WD Tourism Relief Fund — Indigenous Stream ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Indigenous-owned businesses and enterprises - Indigenous community organizations and groups - Indigenous tourism operators and attractions - Indigenous cultural and heritage organizations - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities - Indigenous cooperatives and social enterprises - Indigenous not-for-profit organizations focused on tourism development - Businesses where Indigenous peoples hold majority ownership or control ### 💰 Funding Details Non-Repayable Contribution: - Maximum: $100,000 - Coverage: Up to 50% of eligible project costs - Applicant must fund remaining 50% through own resources or other sources Repayable Contribution: - Maximum: $500,000 - Must be repaid according to negotiated terms - Interest rates and repayment schedules determined case-by-case Combination Approach: - Organizations may combine non-repayable and repayable components to maximize total funding support ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Tourism product development and enhancement - Infrastructure improvements for visitor experiences - Marketing and promotional activities - Cultural experience programming and interpretation - Training and capacity building for tourism staff - Digital platforms and technology adoption for tourism services - Signage, wayfinding, and visitor information systems - Equipment and facilities upgrades - Feasibility studies and business planning - Community engagement and consultation activities ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Project must enhance tourism experiences or increase visitor attraction to the region - Applicants must demonstrate community benefit and alignment with Indigenous values - Project completion timelines must be clearly defined with measurable milestones - Recipients must provide progress reports and financial accountability documentation - Matching funds (minimum 50%) must be secured before funding release - Repayable contributions require formal loan agreements and security arrangements - Projects must comply with environmental and cultural heritage protection requirements - Funds must be used within the approved timeframe; unspent amounts may be forfeited - Ongoing evaluation and performance metrics required throughout project implementation