Indigenous cultural partnership Program

Government guidelines regarding Indigenous peoples

The First Nations and Inuit are the original inhabitants of the territory and thus occupy a unique place in the history of Québec, both culturally and politically. The 15 principles, adopted on February 9, 1983, by the Conseil des ministres, form the foundation of government action regarding Indigenous peoples. The first principle states that Québec recognizes that the Indigenous peoples of Québec are distinct nations with rights to their culture, language, customs, and traditions, as well as the right to guide the development of their own identity.

The First Nations and Inuit have their own systems for transmitting knowledge, which often rely on oral traditions and intergenerational relationships. However, many social changes have resulted in a decrease in the frequency of these relationships, thereby threatening the vitality of Indigenous cultures. Québec government efforts aim to support Indigenous peoples—both in urban settings and within communities—who wish to strengthen or complement their cultural transmission systems with formal or informal education programs.

Members of the First Nations and Inuit face their own cultural challenges and issues. In order to address the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission established by the Government of Canada, it is important to revitalize the relationship between the Québec government and Indigenous peoples based on constructive exchanges, mutual respect, and a willingness to collaborate. Culture provides a privileged space for such encounters.

In accordance with government guidelines regarding relations with the First Nations and Inuit, the ministère de la Culture et des Communications (Ministry) must act as a model by promoting dialogue prior to projects and initiatives that concern them. The goal is to foster reconciliation and better adapt to the specific realities of each Indigenous community and nation in order to contribute to the prosperity of these unique and diverse cultures.

This is how the Indigenous cultural partnership program fits within Québec’s cultural policy, “Partout, la culture,” especially in regard to its commitments to Indigenous communities. The first of these commitments states that:

Indigenous communities must also have the opportunity to play a greater role in the management, promotion, and transmission of their cultural heritage, including traditional knowledge. By respecting this process that promotes the autonomy of Indigenous nations in cultural matters, the government will provide equitable support to each of them. It is committed to expanding the scope of partnership agreements with Indigenous nations, as well as the involvement of Indigenous leaders and organizations in the knowledge, protection, promotion, and management of their cultural heritage (Québec’s cultural policy, “Partout, la culture”, p. 14).

The vitality of Indigenous languages, which are an integral part of the cultures of the First Nations and Inuit, is also of great importance to Québec, especially within the context of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032. Coordinated action is recommended to effectively support, both locally and nationally, Indigenous communities and nations in their efforts to preserve, transmit, and promote their languages.

The program is also part of the 2022-2027 Government Action Plan for the Social and Cultural Wellness of the First Nations and Inuit. Various actions are included in this plan to ensure the social and cultural prosperity of Indigenous peoples, focusing on genuine cohesion in government action. Particular emphasis has been placed on Indigenous cultures and languages, as well as on reconciliation, which constitutes one of the six priority areas. The Ministry plays a crucial role in implementing actions in this area.

A tool suited to different realities

Under the founding law of the ministère de la Culture et des Communications (MCC), the Ministry is authorized to “conclude development agreements with municipalities, regional bodies or groups in matters of culture or communications” (Act respecting the ministère de la Culture et des Communications, CQLR, chapter M-17.1, section 14, paragraph 3). The establishment of Indigenous cultural partnerships (ICPs) with Indigenous organizations and bodies has been an essential method of engagement for the Ministry for over 30 years. In contrast to municipal and regional cultural development agreements, with Indigenous cultural partnerships, the Ministry engages with distinct nations that possess their own culture, language, and heritage. The Ministry’s intention is to provide them with a versatile and structured tool that allows them to determine their own actions for their future.

By encompassing all cultural needs, the Indigenous cultural partnership program enables partners to avoid submitting multiple financial assistance applications annually, ensuring predictability in funding targeted actions. Project monitoring and accountability are also simplified. Thus, the program eases cultural project management by providing partners the opportunity to allocate their often-limited human resources to the development and implementation of projects rather than their administration. In a context where the Ministry supports partners who are often under-resourced and working in remote areas, it is essential to propose simple and tailored means that address their diverse realities and encompass all of their actions. In summary, Indigenous cultural partnerships help increase partner autonomy in terms of the preservation, transmission, and promotion of Indigenous cultures and languages, based on their priorities and aspirations. They also strengthen partner capacity by supporting the hiring of human resources dedicated exclusively to Indigenous culture or languages, as well as the development of their knowledge, skills, and collaborative ties.

