The Manitoba government has allocated around 800-thousand dollars for its Orange Shirt Day Fund.

This new grant program, was announced Wednesday by Premier Wab Kinew, minister responsible for Indigenous Reconciliation.

He said it will support events and activities that encourage Manitobans to reflect on the impacts of the residential school system.

The fund will provide one-time grant funding in 2024, for projects and initiatives that advance truth and reconciliation by raising awareness of Orange Shirt Day.

Orange Shirt Day, also known as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, became a federal statutory holiday in 2021 through the passing of Bill C-5.  In December 2023, Manitoba also established September 30th as a provincial statutory holiday.

Eligible funding applicants include grassroots or non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities and leadership organizations, educational institutions, daycares and municipal governments throughout Manitoba.

Applications for the fund are now open and are due August 1st.