The Sovereignty in Action (SIA) Awards
Honouring Indigenous-led Climate Justice
The Sovereignty in Action (SIA) Awards are an ICA initiative.
Offering up to $2,500 to small grassroots Indigenous-led groups and projects.
Through this initiative, we are honouring the bravery and commitment of our communities demonstrating Indigenous sovereignty and climate justice that is vital to further building up Indigenous climate action in so-called Canada. Rooted in reciprocity, this initiative informs the ways we continue to work towards a world with sovereign and thriving Indigenous Peoples and cultures, leading climate justice for all.
What SIA Strives to Achieve
We believe the dedication of Indigenous communities upholding climate action and sovereignty and self-determination deserves recognition and support, and hope that this low-barrier nomination will allow us to help in achieving our goals to:
Award up to $100K annually through two intakes to Indigenous grassroots organizations and individuals across so-called Canada.
Recognizing and strengthening existing Indigenous initiatives. The Sovereignty in Action Awards is not intended to seed new projects, but rather uplift meaningful work already being stewarded.When/Where to Apply
ICA will accept nominations twice a year as follows:
Summer Intake: June 18 to July 15, 2025. Award recipients will be announced later in the summer.
Fall Intake: Dates to be announced.
Why This is a Low-Barrier, Decolonial Offering
Removing gatekeeping: Self-nomination is allowed, and no formal project proposal is required.
Uplifting what already exists: Instead of asking applicants to create something new, SIA honours and amplifies the work people are already doing.
Photos and stories are collected at the application stage: Not to gatekeep, but to uplift and amplify your work through our social media, with care and consent. This helps bring visibility to your leadership and builds broader public support for Indigenous climate justice.
No non-profit status needed: Individuals, collectives, and grassroots groups are all eligible.
Storytelling as reporting: Final contributions can be oral, written, visual, or creative — centering relational accountability over institutional metrics.
Accessible eligibility: Open to Métis, First Nations, and Inuit individuals and groups — whether rural, urban, on or off-reserve, status or non-status.
Twice-a-year intake: Gives folks more than one chance to apply and reduces urgency or pressure.
Submit here to nominate yourself or an individual for an upcoming project that aligns with ICA’s initiatives to support climate justice and Indigenous sovereignty.