Due to their realities, legal status, languages, and cultures, Indigenous communities find it challenging to enroll in the Ministry’s generic programs. They face difficulties in securing stable funding that would allow them to plan structural actions for the preservation, transmission, and promotion of their cultures and languages. Their needs also vary for projects that take place at the community, nation, or multi-nation level. To ensure effective government action in culture, the Ministry has developed expertise and methods that adapt to various realities.

Indigenous cultural organizations are key players in the Indigenous cultural ecosystem of Québec. They operate in urban areas to raise awareness among non-Indigenous populations about the realities and cultures of the First Nations and Inuit. These organizations also play a crucial role for Indigenous peoples living outside of reserves, for whom access to their culture is often complex or difficult. Finally, these organizations engage with communities through specific projects to provide Indigenous populations with cultural activities that complement the various initiatives implemented by the communities or nations.

What is an Indigenous cultural partnership?

The partnerships and projects implemented through the current program take into account the specific needs of members from the different Indigenous nations and communities in Québec, and they are based on a shared understanding of cultural and communication issues and challenges. They can be established at the initiative of the Ministry or arise from initiatives by partners that the Ministry agrees to join.

An Indigenous cultural partnership concluded between the Ministry and an eligible applicant is defined as a comprehensive agreement that includes a set of actions related to culture and communication. It allows for showcasing the potential of each Indigenous partner, supporting cultural vitality through the sharing of their knowledge and aligning their actions in culture and communication. To ensure sustainable funding, the Indigenous cultural partnership can be established for a duration of 1 to 3 years.

The Indigenous cultural partnership is a tool tailored to the realities and needs that Indigenous communities and nations are able to identify themselves. It serves as a lever for the preservation, transmission, and promotion of Indigenous cultures and languages, to which partners from various backgrounds are invited to contribute.

Priority beneficiaries are members of the various Indigenous nations and communities in Québec, with a focus on developing and strengthening the cultural vitality of their nations and communities.

The objectives of this program fall into two categories. Firstly, the establishment of an Indigenous cultural partnership primarily aims to:

• address the specific needs of members of the various Indigenous nations and communities in Québec regarding culture and communication;
• strengthen the territorial coherence of public actions in culture and communication;
• contribute to the efficient management of actions in culture and communication;
• enhance the autonomy of Indigenous nations and communities concerning the preservation, transmission, and promotion of their cultures and languages.

Secondly, throughout Québec, funding for actions benefiting the First Nations and Inuit aims to:

• promote access to their cultures and encourage participatory cultural life;
• contribute to the affirmation of cultural identities and to highlight the specific cultures and languages of each of the Indigenous nations;
• strengthen the capacity of Indigenous nations and communities to preserve, transmit, and promote their cultures and languages.

The Indigenous cultural partnership facilitates funding for actions that align with a cultural action plan specific to a nation, an Indigenous community, or an organization dedicated to Indigenous cultural development within the territory of Québec. It is based on jointly negotiated objectives, actions, and resource sharing. The principles of the partnership established between the Ministry and the Indigenous partner are as follows. Thus, the partnership:

• focuses on a shared understanding of the characteristics and dynamics as well as the issues and challenges faced by the nation, the Indigenous community, or the organization;
• encourages initiatives that are distinct from or complementary to other programs of the Ministry, agencies, and Crown corporations under the Minister of Culture and Communications;
• allows for the adaptation of practices from one territory to another, respecting the priorities of the nation or the Indigenous community.

Eligible clients

Eligible clients include:

• the 11 Indigenous nations of Québec recognized by the National Assembly and represented by:
  • designated Indigenous national bodies: an organization or political entity responsible for ensuring the preservation, transmission, or promotion of the culture or language of a single nation, as designated by its members;
  • Indigenous cultural organizations: an autonomous organization linked to several nations or operating in urban Indigenous contexts, whose activities contribute to the preservation, transmission, or promotion of Indigenous cultures or languages in the territory of Québec;
• the Indigenous communities that are part of the 11 Indigenous nations of Québec recognized by the National Assembly.

