Aboriginal Projects (Projets ponctuels autochtones)

Introduction and Objectives

In general, this program seeks to enable the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones (SAA) to support the carrying out of specific initiatives focused on Québec’s Aboriginal milieu, in complementarity with measures offered by other Government of Québec departments and bodies. The program targets the following specific objectives:

• Help to establish and further develop harmonious relations and partnerships between Aboriginals and the Government of Québec, as well as between Aboriginals and the public, particularly by providing information and raising awareness;
• Support the carrying out of one-time initiatives, projects, and events that are significant in scope and that foster the social, community, or cultural development of Québec’s Aboriginal milieu.

Eligibility

Funding applications may be submitted primarily by the following applicants:

• Aboriginal communities (band councils, tribal councils, northern villages);
• Non-profit Aboriginal organizations (Aboriginal NPOs);
• Non-profit organizations;¹
• Groupings of Aboriginal NPOs, nations, or communities;

Nature of eligible projects

Funding allocated by the SAA under this program must enable the carrying out of specifically defined actions over a fixed period, mostly taking place during the fiscal year concerned. No project funded can be automatically renewed; it must be the subject of a new funding application in a subsequent fiscal year.

In the current context, only projects deemed essential will be considered.

Evaluation criteria for projects submitted:

• Relevance and quality of the project;
• Likely and significant outcomes for Québec’s Aboriginal milieu;
• Number and quality of partnerships;
• Support from the Aboriginal milieu;
• Demonstration of financial need;
• Projected outcomes following anticipated public support;
• Eligibility for the Aboriginal Initiatives Fund III, as well as for the programs offered by other Government of Québec departments and bodies.²

Allocation of Funding

Funding allocated in the context of the program varies, according to the assessment of the project based on the established evaluation criteria. Normally, the financial support provided is less than $5000 per project or per initiative and must be complementary.

Eligible expenses include those directly related to carrying out the project, not covered by other means, and considered reasonable. Representation expenses, donations, sponsorships, support for the overall mission or the operations of organizations, as well as projects taking place outside of Québec are excluded from the program. The funding allocated normally takes the form of a non-refundable contribution (grant).

Visibility

Organizations receiving a grant through the financial assistance programs of the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones (SAA) agree to mention the assistance received from the Government of Québec or the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones in all public communications related to the project. To learn more, consult the page Visibility in the context of agreements.

Accountability

Any one-time project funded by this program must be properly accounted for. A simplified final report including a breakdown of the project’s actual costs and income must be submitted to the SAA; this applies to all projects receiving a contribution in the context of One-Time Aboriginal Projects.³

Forms

• Funding Application (Word, 2 pages)
• Simplified Accountability Report (Word, 2 pages)

Application Submissions

Applicants must submit their official funding applications, using the form, either electronically or by mail.

It is recommended that the application be submitted several months before launching the project. The SAA reserves the right to exclude any project started or completed before the submission of the funding request. For the 2020-2021 fiscal year, projects may be submitted between February 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.

E-mail Address

projetsponctuels-saa@mce.gouv.qc.ca

Mailing Address

Aboriginal Projects (Projets ponctuels autochtones)
Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones
905 Honoré-Mercier Avenue, 1^st Floor
Québec, QC  G1R 5M6

2. Projects that are eligible under other government programs may be refused. This program is intended as a complementary funding tool.

3. The SAA reserves the right to reduce its contribution after examining the project’s actual income and expenses; it also reserves the right to not allocate a new grant to promoters who did not respect their prior commitments under this program.