Each week, we compile news on health, wellness, social services and First Nations, which is organized by category of our service offer. As a result, people in charge of the service offer can disseminate information specific to their field, or any other news relevant to First Nations.
Scholarships, awards and grants
Call for applications – UQAM Bachelor of Law – Fall 2026 intake
The UQAM Department of Legal Sciences is pleased to announce that, once again this year, four places in its Bachelor of Law program are reserved for Indigenous students aged 21 and over who have at least two years of professional experience, social or community involvement (paid or unpaid), with Indigenous councils, groups, or organizations. These four places are to be filled for the fall 2026 semester. The deadline for submitting an application is March 2, 2026.
Information: Department website. This information is also available on Facebook and LinkedIn. (French only)
Tahatikonhsontóntie’s Experienceships are now available! The mentor AND the mentee will each receive $7,500 and can apply for an additional $2,500 to cover extra costs, bringing the total amount to $10,000.
Want to learn more? Visit our website on the page dedicated to the Experienceship:
Information Session Registration
Email : bourses-scholarships@errsaqc-qcneihr.ca
2026 Recreational, Sports, and Outdoor Infrastructure Financial Assistance Program This program aims to fund recreational, sports, and outdoor infrastructure and can be used to renovate or build facilities such as arenas, indoor swimming pools, parks, gymnasiums, forest recreation centers, docks, etc. Applications will be accepted starting February 23, 2026.
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Children and family
Launch of the Concerted Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Bullying and Cyberbullying 2025–2030: Respect, a Value to Share The Concerted Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Bullying and Cyberbullying 2025-2030, entitled “Respect, a value to be shared,” was officially launched on October 28 by the Minister of Families, Ms. Kateri Champagne Jourdain. (French only)
NCCIH-Seasonal-Newsletter Closing-the-Circle | Winter-December-2025
Fourth call for proposals IELCC
Employment and Social Development Canada is pleased to inform you of the fourth call for proposals under the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) Quality Improvement Projects (QIP) funding, which aims to advance the vision and goals of the co-developed IELCC Framework through research and innovation.
How to apply
We invite Indigenous communities, governments and organizations that are interested in receiving federal funding through this call for proposals to consult the funding page.
Application period: January 14, 2026 to March 25, 2026, at 3:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
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Access to services
The 2025 Report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty The Council’s sixth annual report, We can do better: it is not a safety net if the holes are this big – the 2025 Report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty, has been tabled in Parliament and is now available online. A copy of the Executive Summary, which includes the report’s recommendations, is attached to this email for quick reference.
Newsletter News from the RCAAQ
Informative sheet Indigenous community justice initiatives, Justice Québec
Héritage vivant – When ancestral knowledge shapres today’s careers
Discover three short films produced in collaboration with the CQRHT, aimed at promoting jobs in tourism and highlighting inspiring career paths in the sector.
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Health and wellness
Joyce Five Years Later
Many thanks for your enthusiastic participation in our « Joyce Five Years Later » event held on September 27-28 in Trois-Rivières. Your contributions enriched the conversations on cultural safety and equity in health care.
We are pleased to let you know that all the videos are now available online! Dive back into the roundtables with Jennifer Petiquay-Dufresne, Karine Millaire, Samir Shaheen-Hussain and many others, as well as the closing workshop looking ahead to the next five years.
Access here : https://principedejoyce.com/fr/video-cinq-ans-apres-joyce
Future of Sport in Canada Commission – Update from the Commissioner A message from the Commissioner on the Final Report- January 27, 2026
Preschool and Primary Schools : Are you ready to take on the Tchin-Tchin Challenge?
Quebec’s largest water promotion challenge is back in schools. From March 23 to 27, 2026, students will toast with their water bottles at lunchtime and participate in simple, fun activities on healthy hydration. Additionally, all schools registered before March 2, 2026, will receive colorful, durable stickers as a participation prize, perfect for customizing each student’s water bottle!
