Supporting Indigenous Leadership: At the Heart of a Just and Equitable Transition in Greater Montréal

Montréal, April 16, 2026 — No just and equitable transition can take place without recognizing and valuing the essential role of Indigenous Peoples. It is with this conviction that the Greater Montréal Climate Fund is partnering with the Raven Indigenous Impact Foundation and awarding it a $110,000 grant to provide its incubation program in support of and collaboration with the Environment Protection Unit of Kahnawà:ke (KEPO).

Since 2017, the Raven Indigenous Impact Foundation has supported Indigenous communities in addressing their priority challenges through impact-focused funding. With support from the Greater Montréal Climate Fund, the organization will deploy its collaborative processof co-designing environmental, economic, and social solutions directly inspired by the needs expressed by the Kahnawà:ke community.

More than a project, this incubation program is intended as an agile space for innovation and dialogue, where Indigenous leaders and community members, experts, investors, and public institutions come together. Working together, these stakeholders rely on targeted collaboration, a nuanced understanding of the territory, and evidence-based data to develop a shared vision for change and ultimately bring forward concrete climate adaptation and mitigation solutions.

Guided by a holistic and culturally safe approach, this lab places a fundamental principle at the core of its work: returning decision-making power to those most directly concerned. Far from any top-down approach, the selected initiatives (such as social enterprises, programs, or partnerships) will respond directly to the community’s strategic priorities. Their implementation will be led by KEPO, the organization responsible for planning and deploying environmental protection and stewardship strategies in Kahnawà:ke.

“As a member of the Kahnawà:ke community,this project resonates with me personally. Here, sustainability is not aconcept — it is a way of life. This opportunity honours what we have always known: that the best solutions come from those who live on the land.”

— Wáhiakatste Diome-Deer, Associate Partner and Chief of Staff, Raven Indigenous Impact Foundation

“As long-standing stewards of our territories, Indigenous Peoples play a central role in advancing a just, equitable transition grounded in resilience. We are immensely proud to support this environmental protection initiative in Kahnawà:ke—an approach that honours local knowledge while charting a path toward a sustainable future for the entire Greater Montréal region. Thank you to all those moving forward together to make this possible, including our philanthropic partner, the McConnell Foundation.”

— Vincent Moreau, Executive Director of theGreater Montréal Climate Fund

For more information or to request a media interview, please contact:

Noémie Dubuc
Communications Manager
Greater Montréal Climate Fund
514-893-7426
ndubuc@fondsclimat.com

Jess Harris
Director, Temple Scott Associates
437-227-6123
jharris@tsa.ca

About the Greater Montréal Climate Fund

The Greater Montréal Climate Fund is acharitable organization that catalyzes public, private, and philanthropic capital to support decarbonization projects across the Greater Montréal region, including Indigenous communities. It provides grants, develops programs, and makes investments to support innovative initiatives with strong scaling potential in sustainable mobility, buildings, energy, and capacity building.The Greater Montréal Climate Fund is part of the Low-Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) network. Learn more: fondsclimatmontreal.com

About the Raven Indigenous ImpactFoundation

The Raven Indigenous Impact Foundation was established in 2017 as a philanthropic organization that leverages research and education to improve the well-being of Indigenous Peoples. Through the development of financial innovation tools and its impact project incubation program, the foundation supports Indigenous communities in achieving their socio-ecological transformation goals, thereby creating positive and lasting impact. Learn more: ravenimpact.org

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