Canada Program
Harness the potential of young Indigenous people through improved education, learning and career pathway opportunities; and improving the governance and management of water resources to meet the needs of local communities.
23%of Indigenous youth in Canada are unemployed
31water advisories still exist in 27 Indigenous communities
Our approach
Empowering young Indigenous people to self-determine their futures
by delivering accessible education programs; supporting the preservation, reinforcement and promotion of Indigenous culture and tradition; and breaking down social barriers.
Ensuring water resources are sustainably and equitably managed
by driving awareness, support and trust to address the risks; encourage policy frameworks for more effective decision-making; and develop practices for sustainable water use.
Partners and projects
Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization
Providing support to Indigenous communities in building capacity to successfully carry out their own language revitalization. Envisioning a future where Indigenous languages are healthy and vibrant, and are spoken in homes, schools, workplaces, and on the land.
Transformative Governance: Collaborative Leadership Initiative
To advance reconciliation and enhance water sustainability, this project seeks to implement and embed a process for reconciliation-based collaborative governance that will transform community-driven decision making between Indigenous and municipal leaders in watersheds across Canada.
Natural Infrastructure for Water Solutions
An initiative to scale up natural infrastructure on Canada's Prairies—for cleaner water and more resilient communities—from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). To take natural infrastructure from novel to normal, IISD is working with organizations and partners across the prairies to strengthen the business case for natural infrastructure, encourage uptake in urban and rural communities, and enable relevant market and policy systems.
Northwest Territories On The Land Collaborative
Through a community-led collaborative governance model, MakeWay aims to improve the accessibility of resources and support for land-based education and cultural revitalization activities in Indigenous communities across Northwest Territories in Canada, as a means to promote reconciliation and justice.
Program news
View all newsIndigenous self-determination is a right BHP Foundation actively supports
The BHP Foundation partners with Indigenous organizations and local communities in many parts of the world to actively support self-determination.
148 days ago
Canada program
Proposals open for Measurement, Learning and Evaluation program partner
We are looking for a Measurement, Learning and Evaluation partner to support our country-level programs in the US and Canada.
365 days ago
Canada program
Revitalizing Indigenous language for current and future generations
Language is the fundamental way Indigenous peoples share their knowledge, communicate their understanding of the world and connect with their spirituality. Evidence suggests that language plays a critical role in Indigenous peoples’ well-being, including their mental health and sense of community belonging.
534 days ago
Canada program