NATIONAL INDIAN BROTHERHOOD TRUST FUND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FAQs

NATIONAL INDIAN BROTHERHOOD TRUST FUND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – FAQs December 2015 The National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund (NIB Trust Fund) is ...
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NATIONAL INDIAN BROTHERHOOD TRUST FUND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – FAQs December 2015 The National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund (NIB Trust Fund) is accepting applications for education programs aimed at healing and reconciliation. The funds have been made available from a surplus of the compensation allocated or former students of Indian residential schools, consistent with the terms of the 2007 Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. The funds are no longer tied to previous compensation packages, including Common Experience Payments, Independent Assessment Payments and Personal Education Credits. The funds will be held in Trust for beneficiaries to access by application. The deadline for the first round of applications is January 15, 2016.

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Who are the eligible beneficiaries of funds currently in the NIB Trust? The funds will be accessible by all First Nation and Métis individuals, governments and organizations with preference given to applicants who are former students of Indian residential schools. Eligible applicants include: a) Individuals who received a Common Experience Payments under the IRSSA; b) First Nation and/or Métis individuals; c) First Nation and/or Métis governments and/or communities listed as a “qualified donee” with the Canada Revenue Agency; or, d) First Nation and/or Métis non-profit organizations or societies listed as a “qualified donee” with the Canada Revenue Agency. This includes other organizations that provide educational programs to First Nation and/or Métis individuals.

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Who (or what) is a qualified donee? By federal law, charitable foundations in Canada are only permitted to make grants to qualified donees. A qualified donee could be a registered charity, but it can also be other organizations. One type of organization that is included in the list is a “municipality”; another is a “public body performing a function of government”. First Nation and many Aboriginal organizations can meet the requirements to be considered a “public body performing a function of government”. Historically there was no need to apply for this special status but the rules have recently changed. If a First Nation or Aboriginal organization wants qualified donee status, it must make an application to the government and have its name added to a list. With qualified done status, an organization can receive grants from other charities in Canada to support programming. Qualified donees can also issue official donation receipts for gifts they receive from individuals or corporations.

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Where did the money come from? The funds currently available in Trust have been transferred as outlined in the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement which states that any surplus of compensation funds be transferred to the NIB Trust Fund for education programs aimed at healing and reconciliation. This is not a formal compensation package for former students of Indian residential schools. The Common Experience Payment, Independent Assessment Payment and Personal Education Credits are complete. These funds are now available to all First Nation and Métis individuals, governments and organizations. Preference will be given to former students.

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What constitutes education programs? For the purposes of the NIB Trust Fund, educational programs can be provided by education institutions, cultural centres, organizations, communities and individuals/groups, whether short or long-term, informal or formal, or certified or noncertified. Educational Programs would include, but are not limited to, those that: a) Strengthen education and employment training; b) Promote First Nations and the Métis languages and cultures; or, c) Foster community and personal development, including access to counselling and other programs to heal communities from harms caused by the Indian Residential Schools.

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What can applicants use the money for? NIB Trust funds are to be used for education programs aimed at healing and reconciliation. This includes educational expenses, traditional education and research. o

Expenses: Applicants may use the funds for a variety of educational expenses as set out in section 8 of the Terms and Conditions. Expenses can include: tuition and associated fees, transportation, accommodations, meals, other living expenses, books, computer equipment, program supplies, and other expenses incidental to the participation in Educational Programs.

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Traditional Educational Programs: Applicants may use the funds to cover expenses such as Elder fees, guide fees, equipment, supplies, travel fuel and other similar incidental costs.

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Research: Research activities must be in keeping with the charitable objects of the NIB Trust Fund, primarily the advancement of education. They must have educational value and must be conducted in such a manner that they might reasonably lead to the discovery or improvement of knowledge, or to the development of innovative educational programming. Research activities must be conducted for primarily public benefit using principles of free, prior and informed consent, and results must be made available to the public. Research must be consistent with the relevant First Nation and/or Métis research protocols.

