About the program

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is providing funding to support Indigenous nations, governments and non-profit organizations in:

  • digitizing existing documentary heritage related to Indigenous languages and cultures
  • building the skills, knowledge and resources needed to digitize and preserve documentary heritage related to Indigenous languages and cultures

On this page

What is documentary heritage related to Indigenous languages and cultures?

Documentary heritage refers to the many ways of physically recording information — written documents, sound recordings, videos, and photographs. Documentary heritage related to Indigenous languages and cultures will include a wide range of records of importance to Indigenous communities.

For example:

  • written accounts of traditional practices
  • photographs of community events
  • video recordings on out-of-date carriers, like VHS tapes
  • oral histories recorded on audio cassette or tapes

The item can be in any language if the community decides the content is culturally significant.

Value of the funding

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) will award eligible projects as follows:

Small projects will get:

  • up to $24,999
  • up to 12 months to complete the project

Large projects will get:

  • $25,000 to $100,000
  • up to 12 months to complete the project

Review committee

An Indigenous review committee will assess applications and make recommendations for funding. This committee is external to LAC. It's made up of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation individuals who participate from their professional and personal perspectives as Indigenous people from across Canada.

Project criteria

The review committee will base funding recommendations on:

  • project feasibility and approach
  • urgency of the work due to the condition of the collection
  • benefits of the project for:
    • the applicant organization
    • partner organizations
    • communities
    • researchers
    • Canadians

The terms and conditions set out in the Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Agreement apply to all committee members. Any member in real or potential conflict of interest with regard to the review process must disclose the conflict. When a conflict is declared the individual will be excused during the review of the application in question. For questions about applications or the review process, email: ecoutezentendrenosvoix-listenhearourvoices@bac-lac.gc.ca.

Application approval decisions

If we approve your application for funding, we'll let you know by email. We'll provide information about the next steps in the process at that time.

If we decline your application, we'll let you know by email with reasons why we couldn't support it.

Other possible sources of funding