Ineligible clients include:

• individuals;
• non-Indigenous organizations;
• for-profit organizations
• non-Indigenous governmental organizations;
• applicants who find themselves in any of the following situations:
  • Registered with the Register of companies not eligible for public contracts (RENA), including any subcontractor registered with the Register;
  • Within the two years preceding the application for financial assistance, have failed to meet their obligations under a financial assistance program from the Ministry after being notified by the latter of their non-compliance with the terms for granting financial assistance and accountability (PDF 2.83 Mb);
  • Have failed to meet their obligations after having been duly served with formal notice regarding the granting of prior financial assistance by a Québec government ministry or agency;
  • Do not meet the high standards of integrity that the public has a right to expect from a beneficiary of financial assistance from public funds;
  • Have used the financial assistance to make a payment benefiting an entity described by any of the situations mentioned in the previous paragraphs.

Eligible actions

General conditions

Eligible action

In this text, an action or a project have the same definition.

An action is eligible if it:

• meets the objectives of this program;
• does not contradict any government policy or a measure approved by the Conseil du trésor or the government of Québec, nor cover an activity already funded by budgetary rules approved by the latter;
• complies with the applicable legal and regulatory framework;
• contributes to at least one of the intervention sectors of the Ministry and complies with the applicable guidelines for Indigenous cultural partnerships (Appendix I (PDF 214 Kb));
• is complementary in scope to the actions undertaken by the Ministry in its other financial assistance programs, or to one of the funding programs of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles, or the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, or to existing actions in the targeted territory;
• is time-limited and of a one-time nature, not recurring;
• is aimed at:
  • the Indigenous population as the ultimate beneficiary;
  • offering a free or low-cost cultural activity;
  • developing favourable conditions for holding cultural activities through temporary facilities, such as camps or shaputuans, or providing equipment related to activities in the territory, excluding infrastructure.

Ineligible actions

The following actions are ineligible:

• projects that focus on the regular operations of an organization (regular activities);
• recurring projects;
• projects aimed strictly at a performance;
• scholarships and awards;
• the implementation of international projects;
• the operation of events or festivals;
• fundraising activities, benefit activities for an organization, or event sponsorship;
• activities aimed at generating profits.

Specific conditions for hiring human resources

The actions and expenses outlined below are specific to the hiring of human resources dedicated exclusively to Indigenous culture or languages.

Eligible actions

• The hiring by the eligible applicant of professional or technical resources dedicated exclusively to Indigenous culture or languages and that meet the following condition:
  • permanent or occasional employment (weekly work of more than 21 hours per week).
• Ongoing training and development in Indigenous culture and language for:
  • professional and technical resources employed by the eligible applicant;
  • elected officials and members of the Indigenous community or nation involved in implementing an action.

Ineligible actions

The Ministry reserves the right to reject any action it deems irrelevant and that does not contribute to achieving the program’s objectives. When there is a risk that an action may be funded through another program within the ministerial or governmental portfolio, an internal notice or consultation with the other relevant ministries and agencies is requested.

An Indigenous cultural partnership can be established at any time during the fiscal year. First, the applicant completes an “initial application.” This phase allows them to inform the Ministry of:

• the desired duration of the agreement (1, 2, or 3 years);
• the list of proposed actions, their costs, the amounts allocated, and the target audience for each action;
• the total amount of financial assistance requested and the amount of contributions from the applicant and partners.

It should be noted that goods and services received as donations or non-financial contributions are not accounted for under this program.

A decision regarding the applicant’s eligibility for financial assistance, generated in the Ministry’s online service platform di@pason, will be communicated within a maximum of 10 business days following receipt of the initial application.

In a second phase, if the applicant is deemed eligible, the Ministry will proceed in reviewing the initial application based on the criteria outlined in section Selection criteria. The Ministry will prioritize applications as needed.

If the initial application is assessed positively, the Ministry will send the applicant a financial proposal and invite them to complete their application. At this stage, the applicant specifies their detailed action plan. They outline the objectives, actions, and financial resources that they and their partners intend to commit during the proposed period. The Ministry may assist the applicant in drafting their action plan.

