Series - Editorial Fellowship: Transforming Funding Models

A flipped power dynamic: Philanthropists must apply to a council of aunties to fund these Indigenous groups

Author Gabe Oatley
“This is a really big leap. This is not how things are done,” says Jess H̓áust̓i, co-lead of the Right Relations Collaborative.

Why It Matters

Funders and grantmakers often wield considerable power over their fundees, determining what gets funded, when and how. The Right Relations Collaborative flips this power dynamic by putting Indigenous aunties in the driver’s seat. The model is firmly rooted in a local territory, but offers a new approach to grantmaking that could inspire a shift in funding relationships across the country.

var TRINITY_TTS_WP_CONFIG = {"cleanText":"A flipped power dynamic: Philanthropists must apply to a council of aunties to fund these Indigenous groups. This journalism is made possible through the Future of Good editorial fellowship covering the social impact world\u2019s rapidly changing funding models, supported by Community Foundations of Canada and United Way Centraide Canada . Last summer, Nuskmata (Jacinda Mack), talked on a headset as she walked around her property just north of Williams Lake, B.C.. It was mid July and hot. The aim of the call was to decide how she and few other Indigenous women would distribute about half a million dollars amongst several Indigenous organizations \u2014 their own and a couple of others. It was a call unlike any she\u2019d ever had.\u00a0 \u201cThere was

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