The collaboration aligns with the Foundation's dedication to 'truth and reconciliation'
The Law Foundation of Ontario has announced a new partnership with the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund (IPRF) to respond to urgent community needs while fostering long-term resilience among Indigenous populations.
Established in 2020, the IPRF is an Indigenous-led initiative. According to the Foundation, the new collaboration aligns with the Foundation's dedication to truth and reconciliation, a commitment firmly embedded in its strategic plan for 2024-2029, titled "Growing Possibilities." It also enhances the Foundation's ongoing efforts to improve access to justice for Indigenous communities and those in northern Ontario.
Lisa Cirillo, CEO of the Law Foundation of Ontario, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. "We’re looking forward to working and learning with the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund," she stated. "This partnership will give us the opportunity to grow our understanding of Indigenous peoples’ legal needs and to increase our connections with Indigenous organizations in the north and far north."
The partnership, spearheaded by the IPRF, aims to initiate a comprehensive, multiyear community engagement and funding project specifically designed for Indigenous-led communities in northern Ontario. The initial phase will involve community engagement sessions to identify and understand these communities' access to justice priorities. Insights gathered from these sessions will inform the IPRF's development and distribution of a funding bundle supported by the Foundation's initial pledge of $1 million.
Bruce W. J. Miller, Interim Team Lead at the IPRF, said, "We’re glad to be walking on this journey with The Law Foundation of Ontario.”
Highlighting the IPRF’s work principles, Miller emphasized the importance of meeting communities' needs with respect and understanding, ensuring that philanthropic efforts incorporate Indigenous cultural worldviews.
According to the Foundation, the partnership is set to deepen the ties between the Foundation, the IPRF, and Indigenous communities. It will focus on mobilizing Indigenous philanthropic “Knowledge Holders,” Indigenous-led organizations, and community members to co-create partnerships that bolster access to justice for Indigenous communities in northern Ontario.
As part of this collaborative effort, Indigenous individuals living in northern Ontario are invited to participate in a brief community survey, contributing their voices to this pivotal initiative.