The applicant commits to adhering to the program’s eligibility criteria and the stipulated conditions at all times throughout the duration of the financial assistance. These criteria are prerequisites, and compliance does not guarantee the disbursement of financial assistance, which also depends on compliance with the terms for granting financial assistance (section Terms for granting financial assistance) and accountability (section Monitoring and accountability).

The applicant also commits to adhering to the following compliance conditions:

• designating a human resource to ensure implementation of the partnership;
• implementing control measures to ensure sound management of the partnership and remain accountable at all times (section Monitoring and accountability);
• providing complete, accurate, and truthful information;
• updating their profile data in the Ministry’s online services platform or informing the Ministry if any changes occur;
• complying with the conditions outlined in the Terms for granting financial assistance (PDF 2.83 Mb) document, particularly the visibility requirements and those specified in the partnership agreement.

By submitting a financial assistance application, the applicant agrees that certain information included may be shared with another ministry or agency, including Crown corporations under the Ministry, to enable the latter to ensure compliance with specific administrative measures or to obtain necessary expertise during the application review process.

Requested documents

Applications for financial assistance are normally completed online via a form available on the di@pason online service platform. They are then automatically forwarded to the Ministry in charge of processing them. Upon request, applications may also be submitted via a paper form, which must be sent to the Ministry’s office in the applicant’s region.

The completed application must be accompanied by the following documents:

• the resolution regarding the application adopted by the competent authorities, specifying: the intention to establish a partnership, the duration of the partnership, the date the resolution was made, and, if necessary, the title of the representative;
• the Terms for granting financial assistance (PDF 2.83 Mb) document, duly signed;
• any relevant supporting documents that allow the application to be reviewed.

To be eligible for evaluation, the application must be complete, clear, and based on accurate data; otherwise, it is the applicant’s responsibility to correct any deficiencies within the timeframe provided by the Ministry.

Enhancements

During program reopening periods, beneficiaries may request an enhancement to an agreement that has already been announced and for which the maximum contribution has not yet been reached.

Applications for agreement enhancements will undergo the same negotiation process as new agreements submitted during the program reopening period and will be evaluated based on the scoring and prioritization criteria. Applicants without an ongoing Indigenous cultural partnership will be given priority.

Those seeking to request an enhancement to their agreement must update the required documents and submit them to the Ministry within the deadlines set by the program.

Selection criteria

Applications are reviewed by the Ministry. If necessary, the Ministry may solicit external expertise.

The Ministry reserves the right to limit the number of selected applications or to propose a reduced financial offer in order to remain within the budget and available funds.

To reach the largest number of Indigenous peoples through its Indigenous cultural partnerships, the Ministry prioritizes applications from Indigenous nations. However, communities not represented by a national body responsible for culture will also be prioritized. Finally, applications from Indigenous cultural organizations will be taken into account.

If a nation and an Indigenous community within that nation submit separate applications for financial assistance, both the community and the nation must do their utmost to ensure that the actions they undertake under this program are complementary to those carried out by their counterpart, in order to ensure a coherent Indigenous cultural partnership within the nation’s territory. The Ministry may assist the community and the nation in their collaborative efforts.

An application is assessed according to the criteria outlined below.

Table I

Financial assistance application selection criteria

Application scoring and prioritization 

Applications are scored according to the following scale. 

Table II 

Applications are prioritized based on the following criteria:

• 80% to 100%: priority 1;
• 60% to 79%: priority 2;
• 0% to 59%: not accepted.

Eligible expenses are those directly related to the implementation of an action plan for which financial assistance is granted and that are exclusively incurred for this purpose for the duration of this assistance.

Financial assistance calculation

The program’s financial assistance is awarded based on equity and takes into account the particularities and realities of each Indigenous nation and community. First, the available budget is distributed among the 11 nations. Next, in the event that a nation and a community within that nation submit an application for financial assistance separately, a calculation will be made to determine the maximum amount that can be allocated to the community.

Funds distribution among nations

The available budget distribution is carried out by nation based on the following criteria.

