The City of Toronto is handing grants up to $20,000 to support local Indigenous communities to start projects and initiatives that will address the climate emergency and protect the environment.
The grants are in support of the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy which sets a target to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions in Toronto to net zero by 2040. The strategy also aims to build partnerships with Indigenous communities in Toronto and advance Truth and Reconciliation.
Deputy mayor Jennifer McKelvie, chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, said:
“With these grants, we’re ensuring that Indigenous residents have access to funding to develop projects that reflect their needs and values.
“At the City, we’re committed to Indigenous climate action and learning from Indigenous residents how to develop better relationships with the land and waters where Toronto stands.”
The grants will support projects and initiatives that reflect the needs and interests of Indigenous communities, including those that:
- Increase opportunities for hands-on learning, especially in getting back to the land, promoting green initiatives and supporting grassroots collectives with Indigenous job creation
- Develop Indigenous place-making projects that promote food security, the growing of traditional medicines and/or ecological biodiversity
- Advance social equity, including gender equity and 2SLGBTQ+ initiatives
- Support the health of Lake Ontario/the Great Lakes or riverine systems and encourage swimmable, drinkable and fishable freshwater systems for future generations.
An Indigenous-led committee is being formed to lead the application review process.