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What are the criteria for applications? Trustees will establish clear and objective guidelines of assessment of prospective applicants whether they are individuals, charitable organizations, or First Nation and Métis communities to ensure that fair and reasonable access is granted. Assessment of all scholarships, awards and bursaries will comply with the following principles: o All applications will be treated equally in assessment; o Assessment of an application will be on its merit as determined by the objective criteria established by the Trustees for the particular bursary, award or scholarship; and, o Distribution of funds must comply with the proportions as set out under section 4.1 of the Terms and Conditions, which dictates 97.3% of dispersed monies go toward First Nations while 2.7% go toward Métis. When the capital and interest of the Métis portion is fully paid out, the NIB Trust Fund’s obligations to the Métis shall terminate. The Trustees are resolved to ensure that all research funded or conducted conforms to the following: o Focuses on improving knowledge of First Nations and Métis language, culture, and history; o Contributes to the advancement of education by contributing to curriculum development or public education; o Aims to benefit First Nation and Métis communities and is reasonably unbiased; o Bases itself on a sound methodology and has attainable goals; o Carried out by individuals with the skills or experience necessary to carry out the research goals set out in their applications; and, o Produces results which are disseminated to the public and made available to anyone who may want to access it.

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What is the maximum amount of money I can apply for through the NIB Trust Fund? The maximum for individual applicants is $20,000. The maximum for group/organization/institution applicants is $200,000.

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How much is the NIB Trust Fund allowed to approve and distribute annually? In this fiscal year (ending March 2016), the NIB Trust Fund can approve to a total of up to $5 million.

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Are there any restrictions to how the funds are used? The funds shall not be used to reduce, replace or duplicate existing support available through federal, provincial, territorial or local governments, but may be used to augment and complement this funding. The following limitations apply to any application: a) Applications can be fixed for one year term or multi-year to a maximum of five years; b) Qualified donees must be recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency; c) Qualified donees must be resident in Canada; d) Applicants and/or qualified donees can submit up to two applications per year; e) Successful applicants will be limited to two funded projects within a ten year period;

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An individual can apply for funding up to a maximum amount of $20,000 per year; and g) A qualified donee can apply for funding up to a maximum of $200,000 per year. Q: A:

What won’t or can’t be funded? The NIB Trust Fund cannot disburse or distribute funding for the following:  Supplementation or compensation of an individual’s Common Experience Payment or Personal Credits amount;  Compensation for victims of abuse;  Legal action;  Activities outside the NIB Trust Funds objects;  Payments for past student loans or debts; or,  Programs for unqualified applicants.

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How will funds be administered and how does money flow? Separate applications will be issued for individuals and groups/organizations/institutions. Group applications are available now and individual applications will be available Spring 2016. For individual applications, funds will be dispersed through scholarships, grants bursaries, sponsorships and awards and can be sued for a variety of educational expenses such as: o Elder fees, guide fees, equipment, supplies, travel, fuel and other similar incidental costs); o Tuition and associated fees o Transportation o Accommodation o Meals o Other living expenses incidental to the participation of educational programs For group/institution applications, funds will be dispersed through grants, sponsorships and awards and can be used for a variety of educational expenses such as: o Elder fees, guide fees, equipment, supplies, travel, fuel and other similar incidental costs o Tuition and associated fees o Court Materials and Supplies o Clothing specific to the training requirements (uniforms, steel toed boots, raingear) o Transportation o Accommodations o Meals o Daycare o Other living expenses incidental to the participation in educational programs

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How will the funds be administered and who is on the selection committee? There is an administration plan consistent with the Settlement Agreement that has been approved by the courts. The NIB Trustees will review, evaluate and make final decisions

on applications. Distribution of funds by the NIB Trust will comply with all applicable laws regarding trusts, charities and tax.

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What does the application process look like? Group/institution applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EST January 15, 2016. There will be additional calls for applications – this is the first of many. Applications can be received by fax, email or regular mail. Upon receipt of applications the NIB Trust Fund will ensure all appropriate documentation is included. Should the NIB Trust Fund require further information, a request will be made to the applicant. Once an application is deemed to be complete it will be forwarded to the Selection Committee for assessment and scoring. The Selection Committee shall make recommendations to the Trustees on whether or not applications should be accepted or declined. After a reasonable period of time, the applicant will be informed of the committee’s decision.

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What are the application deadlines? Group/institution applications are due January 15, 2016. Individual applications will be available Spring 2016. All applications received after the deadline will be notified and will be offered an opportunity to resubmit for the next funding cycle. Applications will be accepted by mail, fax or email on or before the end of the business day (5 pm EST).

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I did not receive my personal education credit. Can I get it now through the NIB Trust? No. Personal credit payments are complete and the courts have barred any new applications. Former students can, however, apply for support for education programs under the new terms of reference and as directed by the courts and the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.

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For more information please contact the National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund directly Toll Free: 1-888-268-0520 Fax: 613-686-6757 Email: [email protected] www.nibtrust.ca