Original Peoples Investment Program
The Original Peoples Investment Program (OPIP) supports the preservation and revitalization of First Nation/Métis/Inuit (FNMI) art through art-based projects and activities that are supported and validated by FNMI artists, community, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers.
This year, 41 projects were funded to a total of $389,441.65. Applications were assessed for eligibility and shared within the Community Circle of OPIP artists and applicants on May 4, 2019.
The Community Circle is unique as part of the Indigenous-led granting process as it allows the applicants to use a sharing circle to connect with and learn from other local Indigenous artists. OPIP was a great success for 2019 based on the growing trust and increase in investments to Indigenous artists within our community.
Our applicants this year reflect the diversity of Treaty 7 and Calgary (known as Mohkinstsis in Blackfoot) First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists. As we prepare for our second year of OPIP we anticipate greater interest and applications in 2020.
Explore some of the funded projects as part of the Original Peoples Investment Program Showcase.
The table below outlines those that received a grant, the project they applied for, and the amount of funding.
| Grantee | Project | Grant Amount |
| Adrian A Stimson | Mohkintsis/Siksika – Connecting through ART and The Land |
$10,000 |
| Aleegis | Oral Based Language | $5,500 |
| Alexandra Manitopyes | In the Land of the Rising Sun | $10,000 |
| Alyssa Duck Chief | Summer Art Program | $10,000 |
| Amy Hill | Craddle-boards | $10,000 |
| Andrew James Stockell | Black Guitars & Backward Hats | $10,000 |
| Andy Moro | ROOM | $10,000 |
| Angel (Aubichon) Sanderson | Akam’askihy (Across The Land and Seas) | $10,000 |
| Autumn Whiteway | Reclaiming Our History | $10,000 |
| Azby Whitecalf | Whistleblower and the Memegwesi Children’s Storybook | $6,151.65 |
| Berkley Brady | Untitled Stampede Project | $10,000 |
| Camille Pablo Russell | Be Like A Buffalo, Face the Storm Phase 1. Four animated film shorts with Elder Pablo Russell. | $10,000 |
| Chantal Chagnon | Creating Community through the Heartbeat of Mother Earth | $10,000 |
| Cowboy Smithx | Elk Shadow | $10,000 |
| Curtis Lefthand | Hold Your Ground – Indigenous Identity in Hardcore Punk | $10,000 |
| Dwight Farahat | Writing and Recording Dwight Farahat’s – Hip Hop Album | $10,000 |
| Elijah Wells | Six portrait paintings | $10,000 |
| Glenna Cardinal | Isuu (prev. Indigenous Grandmothers) | $10,000 |
| Indigenous Resilience in Music Society of Alberta | The Indigenous Resilience in Music Season of Professional Development | $10,000 |
| Jared Tailfeathers | Instrument Making through Traditional Methods | $9,835 |
| Jason Gordon | The Missing Rose | $10,000 |
| Jessica Mcmann | Composition Project | $10,000 |
| Jonelle Belcourt | Kohkum & The Hunt | $10,000 |
| Justin Many Fingers | Niitsipowsiin development workshop | $10,000 |
| Kelli Rae Morning Bull | Treaty Money | $10,000 |
| Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society | Twin Spirited Celebration | $10,000 |
| Marcie Meguinis; TwoGuns Designs | Embroidery Art Showcase | $9,400 |
| Migration Festival | Migration Festival | $10,000 |
| Native Diva Creations | Indig Inc Tokyo trade mission | $7,350 |
| Sam Bighetty | The Spiritual Journey Behind The Four Directions of Reconciliation | $10,000 |
| Sandra Sutter | Cluster Stars Outreach | $10,000 |
| Sarah Houle Lowry | The Act of Dreaming | $9,950 |
| Seth Dodginghorse | Nadisnoni Cowa Gut’i | $10,000 |
| Staci Duchene | The Stories are my Medicine | $6,755 |
| Stacy Da Silva | Haute Natives | $10,000 |
| Stoney Nakoda Audio Visual Club | Win’ge’he Ahiya (Raising a Song) Musical Film | $10,000 |
| Tamara Cardinal | Mekinawewin: to give a gift | $10,000 |
| Tara Beagan | Goal Keeper | $4,500 |
| Tracy Breaker | Buffalo Spirit Expansion Project | $10,000 |
| Trevor Solway | Sandhills | $10,000 |
| Yvette Denby; Breann and Kaleena Denby | CD Project Carrying Forward Traditions | $10,000 |
Accountability Reports and Year-End Financials
