Grants for Montreal youth

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Applications are now being accepted for a new $5,000 grant being awarded to help fund cultural projects created by First Nations youth in Montreal.

The grant is a joint initiative by Land InSights-organizers of Montreal's annual First Peoples' Festival-and the Mayor's Foundation for Youth.

Land InSights was founded in 1990, and works to promote Aboriginal culture and increase understanding between First Nations and other cultures.

The Mayor's Foundation for Youth was created in 1994 by then Montreal Mayor Pierre Bourque. When he was elected, Bourque relinquished his salary to form the foundation, which helps young, low income Montrealers start their own businesses, or take on cultural projects. The foundation, with the help of a long list of partners and donors, does this both by providing grants, and by offering technical and professional services and advice to grant recipients.

The first grant will be awarded in June during the First Peoples Festival.

According to Benoit Loyer, a member of the Land InSights team, the criteria for the grant has been set to reflect the mandate of the organization.

"Because we're in the cultural area with Land InSights, and our festival, we wanted to stimulate that sector a little bit more, the cultural sector," he said.

"The criteria is to develop a project in cultural or artistic means. It can be a photographic exposition for instance. It can be a Web site company. It can be anything related to the cultural environment."

The project can be a new initiative, or a portion of an ongoing activity.

In addition to receiving the $5,000, the grant recipient will also receive support and advice regarding their project.

Applicants must be Aboriginal, a Canadian citizen between the ages of 18 and 35, and must have lived on Montreal Island for at least six months. To qualify, applicants must also have a personal income at or below the low-income level.

Applicants must submit a brief description of their project, as well as proof of age and residency, along with a recommendation from their First Nations council or Inuit community, or from an Aboriginal organization. Applicants who meet all the eligibility requirements will then be required to submit a more detailed project proposal for the consideration of the jury. Assistance in preparing the project proposals will be available from Land InSights or the Mayor's Foundation for Youth for all eligible applicants.

The deadline for submitting applications is March 15. Project proposals from eligible applicants will then have to be submitted by April 15.

For more information about the grant, visit the Land InSights Web site at www.nativelynx.qc.ca, or call 514-278-4040.