​The​ ​Enchanté Network

Announcement of Dedicated Funds for Indigenization, Anti-Racism, and Anti-Oppression Initiatives in the 2SLGBTQ+ Community

2020-06-25

To our member organizations and to the broader 2Spirit and LGBTQ+ community,

This June is pride month, Indigenous History Month, as well as one of the most powerful periods of protest we have seen in a generation. Across North America, and all over the world, people are demanding an end to police brutality, and both anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racist violence.

While we celebrate Pride this June, we must acknowledge that LGBTQ+ communities have been complicit in racism—both inside and outside of our own spaces. Although 2Spirit, Indigi-queer, and QTBIPOC communities have always been at the core of our movement, there are far too many LGBTQ+ spaces created by, and for, white folks. From our parades, to Pride centres, to our grassroots movements, our work is often far too white—and our spaces can be unwelcoming, or even outright discriminatory, towards BIPOC people.

The Enchanté Network commits to using our relationships and our resources to help 2SLGBTQ+ organizations to make their spaces more equitable and diverse, and to support them in building capacity around anti-racist programs and education.

Today, we are announcing that our micro-grants program, which provides $110,000 to Canadian 2SLGBTQ centres and initiatives, will now include a unique stream of $36,650 dedicated directly to Indigenization, anti-racism, and anti-oppression initiatives in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Details of this new funding stream will be released over the coming months. BIPOC engagement and decolonial frameworks are crucial parts of making 2SLGBTQ+ spaces inclusive and equitable, and we are proud to announce this new project.

In addition to this commitment, we will be improving our administrative processes surrounding the micro-grants in the future. In the spirit of accountability, we would like to acknowledge that we failed to distribute funds to our community within the promised timelines. We are sorry for any difficulties this caused and will ensure that the next delivery of the program – including the separate stream announced today – will have seamless support for all recipients.

The Enchanté Network is dedicated to supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities that are building more inclusive spaces, services, and programs. Anti-racism and Indigenization/decolonial efforts must be properly resourced. The launch of our new dedicated funding stream is part of our commitment to supporting this work. We hope that by launching this new funding stream for 2Spirit, queer, and trans community organizations, including our own, will take meaningful steps towards building more inclusive spaces and deconstructing white supremacy.

With friendship and solidarity,

The Enchanté Network Board of Directors

Update on our Micro-Grants Program

2020-03-16

The Enchanté Network has had a busy past few months, which included a successful launch of our Micro-Grants Program—with a total of 432 applications submitted from all 13 provinces and territories.

However, due to the rapidly evolving situation regarding COVID-19, we recognize that many of these applications are for event-based capacity building projects that may be disrupted by the current circumstances. As a result, the Enchanté Network has established the following contingency plan for our Micro-Grants program.

All applications submitted before our March 5th deadline will be considered under our original criteria. After the recipients are announced, any applicants that requested funding for projects that will be cancelled due to COVID-19 precautions, such as in-person events, will have the ability to submit an alternative proposal for approval on a case by case basis. Please note that any alternative proposals will still need to be based on capacity building projects. Our staff will be there—every step of the way—to support any successful applicants that need to resubmit alternative capacity building proposals for approval.

We truly understand that 2Spirit and LGBTQ+ community groups and service providers are facing significant challenges. In these difficult times, we encourage you to call your friends and loved ones, and closely adhere to advice from your local public health authority.