To participate, it’s free: School Registration 2026
For more information: www.soifdesante.ca/ecole
High School: I’m Thirsty for Health initiative is making its way into Quebec’s high schools! While sugary drinks still play a big role in students’ daily habits, this initiative offers a simple, positive and motivating way to encourage water consumption. Between March 23 and 27, 2026, during Canada Water Week and World Water Day, high schools are invited to choose one day to host a flavored water tasting booth and raise awareness among students about the importance of healthy hydration.
Register now! Form (in French only)
For more information: https://soifdesante.ca/en/secondaire
Nominations are now open for Égale Action’s Gala Femmes d’Influence!
Nominations are now open for the Gala Femmes d’influence, which will celebrate Égale Action’s 25th anniversary and highlight the outstanding journeys of girls and women who are driving progress in sport.
Deadline: February 22, 2026
For any questions or additional information, feel free to contact us at gala@egaleaction.com.
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Income security and social inclusion
National campaign to promote careers in construction: Start playing for real
If you are a woman, a First Nations person or Inuit or a person representative of the diversity of Québec society, there are measures in the construction industry to make construction sites more inclusive
If you are a First Nations person or Inuit, you can view the employment assistance services available to you in your integration process. These services are offered in collaboration with Indigenous organizations in several regions of Québec.
For more information: https://www.quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/construction-trades
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Psychosocial Support
9-8-8 Workshops
The 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is organizing small group virtual workshops, with separate sessions for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis participants, who wish to learn from the experiences of callers and texters in order to strengthen and improve the 9-8-8 service. Compensation of $90 is offered for participation.
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Governance and community mobilization
UQAT Indigenous Lunche on Conferences for the Winter 2026 session
February 18, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., with simultaneous English/French interpretation Bill S-228, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, with Senator Yvonne Boyer, a member of the Métis Nation, with roots in the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Red River region.
March 26 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. – with simultaneous English/French interpretation
Review of Chapter 9 of the Tri-Council Policy Statement with Tierry M. Laforce, PhD, Senior Policy Analyst, Research Ethics, Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research
Please note that this conference will take place in person at the Multipurpose Room (SUM) on the Val-d’Or campus and online.
April 23, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. – conference in French
Indigenous citizen research: Pikogan’s Icinikate Aki Committee for toponymic research with Marie-Ève Drouin-Gagné, assistant professor, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and member of the INRS-UQAT joint research unit in Indigenous studies
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Research and Information resources
The Fonds de recherche du Québec
The Working Group on Indigenous Leadership in Research was launched in 2021 at the initiative of Chief Scientist Rémi Quirion, in collaboration with Ghislain Picard, Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, and Ian Lafrenière, Minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit. It brings together researchers, teachers, and representatives from Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, school boards, and academic institutions. This work led to the adoption by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) of a Declaration of Recognition of Indigenous Knowledge, marking a decisive step toward more inclusive research that is respectful and representative of community realities.
Save the date – 6th seminar on research ethics with Indigenous Peoples We are pleased to announce that the 6th Seminar on the Ethics of Research with Indigenous Peoples : Research Experiences, Initiatives and Governance will take place on March 25 and 26, 2026. The Seminar will be held in a hybrid format, at the UQAT First Peoples Pavilion in Val-d’Or and online (to be confirmed). Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English and French.
Research Freely consented maternity in Indigenous contexts in Quebec
This study aims to document Indigenous women’s specific needs and experiences related to the consented continuation of pregnancy, contraception and abortion (voluntary interruption of pregnancy).
We are looking for First Nations and Inuit women aged 18 years and over, and who meet one or several of the following criteria : 1) have been pregnant; 2) have previously used a contraceptive method; 3) have previously had an abortion.
Participants wanted: Plain language testing of Cultural Safety and Indigenous-Specific Racism indicators
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) Indigenous Health Branch is inviting all First Nations, Inuit and Métis to participate in plain language testing of the new Cultural Safety and Indigenous-Specific Racism indicators.
To participate, fill out the form here.