We are pleased to announce this 2013 request for proposals (RFP) for projects that focus on youth, and incorporate culture and tradition to address social issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, mental health or other social issues. Note: This is a two phase proposal.

Specifically, we are seeking projects that focus on one or more of these four priority areas:

• Preserving, strengthening or renewing cultural and/or spiritual practices, beliefs and values.
• Engaging both youth and elders in activities that demonstrate methods for documenting traditional knowledge, practices, and/or beliefs, where culturally appropriate.
• Increasing youth leadership and their capacity to lead through integrated educational or mentoring programs.
• Increasing access to and sharing of cultural customs and beliefs through the use of appropriate technologies (traditional and/or modern), as a means of reviving or preserving tribal language, arts, history, or other culturally relevant topics.

First Nations expects to award approximately 20 grants. Some projects may have previously received funding through the Native Youth and Culture Fund (NYCF), and are seeking additional support to expand the original project, with a view toward sustainability. First Nations would prefer to review projects of no longer than one year in length, and with budgets between $5,000 and $20,000. Only in very exceptional cases, will we consider projects that do not fit these guidelines