Indigenous initiatives that received our support
We provide financial support for some 20 projects involving Indigenous communities. Depending on the project’s nature and scope, the assistance can vary from $1,000 to sums in the tens of thousands. Take inspiration from these initiatives that received our support in 2022.
Miaja
Organized by the cultural organization Minwashin, Miaja (meaning “now is the time” or “let’s do this”) is a large gathering celebrating Anicinabe arts, language and culture in all forms.
Innu Nikamu festival
Organized by the Innu community of Uashat mak Mani-utenam, Innu Nikamu (in French only) (which means “they sing in Innu”) is an Indigenous festival featuring First Nations artists, musicians and performers from Québec and Canada, along with special guests from other countries.
Tapiskwan Sipi cultural transmission project
This annual canoe expedition on the Tapiskwan Sipi (Saint-Maurice) brings together youth from different Atikamekw communities to learn about Atikamekw culture, values, history, knowledge and life skills. Particular focus is on the transmission of traditional knowledge and the history of Nitaskinan, the Atikamekw ancestral territory.
Projects involving all First Nations and the Inuit
Wapikoni mobile
Since 2004, Wapikoni mobile (in French only) has brought audiovisual and music production workshops to Indigenous communities in Québec, Canada and other countries. Created to counter high rates of suicide, drop-out and addiction among Indigenous youth, Wapikoni fosters academic perseverance and self-confidence.
Salon du livre des Premières Nations (First Nations book fair)
Kwahiatonhk!, a non-profit organization based in the Huron-Wendat community of Wendake, celebrates the richness and diversity of Indigenous literature with the First Nations Book Fair (in French only), which provides a privileged encounter with First Nations authors and their stories.
Québec Indigenous Science Fair
The Québec Indigenous Science Fair aims to promote science and engineering among First Nations and Inuit youth from grades 5 through 11.
Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship
Under a forward-looking initiative launched in 2022, Hydro-Québec is lending its support to the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC), whose projects include helping Indigenous women entrepreneurs start and develop their own business. The Indigenous Women Entrepreneuship project was born of a consultation process involving current and aspiring Indigenous women entrepreneurs and First Nations and Inuit community leaders.