Fire Stewardship Grant Program

● Indigenous Nations (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, communities, councils,

tribal and regional organizations).

● Indigenous organization a community, registered not-for-profit organization, registered

charity, First Nation band, Métis or Inuit Council.

● Indigenous-led groups (51% or more Indigenous governance) guiding and advancing

Indigenous fire stewardship in collaboration with schools, local fire departments,

Complete the application form (downloadable Word/PDF).

Make sure to include:

● Applicant information

● Project Plan: Objectives and activities (who, what, when, where, how)

● Budget

● Permissions/land access (if applicable)

● Letters of support (from the Nation/Community, partner organizations).

Submit by email to info@thunderbirdcollective.ca

How to Apply

1. Click the link to open the Google Drive folder.

2. Download the overview, FAQ sheet, and forms.

3. Email the completed documents (like your budget, permits, or letters of permission for

land use) to info@thunderbirdcollective.ca

4. Double-check before you submit.

5. Once submitted, you can’t make changes. If you need to fix something, contact us before

the deadline.

Funding activities must take place between October 2025 and March 2026. Only costs during

this time will be eligible for reimbursement.

There will be future funding available from April 2026 to March 2027, and April 2027 to March

2028.

Projects must relate to Indigenous fire stewardship and fall under at least one of the four

pillars:

● Knowledge Sharing: Workshops, seasonal gatherings, storytelling, recording or archiving

traditional fire knowledge, or creating teaching resources.

● Land-based Learning: Cultural burns, youth or Elder camps, field training, demonstration

projects, seasonal monitoring.

● Advocacy: Policy development, community engagement campaigns, creating

educational materials, or presentations to decision-makers.

● Sovereignty: Developing fire stewardship protocols or laws, Nation-to-Nation knowledge

exchanges, governance strengthening, or asserting Indigenous fire practices on the land.

Your project plan should show that your project is ready to be implemented. Include:

● A clear description of the project or event

● Goals and expected outcomes

● Timeline of activities

● Roles and responsibilities

● Budget aligns with activities

● Any community or partner involvement

Eligible expenses may include:

● Wages or honoraria (e.g., crews, Elders, Knowledge Keepers).

● Training and certification.

● Safety equipment, tools, and supplies.

● Travel, food, and accommodations for project activities.

● Community engagement and knowledge-sharing events.

● Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

● Major capital purchases (e.g., vehicles, buildings).

● Activities unrelated to Indigenous fire stewardship.

● Expenses incurred before the funding is approved.

● Administration costs.

Funding amounts are not predetermined. The Steering Committee will assess applications

based on project scope, need, and available resources. Applicants are encouraged to request an

amount that reflects the true costs of their project, supported by a clear budget. Please

remember the total funding we have available this year is $700,000 for the entire grant

program.

Yes. Applicants must confirm:

● Where the project will take place.

● Who holds responsibility for that land (community, band, Crown, private).

● That permissions/permits (e.g., burning permits, landowner consent, cultural protocols)

are in place or in process.

Each Community may submit one application per pillar, with a maximum of two applications in

total. Funding priority will be given to support one project per Nation/Community first.

We encourage you to describe:

● Objectives (who, what, when, where, how).

● Outcomes (the changes you expect for people, community, and land).

Try to use SMART objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Yes. Applications can be submitted:

● In writing (form or Word/PDF).

● Readiness with clear plan, realistic budget, achievable timelines and capacity.

● Relevance to Indigenous fire stewardship and the four pillars.

● Community leadership and involvement in advocacy and sovereignty.

● Demonstrate inclusion of Elders and Youth in implementation of the Project.

● Strong well-defined need that aligns with community priorities.

● Potential impacts and outcomes for community (ies).

● Detailed project plan and budget that aligns with the proposed activities.

Applications are evaluated based on key criteria to ensure fairness and alignment with program

goals. Each application is considered on factors such as community need, expected impact and

benefits, alignment with one of the program’s four pillars, and the proposed budget.

Proposal Indicators:

- The proposed activities clearly advance one or more of the four pillars.

- The proposed activities are deeply rooted in community knowledge, values and

participation. It is shaped by the voices and lived experiences of community members.

- The proposed activities have a clear, realistic plan achievable within the timeframe and a

reasonable budget.

- The proposed activities strengthen community capacity or share knowledge.

Each application is scored 1–5 in each KPI and pillar (max = 45 points).

Readiness and Assessment Criteria                                             Points Total

• Collaboration----------------------------------------------- 5 Points
• Knowledge Products Created -------------------------- 5 Points
• Indigenous-led Activities --------------------------------5 Points
• Knowledge Exchange ------------------------------------ 5 Points
• Need --------------------------------------------------------- 5 Points
• Impact / Benefits ----------------------------------------- 5 Points
• Project Plan: Objectives and Activities -------------- 5 Points
• One of Four Pillars (knowledge sharing, land-based learning, 

advocacy, and sovereignty)----------------------------------------- 5 Points

• Budget ------------------------------------------------------- 5 Points

Maximum total 45 Points

● A short final report based on our template (written, video, or audio), including

details on activities completed, outcomes achieved, and how funds were spent.

● Sharing of learnings with the broader Indigenous fire stewardship community, where

appropriate.

The grant application will be launched on October 14, 2025. Applications will be accepted until

November 21, 2025 (23:59 PST) to submit by email to info@thunderbirdcollective.ca. Late or

incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

You will be notified after the review process is complete. We anticipate decisions will be shared

by the week of December 8th 2025 and we will provide updates if the timelines change.

Please direct all questions to info@thunderbirdcollective.ca.