The Chiefs of Ontario Environment Sector have shared the following resources regarding the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program, which is now accepting applications for single-year or multi-year projects (up to three years) as part of the 2026/27 intake period.

For more information, visit: Indigenous Habitat Participation Program

The Indigenous Habitat Participation Program (IHPP) provides both grant and contribution funding for work related to capacity-building, engagement, and collaboration. Funding is provided in three areas:

  • Engagement funding to support Indigenous peoples in providing input to the implementation of the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the amended Fisheries Act. This includes engagement on:
    • developing new policies
    • making regulations
  • Funding for collaborative activities to ensure Indigenous peoples can partner with Fisheries and Oceans Canada on fish and fish habitat conservation and protection activities related to:
    • planning
    • protection
    • monitoring
    • conservation
    • data collection
  • Funding for capacity building to support (priority given to projects in inland areas):
    • establishing organizational structures
    • coordinating and managing activities across multiple communities or groups
    • increasing access to training and skills development programs for Indigenous peoples

Who can apply
You may be eligible for the IHPP capacity-building, engagement, or collaboration funding if you are:

  • an Indigenous community, band or settlement
  • a district council, chiefs’ council or tribal council
  • an Indigenous association, organization or society
  • an Indigenous fisheries:
    • commission
    • council
    • authority
    • board
  • an Indigenous economic:
    • institution
    • organization
    • corporation
    • co-operative
  • a partnership or aggregation of Indigenous groups
  • a body or entity established by rights-holding communities to represent them
  • a service provider working with Indigenous organizations in fish and fish habitat (mandated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada)

Eligible activities
The program funds engagement processes such as preparation for and participation in activities and initiatives associated with the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act. This includes:

  • providing information, data and views regarding:
    • current or likely effects of proposed regulatory, program or policy initiatives on the regional area
    • related impacts on potential or established Aboriginal rights or titles
  • reviewing studies and reports relevant to proposed initiatives (if available)
  • giving feedback to Fisheries and Oceans Canada on these initiatives
  • conducting engagement activities, such as meetings or discussion groups
  • conducting outreach to increase awareness of initiatives among Indigenous peoples

The program supports building capacity for:

  • operational programming
  • monitoring, including baseline monitoring
  • monitoring of projects and evaluating activities
  • public and community outreach and education
  • collaborative planning that is:
    • bilateral between an Indigenous group and Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • multilateral between many Indigenous groups and Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • among Indigenous organizations
  • science and research into Indigenous knowledge related to fish and fish habitat
  • monitoring and reporting on progress of technical capacity-building

Capacity building funds will also support:

  • training, information, knowledge, skills and professional development related to:
    • fish
    • fish habitat
    • conservation
    • aquatic ecosystems
    • protection of fish and fish habitat
  • developing and maintaining management structures and governance, including:
    • administration
    • overall program management
    • organizational strategic planning
  • business planning and studies to look at how easy or difficult it may be to build capacity
  • outreach activities to strengthen awareness of fish and fish habitat conservation among Indigenous peoples
  • collecting, developing and providing data, information and studies on fish and fish habitat issues in support of capacity building

The program funds collaborative activities that support:

  • integrated planning initiatives
  • monitoring, including baseline monitoring
  • establishing fish and fish habitat conservation and protection priorities
  • aquatic ecosystem data collection

How to apply:
To apply, submit your completed proposal form to your regional office.

The proposal form can be accessed here.
Instructions to complete the proposal form can be accessed here.

Questions and Proposal Forms can be submitted to the following regional address: