In September, we continue to examine the Programs and Services our foundation supports by writing about grants awarded from the Indigenous & Non-Indigenous Relations Endowment Fund.

This Indigenous & Non-Indigenous Relations Endowment Fund was created in response to the Call to Action from the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Report by donations from Fr. Anthony Dizy & Fr. Gary Kuntz. The Endowment was formed to support projects and programs designed to facilitate communication, understanding, and reconciliation between the Indigenous & Non-Indigenous communities.

Last year, the Charitable Foundation was pleased to support the Circle Project Assn Inc. in Regina. The Circle Project is a community project that has been serving the Indigenous Community for over 30 years and is focused on helping people help themselves through programs and services. Indigenous culture and teachings are the foundation of their programs and services, which are designed to help each person overcome challenges, become healthier, regain pride, build self-esteem, and grow spiritually.

If you visit their website (https://www.circleproject.ca/cp2015/), you will see that they have a wide range of programs and services, including Building Community Competency and Outreach, Family Violence programs and the Cultural Connections for Kids program. In this last program, Cultural Connections, the children gain the self-confidence to be able to take what they learn and show it to the public. One of the children shared her knowledge by singing O’ Canada in Cree in her community of Carry the Kettle First Nation. She was also asked to say the Cree prayer. It is moments like these that show how the Circle Project programs help children learn about Indigenous culture, traditions, and identity while building confidence and community.

The Sask K of C Charitable Foundation creates, administers and advocates for programs and services that help families in need. We’re pleased to know that our Endowment Strategy is providing help and creating hope. Our donors have created endowment funds that generate earnings to fund grants supporting education, charitable outreach, parish life, and community programs across Saskatchewan. Through grants funded in large part by the Indigenous & Non-Indigenous Relations Endowment Fund, established by Fr. Anthony Dizy and Fr. Gary Kuntz, we support community services that focus on helping people help themselves and build positive, constructive relations between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples.