News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kahnawà:ke - 22 Ohiarihkó:wa / July 2025) 

On July 7, 2025, the McLean Day School Settlement Corporation (MDSSC) Board of Directors hosted a national virtual launch to announce the Legacy Fund and outline the process for submissions and funding opportunities for Survivor communities over the coming years. 

As part of the $1.47 billion Federal Indian Day Schools Class Action Settlement, a $200 million Legacy Fund was created to benefit Survivors, their children, and grandchildren. The MDSSC Legacy Fund is now accepting submissions for the first round of funding from eligible Survivor communities. The application window remains open until the end of September 2025. Louise Mayo, who attended the launch event in Ottawa, confirmed this announcement. 

Funding is available exclusively to Survivor communities listed in Schedule K of the Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement (FIDSSA). Kahnawà:ke is one of the communities identified under this schedule. 

Funding will be distributed under four pillars: 

• Healing and Wellness – up to $250,000 per year, for up to four years
• Language and Culture – up to $100,000 per year, for up to four years
• Commemoration – one-time funding of up to $100,000 (can be distributed over four years, but cannot exceed this total)
• Truth Telling – one-time funding of up to $100,000 (can be distributed over four years, but cannot exceed this total) 

The first call for submissions, which opened on July 7, 2025, includes two funding streams:

1. Up to $25,000 to establish a Survivor Committee within the community 

2. Between $100,000 and $250,000 (per year for up to four years, or as a one-time grant depending on the pillar) to support programs and activities identified by existing Survivor Committees and communities as areas of greatest need

For more information or to download the application form, please visit the MDSSC website: McLean Day Schools Settlement Corporation

 If you have questions or require support with your submission, contact the Legacy Fund team at legacyfund@mdssc.ca. The deadline to submit applications is September 30, 2025.