Education
Supporting Indigenous-led solutions: Community Board grants empower local leadership across Canada
Sep 10, 2025
Across Canada, the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation alongside our Community Boards are making transformative investments in Indigenous students’ education and cultural development. From the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic provinces, these grants are bolstering innovative programs that honor Indigenous heritage while preparing young people for future success. Through trauma-informed early childhood care, culturally relevant language development resources and cutting-edge augmented reality experiences, these initiatives demonstrate how technology and tradition can work together to build stronger, more connected Indigenous communities.
The following stories showcase how local Community Boards are addressing the unique needs of Indigenous children and youth at every stage of their journey.
Building strong foundations: Early childhood care in Greater Victoria
Hulitan Family & Community Services
The Hulitan Early Childhood Years Centre in Greater Victoria is making waves with its trauma-informed Journeys of the Heart program, backed by an extraordinary $50,000 grant from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation through the Vancouver Island Community Board. This initiative is designed to nurture Indigenous cultural identity in young children while preparing them for a smooth transition into the public school system.
The grant will support 73 childcare spaces, including 48 for infants, toddlers and early years children, and 25 for elementary-aged children in before-and after-school care. By providing these spaces at low, to no cost, Hulitan ensures that Indigenous children receive the care and education they need in an environment that reflects their heritage and culture.
Hulitan's approach is transformational, integrating Indigenous cultural elements into daily learning and activities. This enables children to see themselves reflected in their educational materials and surroundings, fostering a strong sense of identity and self-worth from an early age. The long-lasting impact of this program is profound, as it sets Indigenous children up for greater success in school and in life.
Empowering Mi'kmaw children through language and culture
The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq
A groundbreaking initiative is set to make a significant impact on Mi'kmaw communities, focusing on the linguistic and cultural development of their youngest members. This project, supported by the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation through the Atlantic Canada Community Board, will provide 100 children, aged 3 to 5, with specially designed resource kits to address speech and language developmental delays.
The innovative kits, tailored for eight Mi'kmaw communities, include a treasure trove of culturally relevant materials. Indigenous children's books, engaging puppets and various print resources will serve as powerful tools to enhance the children's connection to their heritage.
By combining educational support with cultural immersion, this project aims to nurture both language skills and cultural identity. The carefully curated resources will not only aid in overcoming developmental challenges but also strengthen the children's understanding and appreciation of Mi'kmaw language and traditions.
This initiative represents a crucial step in preserving Indigenous culture and ensuring that the next generation of Mi'kmaw children have a strong foundation in their linguistic and cultural roots
Buffalo futurism: Where technology meets tradition
Common Weal Community Arts
Common Weal Community Arts received a grant from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, through the TELUS Manitoba and Saskatchewan Community Board, to revolutionize Indigenous education in Regina. The funding will deliver the Buffalo Futurism Educational toolkit and app to 1,000 students aged 6-18 and their teachers.
The innovative project features an augmented reality learning experience created by local Indigenous digital artists Taylor McArthur, Kistin Ballantyne and acâhkos calf child-dubois in collaboration with Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway and Rene Dufour-Contreras in Māmowimīwēyitamōwin Park along with non-Indigenous artist Evie Johnny Ruddy. The music for the immersive experience was created by Jason Chamekese.
Students explore themes including Indigenous storytelling, digital media art, social justice and the cultural significance of Buffalo through immersive technology. The Buffalo Futurism app transports users to an Indigenous futuristic park where tatanga (Buffalo) have returned to roam freely. As participants walk among digital tipis, baby Buffalo spirits, and crocus flowers, they learn about the real history behind the "disappearing" Buffalo and discover the Buffalo Treaty's efforts to restore the spiritual relationship between Buffalo and humans.
The toolkit guides teachers through discussions about colonization and Buffalo's mental, physical and spiritual significance. Buffalo Futurism envisions a harmonious future where tatanga guide us forward.
As Saskatchewan's only professional arts organization focused on socially-engaged practice, Common Weal continues pioneering the integration of technology with cultural education, making Indigenous histories more accessible and engaging for young learners.
These programs that we’re proudly supporting through Community Board grants represent a glimpse of the transformative work we’re doing in support of Indigenous reconciliation and connectivity across Canada. We look forward to continuing partnering with local communities to help address the unique needs of Indigenous children and youth through innovative, culturally grounded approaches to education and cultural development.
