Legal Clinic for Indigenous Storytellers

All applicants to ISO programs must confirm they have read the General Funding Guidelines prior to submitting an application.

Indigenous Identity

The spirit and intent of ISO funding is to support Indigenous storytelling and Indigenous companies and organizations that are controlled by Indigenous people, who have decision-making authority and creative control.

For the purposes of ISO programs, “Indigenous” is defined as status and non-status First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada. All applicants must be residents of Canada and have spent 8 months out of the last year living in Canada.

Please consult the Building Trust and Accountability: Report on Eligibility in the Indigenous Screen Sector which informs the ISO in regards to Indigenous identity, relationality, and access to funding programs. We also encourage applicants to consult the ISO’s working document on identity: ISO Policies and Processes for Eligibility in Relation to Indigenous Identity.

• Are a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person residing in Canada and who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
• Working in screen-based content, including TV, film, and web, gaming, apps, and XR (VR, AR);
• The project is under the financial and creative control of the applicant; two of the three key members of the creative team (director, screenwriter, showrunner/lead producer) must be Indigenous;
• Is not in a state of bankruptcy within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada);
• Must be in good standing with the ISO, with no outstanding final reports, defaults or pending complaints or investigations.

Indigenous storytellers are asked to fill out an application form, after which they will be paired with a lawyer and asked to sign up for a specific time.

Please note these meetings are meant to be an initial consultation. Any further resources needed will be the responsibility of the Indigenous storyteller.

The clinic will take place Thursday, July 25, 2024. There are limited spots available. We encourage those interested to apply as soon as possible.

ISO is not liable for any information exchanges in the meetings.

Currently appointments are only offered in English.

An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation will be conducted by the ISO Program Coordinator and Program Manager.

Ineligible or incomplete applications can be withdrawn at any time in the process. Applicants will be notified by the ISO when the application is withdrawn.

Applicants must supply the following information. Details for each requirement can be found in the program in the application form, as well as in the Application Requirements checklist.

• Applicant Information Form
• Application Form
• Voluntary Personal Data (optional)
• ISO Declaration

Applications must be completed and submitted as soon as the applicant is ready or by July 12, 2024 at 5pm PST. The portal will close on the deadline or when all available slots are full, whichever comes first and applications will not be accepted after that time.

Successful notifications can be expected 1-2 weeks following the closing.

ISO staff will internally assess each application in line with the program focus and the assessment criteria as follows:

• Need of the applicants;
• Impact, including the advancement of the applicant’s career within Indigenous storytelling and possible enrichment of the cultural life of relational community(ies) or contribution to the Indigenous Screen Sector.

The ISO also considers the following priorities during assessment and allocation of funding:

• Regional and intersectional representation;
• Availability of funds, ISO mandate, and strategic goals;
• Thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and clarity of application;
• Representation of Indigenous languages;
• Sustainable production practices and that encourage environmental responsibility.

The Legal Clinic for Indigenous Storytellers has a deadline of July 12, 2024 at 5:00pm PST or when all slots are full, whichever is first, at which time the ISO will:

• Close the program;
• Update the website, and announce the closure on social media and via the ISO newsletter.

Please contact funding@iso-bea.ca within 10 business days of the program’s closure if you require a downloaded copy of your application. Otherwise, all in-progress applications will be deleted 10 business days after the program has been officially closed.

The ISO acknowledges that within the screen industry, numerous individuals require assistance beyond the conventional support offered by typical funding bodies. Consequently, the ISO will provide monetary support of up to $500.00 CAD on a case-by-case basis to address accessibility expenses during the application stages.

These expenses include but are not limited to;

• Application writing and support;
• Video or audio recording;
• Equipment rentals;
• Professional fees;
• Language interpretation/translation fees;
• Final report submission support.

If you have barriers to access including but not limited to language, internet or physical barriers, please contact the ISO to discuss accommodations and support at funding@iso-bea.ca.

If at any time, an Applicant, as required or requested by the ISO, provides false information or omits or misrepresents material information in connection with an application, including with respect to Indigenous identity, such provision of false information, omission or misrepresentation will be considered an event of default and the ISO may exercise the following contractual rights:

• Termination of any contracts, including any remedies thereunder;
• Denial of eligibility for existing and future funding;
• Repayment of any funds already advanced;
• Civil and potential criminal prosecution, in the case of fraud.

These measures may be imposed not only on the Applicant but also on related, associated and affiliated companies and individuals that are parties to the
application. Any Applicant receiving approval for funding will be required to sign a legally enforceable agreement, which includes provisions concerning
misrepresentations, defaults, and related matters.

When sharing information about ISO funded projects or opportunities, Applicants are required to tag ISO on any social media posts related to this funding, and include the ISO logo when applicable:

• Instagram – indigenousscreen
• Twitter – screen_office
• Facebook – ISO.BEA

Questions are encouraged prior to submission or the application closing date and may be directed at any time to funding@iso-bea.ca.