Applications for Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund are now open. Oshki Wupoowane launched on September 30, with an initial $1 million investment from Hudson’s Bay Foundation and a commitment to direct 100% of net proceeds from the sale of all HBC Point Blankets to The Blanket Fund moving forward. Since then, The Blanket Fund has grown to more than $1.5 million, which will be disbursed to successful applicants over multiple years.
Through two grant streams, The Blanket Fund will provide support for Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities. Indigenous people, as well as Indigenous-led initiatives and organizations in Canada, are eligible.
The Ojibwe “Oshki Wupoowane”, “a new blanket” in English, was chosen as the name of The Blanket Fund in collaboration with Chanie Wenjack’s family. The Wenjack sisters guided us on the naming, with Chanie’s sister Evelyn coaching us through proper pronunciation and syllabics.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or need any support submitting your application, please contact us at fund@downiewenjack.ca or 1-844-944-4545 ext. 41.