Table III Criteria for distributing financial assistance by nation

* The level of remoteness of the nation is assessed based on its proximity to an urban area, which affects access to cultural services supported by the Ministry (examples: cultural activities, museums, libraries).

The amount of the contribution granted by the Ministry to a nation cannot be less than $5,000 per agreement. The maximum amount of financial assistance per agreement for a nation is $400,000 per year. It can reach $1,500,000 per year for northern nations, whose territory is included in a government action plan for northern development, isolated nations, and highly isolated nations.

1. Northern nations whose territory is included in a government action plan for northern development include the Innus, the Cree, the Inuit, and the Naskapis.
2. Isolated nations are those that reside alone in a territory and have access to no cultural services other than those of the nation.
3. Highly isolated nations are characterized by the absence of land connections between the communities that make up the nation.

The distribution may differ based on specific budgets from other ministries or government agencies. If residual amounts for a nation remain, a new distribution by nation will be carried out according to the parameters previously outlined and based on the applications received.

Funds distribution among a community and its nation

In cases where a nation and an Indigenous community within that nation submit separate financial assistance applications, the financial support provided to the applicants varies according to the criteria listed below, up to the maximum possible amount for the nation.

Table IV

Criteria for distributing financial assistance among a community and its nation, if applicable

The amount of the contribution granted by the Ministry to a community cannot be less than $5,000 per agreement.

Ministry contribution

The financial contribution provided by the Ministry can reach up to 75% of the eligible expenses under the program.

Public or private partners (third-party partners) may participate in the implementation of actions or their financing. In this case, the amounts could be matched by the Ministry depending on financial availability. It should be noted that, in the case of an Indigenous cultural partnership, third-party partners are not signatories to the agreement.

Rule on the accumulation of public financial assistance

The cumulative amount of financial assistance, including direct or indirect financial assistance received from Québec and Canadian government departments, agencies and Crown corporations, as well as tax credits, and financing from municipal entities that are not direct beneficiaries of the program, must not exceed 100% of eligible expenses.

For the purposes of calculating the stacking rate for public financial assistance, the term “municipal entities” refers to the municipal bodies included in section 5 of the Act respecting Access to documents held by public bodies and the Protection of personal information (CQLR, c. A-2.1).

The assets referred to in subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 89 of the Act establishing the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Regional Government (CQLR, c. G-1.04) are not considered in this regulation’s stacking rules.

For the purposes of calculating the stacking rate, all forms of financial assistance granted by a public body must be calculated at 100% of their value, whether they must be repaid or not.

Also, when the stacking rate of government financial assistance is less than 100% of eligible expenses, a minimum contribution from the beneficiary is required to ensure that government aid does not finance the totality of the project’s eligible expenses.

In addition, financial assistance from the Business Development Bank of Canada, Farm Credit Canada, and La Financière agricole du Québec shall be considered private contributions if they offer no conferred benefit or are agreed to under market conditions.

Eligible expenses

The following expenses are eligible:

• salaries and benefits of professional and/or technical resources hired by the eligible applicant and working exclusively on the implementation of the eligible actions of the Indigenous cultural partnership, up to a maximum of $60,000 in gross annual salary per resource;
• training costs for resources hired under this program (technical, professional, college, or university training, participation in conferences, forums, congresses, or gatherings);
• the fees related to a contract for business or services;
• the costs associated with conducting studies or diagnostics (professional fees);
• the following expenses, aside from those related to the applicant’s regular operations:
  • training,
  • writing,
  • language revision,
  • translation,
  • research and graphic design,
  • printing,
  • promotion, advertising, marketing, and communication (Such as the design and printing of posters or brochures.),
  • editing, traditional or digital printing or publishing of a book or magazine;
• the cost of materials intended for clients and necessary for the implementation of the action plan;
• the proportional rental cost for the use of premises other than those of the applicant for carrying out the action;
• the purchase of non-integrated equipment, only when it is essential for the execution of a project under the agreement and cannot be rented, or when the purchase cost is lower than the rental cost. These expenses are limited to 50% of the project cost (except for a digital project);
• the purchase of tickets for performances as part of a project aimed at the Indigenous population, linked to a broader initiative and complementing existing government programs;
• the fees for artists for facilitation, cultural mediation, or training, as well as for creation or dissemination benefiting the Indigenous population (Indigenous cultural partnerships support projects benefiting the Indigenous population, while creation projects aimed at supporting the artistic process or artistic endeavor of the artist fall under the jurisdiction of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec);
• The non-refundable portion of the Québec sales tax (QST) and the goods and services tax or harmonized sales tax (GST/HST);
• travel and accommodation expenses in Québec that are directly related to the execution of the project and the mandate of the resources hired under this program, which do not fall within regular operations. These travel expenses must not exceed the rates in effect within public service (page in french only).

Ineligible expenses

The following expenses are ineligible:

• expenses incurred or committed to prior to the date of the announcement letter;
• current operating expenses or costs related to the regular activities of the applicant or an engaged organization;
• the operating deficit of an organization, the repayment of loans, or the replenishment of its working capital;
• expenses related to projects that have already been completed;
• expenses that have already been funded by the government of Québec for the same project;
• any expense that is not directly related to the project;
• the refundable portion of taxes;
• alcoholic beverages, tobacco and cannabis expenses, alcohol permits, and meeting permits;
• the purchase of gifts, including gift cards;
• legal fees;
• extended warranty fees, spare parts, maintenance, or use of equipment;
• the acquisition of land or properties and other fixed assets.

Financial assistance disbursement terms

Financial assistance cannot be used to make a payment benefiting an entity in the situation described in subsection Eligible clients .

Any financial commitment by the government of Québec is valid only if there is an available credit balance sufficient to charge the expenditure arising from this commitment, in accordance with section 21 of the Financial Administration Act (CQLR, chapter A-6.001).

The financial contribution from the Ministry to an Indigenous cultural partnership is made in cash. The Ministry disburses a percentage of the total financial assistance allocated according to the terms outlined in the payment schedule, which vary based on the duration of the agreement.

For a 3-year agreement, the Ministry pays:

For a 2-year agreement, the Ministry pays:

For a 1-year agreement, the Ministry pays:

Terms for granting financial assistance

The financial assistance agreement consists of the financial assistance application, the Terms for granting financial assistance (PDF 2.83 Mb) document, signed by the applicant, and the announcement letter signed by the minister. The terms for granting assistance come into effect on the date the announcement letter for the financial assistance is signed.

The Indigenous nation or community that enters into a cultural partnership with the Ministry must adhere to the following conditions throughout the duration of the financial assistance agreement:

• meet the eligibility criteria outlined in section Eligibility criteria and conditions;
• carry out the actions agreed upon with the Ministry as specified in the action plan;
• obtain prior approval from the Ministry for any changes to the aforementioned action plan;
• not have the planned actions executed by a third party without first obtaining written authorization from the Ministry. Third parties registered in the Register of companies not eligible for public contracts are ineligible.

Indigenous nations or communities that engage third parties (for example, a nonprofit organization, a cooperative, or another Indigenous entity) to carry out the planned actions must specify the following information in their authorization request:

• the name of the third party or parties carrying out the activities or project for which financial assistance is granted;
• the scope and nature of the activities or projects being subcontracted.

The Indigenous nation or community is responsible for the obligations and responsibilities of the agreement at all times, particularly regarding accountability. The Indigenous nation or community ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including those related to the awarding of contracts.

Accountability is framed within a results-based management approach. It must include financial reporting related to the execution of the actions and the status report of progress on those actions. This approach allows the Ministry to adequately monitor the allocation of its financial contribution across various intervention sectors.

Accountability reports are produced annually within three months following the end of each fiscal year and must include:

• a financial report related to the execution of the actions;
• a status report on the progress of the actions.

The Ministry reserves the right to request any additional information or documents, visit the locations where the actions outlined in the agreement are carried out, and verify the allocation of the granted subsidies, at any reasonable time.

Visibility requirements

In any public communication related to a subsidized action or intervention, the beneficiary must acknowledge the Ministry’s contribution in accordance with the government visibility rules.

Program accountability

A program evaluation will be conducted based on the indicators presented in Appendix III, no later than November 30, 2027.

Duration of the standard

This program comes into effect on the date of its approval by the Conseil du trésor and will expire on March 31, 2027.