Grants
Rosemary Lambie Fund for Learning: Respecting our Indigenous Neighbours
Terms of Reference
On the joint recommendation of the Living into Right Relations Leadership Circle (LIRR) and the Property and Finance Leadership Team (PFLT) the Conseil regional Nakonha:ka Regional Council establishes the Rosemary Lambie Fund for Learning: Respecting Our Indigenous Neighbours.
The Fund is to honour the faithful service of the Reverend Rosemary Lambie for many years with Presbytery, Conference and finally as Executive Minister of Regional Council and her commitment to, and passion for learning from, our Indigenous siblings and neighbours.
After seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Mohawk communities of faith in Kanesatake and Kahnawake, and also looking toward building relationship with Indigenous communities in the northern and eastern areas of Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council, the Fund shall be used to promote education, co-learning, and building right relationship so that we all might have a better understanding of the history and/or contemporary experiences and concerns of our Indigenous neighbours. This would require learning to work together “in a good way.”
The PFLT has recommended that approximately 20% of the Contingency Reserve Fund be allocated to create the Fund which would be $100,000 as of January 1, 2023 and the Regional Council accepts this recommendation. Further gifts and allocations to the Fund are permitted and encouraged. The Fund shall be held and administered by the Finance and Extension Board with all disbursements as directed by Regional Council under these Terms of Reference.
Understanding that the needs are great, but that the Fund should endure for a number of years, the disbursement of funds annually is limited to the greater of a) 5% of the capital balance at the beginning of a given year and b) $20,000.
Grant applications would be received by the LIRR Circle who would assume the responsibility of corresponding with the grant applicants regarding any questions. Representatives named by Kanesatake and Kahnawake would be essential in this process. The grants would then be passed on to the Granting and Enabling Leadership Team (GELT).
Grant applications should be in the standard GELT format but GELT shall accept a more abbreviated form as LIRR may recommend. Grant applications may be drafted in Indigenous languages and Regional Council shall assume translation costs into English or French.As required by Regional Council policy all grants from the Fund shall require the recommendation of the Granting and Enabling Leadership Team (GELT) and must be made to communities of faith of the United Church of Canada or its partners or other registered Canadian charitable organizations.
LIRR may propose amendments to these Terms of Reference which in principle GELT and Regional Council shall accept in good faith.
All parties pray that the Holy Spirit shall guide us in opening ourselves to new possibilities for learning about our Indigenous siblings and neighbours which would be a fitting honour for the Reverend Rosemary Lambie’s example and service among us.
You can find more information here.