Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Group-Based Projects Fund?
I am from a First Nation outside of Ontario. Where do I go for funding related to employment?
Where do I go to access O-GI funded services?
Question 1: Who is O-GI Eligible?
Answer 1: Program intervention support for individual OFIFC-GREAT Initiative employment and training program clients are restricted to individuals of Aboriginal descent who are resident in Ontario at the time of application and who meet one of the following criteria:
A. Non-status Indians
who:
i. do not consider themselves Metis;
ii. have no membership to a First Nation in Canada or the United States;
iii. are not Inuit; and,
iv. are deemed unaffiliated by the local delivery mechanism responsible for
program intervention resources in your community.
B. Status Indians on the general Indian registry of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada who have no membership to an Indian Band in Canada and who are deemed unaffiliated by the Indian Band that is indicated on their certificate of Indian Status.
C. Status Indians who have membership with a First Nation outside of Ontario but are currently residing in Ontario.
Question 2: What is the Group-Based Projects Fund?
Answer 2: The Group-Based Projects Fund has been established to provide funding opportunities in three (3) strategic areas to groups of unaffiliated individuals and unaffiliated community organizations or agencies in their efforts to address local community development, economic or labour market needs and priorities through human resource development approaches.
Community Strategic Projects
To provide support to Aboriginal communities as a whole in their efforts to address the identified human resource development needs of groups of unaffiliated/out-of-province individuals and unaffiliated organizations and agencies which will lead to overall development for the community or communities.
Group Based Training Projects
To support projects designed to meet the training needs of a group of clients as defined through local labour market assessments.
Economic Development Projects
To provide funding opportunities to unaffiliated/out-of-province clients and groups for design, development and implementation of locally viable economic development initiatives.
See Group Based Application and Group Based Application Guide.
Question 3: I am Aboriginal, but I have no affiliation to a First Nation, Métis or Inuit organization. I've lived in the city all my life. Can I access these services?
Answer 3: Certainly! O-GI services are targeted for Aboriginal people who have no affiliation to a First Nation or Aboriginal organization that would otherwise be responsible for providing them with employment-related funding. If you are "unaffiliated", these funds are for you!
Question 4: I am a band member of a First Nation in the province of Ontario. Do I have to go home for employment services?
Answer 4: Anyone may access the services of an O-GI employment counsellor or intake worker. However, if you wish to access funding for additional services, such as training or wage subsidies, you must go through to the Local Delivery Mechanism that is associated with your band.
Think of it this way: when you apply for post-secondary education funding, you must go through your band, right? Now that there is employment-related funding, First Nation members from the province of Ontario must seek out the Local Delivery Mechanism that is working with their band. The same principle applies if you are eligible for funding through the Métis Nation of Ontario.
Funds are available through the First Nation or Métis organization where you are a member, and you must apply through their respective Local Delivery Mechanisms.
Question 5: I am from a First Nation outside of Ontario. Where do I go for funding related to employment?
Answer 5: If you are affiliated with a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit organization outside the province of Ontario, you may seek employment related funding through the O-GI.
Question 6: Where do I go to access O-GI funded services?
Answer 6: O-GI's
LDM's (local delivery mechanisms) will be able to direct you to the Employment
Unit in your area.