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‘Walking hand-in-hand in a good way.’ 9 Coast Salish Nations empower local youth

Your donation helps Vancouver Island youth access their limitless potential
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This holiday season, the Kw’umut Lelum Foundation has a big shiny holiday goal of raising $20,000 to support local youth sport, education, language revitalization and cultural art and music. Visit klfoundation.ca/donate to donate today!

Our young people are our future, and we know that investing in their growth creates pathways with limitless potential. But generations of restrictive policies and rising costs of living mean it’s not always possible for families to give their children the opportunities they deserve.

“We hear from parents who tell us about how much their children love their after-school activities, but the costs are adding up and becoming unrealistic for them,” says Sharon Hobenshield, Executive Director of the Kw’umut Lelum Foundation (KLF). “That’s where we can help. We can fill the gap and ensure kids can pursue their passions in a way that works for their family.”

KLF was born out of the need to ensure local First Nation communities are the ones deciding how best to invest and support First Nation children and the families that love them. It’s the first Indigenous owned and led community foundation in British Columbia (led and stewarded by nine Coast Salish Nations), and one of a growing network of Indigenous-owned charities in Canada.

KLF is guided by three founding values:

  • Uy’ ya’tulct ci’cuwatulct: Walking hand-in-hand in a good way
  • Stitumstuxw tun shqwuluwun: Self-determination
  • Xwunuts’amaat uw’ muqwstem: Inter-connectedness

With the support of international and local businesses and community members like you, KLF has created a powerful collection of grants and scholarships to support Coast Salish children:

  • Education
  • Language, Arts, Culture
  • Physical Literacy
  • Community Capacity
  • Financial Literacy

“We are proud to be an early partner of Kw’umut Lelum Foundation. We are united in our beliefs that every person has the potential to transform their life and to improve the lives of their families and their communities,” says Jennifer Brennan, Head, Canada Programs, Mastercard Foundation. “First Nations-led philanthropic organizations know best the initiatives that are needed for maximum impact and positive change and can play an important role in self-determination.”

KLF was born out of the need to ensure local First Nation communities are the ones deciding how best to invest and support First Nation children and the families that love them. It’s led and stewarded by nine Coast Salish Nations.
KLF was born out of the need to ensure local First Nation communities are the ones deciding how best to invest and support First Nation children and the families that love them. It’s led and stewarded by nine Coast Salish Nations.

Empower local youth to access their limitless potential

This holiday season, the Kw’umut Lelum Foundation has a big shiny holiday goal of raising $20,000 to support local youth sport, education, language revitalization and cultural art and music.

  • $25: Supports a month of soccer for a child.
  • $75: Supports a month of hockey for a child.
  • $100: Supports a beading and arts course for a child.
  • $1000: Supports cultural drum making for young musicians for years to come.

“We are a small First Nation-led charity, doing big work right here in on Vancouver Island. Your donations are in good hands and make a real difference,” Hobenshield says.

KLF benefits from, and honours, the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and warmly welcomes businesses, industries and individuals into the conversation.

“The KL Foundation is providing tangible, grassroots support to local families and honouring the Truth and Reconciliation process. I’m grateful to have been able to support them and encourage others to do the same,” says Tara Campbell, owner of Nanaimo’s Plantara.

KLF is a charitable organization registered with the CRA. Visit klfoundation.ca/donate to donate today!

With the support of international and local businesses and community members like you, KLF has created a powerful collection of grants and scholarships to support Coast Salish children. Visit klfoundation.ca/donate to donate today.
With the support of international and local businesses and community members like you, KLF has created a powerful collection of grants and scholarships to support Coast Salish children. Visit klfoundation.ca/donate to donate today.