Definitions of Black and Indigenous Groups, Organizations and Collaboratives

The Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) welcomes and prioritizes projects that are created by and for Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) and Black communities. Here's what we mean when we talk about Black and Indigenous grassroots groups, organizations and collaboratives.

What is a grassroots group?

YOF defines it as a group of people with the same shared identities and lived experiences as the community they plan to support. The group members are rooted in community and have deep connections to the issues, context and opportunities of that community.

Grassroots work is also community rooted, both in design and delivery. To be grassroots, the needs, issues and solutions identified by group need to come from the communities that are most impacted by the work.

To be considered a Black-led grassroots group, please ensure your group meets the following criteria:

Who are your core group members?

The majority (more than 50%) of your group's core team are Black.
Black core group members initiated the project, and are central to the project’s vision, design, delivery, and decision-making.

How anchored in Black culture and community is your work?

Your group emerged organically or by design from the efforts of Black community members impacted by and dedicated to improving access and opportunities for Black peoples.
Your group is committed to engaging, listening, and learning from Black community members on an ongoing basis.
Your initiative is designed explicitly by and for Black youth or Black parents, guardian and caregivers.

How committed are you to equity and anti-oppression?

Through your work, your group addresses, or aims to address, the impacts of anti-Black racism at systemic, ideological and/or individual levels.
Your group recognizes the diversity of experiences, and the ways oppressions intersect, resulting in specific experiences of marginalization.
Your group and project create opportunities and spaces for Black people to grow, thrive, and be active, empowered members of their communities.

To be considered an Indigenous-led grassroots group, please ensure your group meets the following criteria:

Who are your core group members?

The majority (more than 50%) of your group’s core team are Indigenous, identifying as First Nation, Métis, or Inuit.
Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) core group members initiated the project, and are central to the project’s vision, design, delivery, and decision-making.

How anchored in Indigenous culture and community is your work?

Your group emerged organically or by design from the efforts of Indigenous community members impacted by and dedicated to improving access and opportunities for Indigenous peoples.
Your group is committed to engaging, listening, and learning from Indigenous community members on an ongoing basis.
Your initiative is designed explicitly by and for Indigenous youth or parents, guardian and/or caregivers.

How committed are you to equity and anti-oppression?

Through your work, your group addresses, or aims to address, the impacts of colonization and anti-Indigenous racism at systemic, ideological and/or individual levels.
Your group recognizes the diversity of experiences, both in the urban and rural context, and the ways oppressions intersect resulting in specific experiences of marginalization.
Your group and project create opportunities and spaces for Indigenous peoples to grow, thrive, and be active, empowered members of their communities.

What is a Black organization?

The Black community is at the centre of the mission, vision and values of the organization.
A majority (more than 50%) of the governance structure is held by Black people.
Black staff are included at the executive, senior and all staff levels.

To be considered a Black collaborative, please ensure your collaborative and project meet the following criteria:

Who leads and is part of your collaborative?

A collaborative should be two or more organizations.
A Black collaborative is led by a Black organization or the majority of collaborative members (more than 50%) are Black organizations and these Black organizations have a significant and clear role in the vision, design, delivery, and decision-making of your strategic project.

In all cases, a Black collaborative must include Black youth who are central to the project’s vision, design, delivery, and decision-making.

How anchored in Black culture and community is the collaborative’s work?

Your strategic project is designed explicitly for Black youth. It recognizes the diversity of the Black communities it serves.
Your collaborative emerged explicitly to change or rebuild oppressive systems impacting Black youth.
Your collaborative is committed to elevating Black cultures, histories, and healing through its work.
Collaborative partners/members are recognized as leaders in Black communities.
Your collaborative is committed to engaging, listening, and learning from Black leadership, grassroots groups and community members.

How committed is the collaborative to equity and anti-oppression?

Your collaborative aims to address the impacts of anti-Black racism and commits to challenge and change the status quo through systems change.
Addressing systemic oppression of Black youth is central to the vision and strategies of your collaborative's work.
Your collaborative aims to increase access to and build power in Black communities.

What is an Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) organization?

Indigenous identity is at the centre of the organization's programming.
A majority of the governance structure is held by Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous staff are included at the executive, senior and all staff levels.

To be considered an Indigenous collaborative, please ensure your collaborative and project meet the following criteria:

Who leads and is part of your collaborative?

An Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, or Inuit) collaborative is one that is led by an Indigenous organization, including Band Council or the majority of collaborative members are Indigenous organizations and these Indigenous organizations have a significant and clear role in the vision, design, delivery, and decision-making of your strategic project.
In all cases an Indigenous collaborative must include Indigenous youth who are central to the project’s vision, design, delivery, and decision-making.

How anchored in Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) culture and community is your work?

Your strategic project is designed explicitly for Indigenous youth. It recognizes the diversity of the Indigenous communities it serves.
Your collaborative emerged explicitly to change or rebuild oppressive systems impacting Indigenous youth.
Your collaborative is rooted in Indigenous history and values, and is reflective of Indigenous cultures, traditions, world views and ways of knowing.
Collaborative members/individuals are recognized as leaders in Indigenous communities.
Your collaborative is committed to engaging, listening, and learning from Indigenous leadership, grassroots groups and community members.

How committed is the collaborative to equity and anti-oppression?

Your collaborative aims to address the impacts of colonization and anti-Indigenous racism and commits to challenge and change the status quo through systems change.
Addressing systemic oppression of Indigenous youth is central to the vision and strategies of your collaborative’s work.
Your collaborative aims to increase access to, and build power in Indigenous communities.