruct youth in traditional food preparation methods.

West Moberly First Nations was awarded $35,000 to improve food security by delivering a series of community canning workshops over two years.

“As we continue the work to build and maintain strong relationships based on recognition and implementation of the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples, it’s good to know that many of the plans and projects being funded through the First Nations Well Being Fund are designed to preserve and respect Indigenous cultures and promote community well-being,” said Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

The First Nations Well Being Fund has two funding streams, community projects and planning.

For community projects, the stream provides up to $35,000 for a single First Nation, $70,000 for two, and $105,000 for regional applications for three or more partnering First Nations.

For the planning stream, $25,000 is provided for one First Nation, $50,000 for two or $80,000 for a regional application involving three or more First Nations.

Doig River, Saulteau, and West Moberly First Nations communities were part of the community projects stream, while Prophet River First Nation was part of the planning stream.

CLICK HERE