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Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF)

The Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) provides multi-year (4 year) non-repayable funding contributions to First Nations to support their capacity to engage with the Province of B.C. on the implementation of the Declaration Act Action Plan and alignment of Provincial laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples both of which must be done in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples in B.C.

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Overview

On November 26, 2019, the Province of B.C. unanimously passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (the “Declaration Act”). An outcome of the Declaration Act was the development of the Declaration Act Action Plan 2022-2027 which outlines significant actions the Province will undertake over five years to achieve the objectives of the UN Declaration. The Declaration Act also requires the Province to take all measures necessary to ensure the provincial laws are consistent with the UN Declaration. This work must be done in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples in B.C.

To reduce barriers for First Nations to fully participate in implementing the UN Declaration, the Province has dedicated $200M in funding to establish the Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF). The Province of B.C. has partnered with the New Relationship Trust (the “NRT”) to administer the Fund.

The primary purpose of the DAEF is to support the implementation of the Declaration Act Action Plan and commitments to align provincial legislation with the UN Declaration. Funding can also be used by First Nations to engage on a government-to-government basis with the Province on other strategic, policy, and legislative initiatives.

Fund Objectives

The objectives of the DAEF are to:

  • Provide quick and easy access to four-year funding that focuses on reducing typical application and reporting barriers.
  • Provide impactful funding amounts that empower First Nations to more fully participate in government-to-government engagement and consultation with the Province of B.C. without having to subsidize the costs from their own government programs or own source revenues.
  • Support and enhance sustainable capacity development within First Nation communities to provide knowledge, advice, and guidance that assists the Province of B.C. in amending or developing laws to align with the UN Declaration.
  • Support and inform activities to implement the Declaration Act.

Who Can Apply

  • B.C. First Nations under the Indian Act
  • B.C. Modern Treaty Nations
  • Self-Governing Nations

Criteria & Eligible Funding Activities

  • One application per Nation
  • Program funding can only be used to cover costs that are directly related to the work, engagement and consultation with the Province of B.C. in the implementation of the Declaration Act Action Plan, alignment of Provincial laws with the UN Declaration, and to support other strategic, policy, and legislative engagements that evolve from enhanced government to government work and relations with the Province of B.C.
  • Consistent with the above criteria, the Eligible costs include:
    • Staffing costs
    • Professional fees – legal and technical support
    • Capacity training – skills development, workshops, courses etc
    • Community engagement 
    • Travel costs (transportation, accommodation, and meals)
    • Other reasonable administrative costs and incremental costs associated with eligible activities
  • Ineligible Costs Include:
    • Capital Costs, including acquisition of buildings, lands, vehicles, and other major capital
    • Permitting activities
    • Direct negotiation supports

Funding Cap & Disbursements

  • The total funding cap over 4 years per Nation is $1,040,000.
  • Advance Payment of $260,000 will be disbursed soon after the submission and acceptance of a fully completed application. 
  • Future Payments: Year 2 to 4 will be disbursed annually in equal amounts of $260,000 based on the funding milestones as outlined in a funding letter to be executed between NRT and the First Nation.

Intake Frequency

The Declaration Act Engagement Fund will accept new applications until all eligible BC First Nation communities have accessed the fund. Applicants will only have to apply once to the program.

How to Apply

  • Application Form: First Nations can access funding by completing and submitting the Application Form below. 
  • Letter of Authorization: The only documentation required to be submitted along with the application form is a basic “Letter of Authorization” that affirms the First Nations Leadership, or an authorized signatory* of the Nation acknowledges and approves the funding request to the Declaration Act Engagement Fund.
    • *NRT understands that different Nations have different governance and leadership models, and that authorized signatories may include, but are not limited to Elected Chief, President, Chair of Council, CAO, CEO, BCR, etc.
  • Sample Letter: Please download the sample Letter of Authorization and on Nation letterhead, have it approved by Council, or an authorized signatory and follow instructions in the application to attach it before you press the submit button. Not following the instructions may delay approval of the application.

DAEF Resources

Application Form

Declaration Act Engagement Fund

Registered Mailing Address of First Nation/Band(Required)
Accepted file types: docx, pdf, Max. file size: 3 MB.
As described with the sample provided in the “How to Apply” section above

Contact Us

The New Relationship Trust encourages applicants to reach out if you have questions, require assistance, or wish to discuss aspects of the application or the Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF).

Please contact us at: daef@nrtf.ca