Work with us: Indigenous Communities

Building what matters to your community

Community gathering

Working together to build community-led solutions

At Otipêy Foundation, we work directly with Indigenous communities to co-design and develop socio-economic initiatives that can be structured into scalable, community-led investments. Our focus is on advancing locally identified priorities, strengthening economic development and resilience, and achieving measurable outcomes through innovative financial approaches.

You identify the problem or priorities, and we work with you to design and support solutions that reflect your values, knowledge and long-term vision.

What we offer

1.

Resources and time to co-develop solutions to community priorities

2.

Support in ensuring projects are investable and scalable

3.

Impact measurement frameworks for community projects

4.

Bespoke training for community members

5.

A long-term partnership built on trust, respect and results

How it works

You identify the challenge.

We co-design the solution and business.

We co-design investment pathways.

Your community leads the work.

Why work with Otipêy Foundation

1.

Indigenous-led and Indigenous-governed

2.

Focused on innovative approaches that deliver measurable results

3.

Grounded in self-determination, reciprocity and respect for Indigenous knowledge

4.

Your community leads the work

Community-led solutions

An example of how we work

Type-2 diabetes reduction initiative with the Island Lake Anisininew Nations

In Northern Manitoba, four Anisininew communities are facing a diabetes crisis. But instead of waiting for outside programs, we stepped forward to lead on our own. In partnership with Otipêy Foundation, we began designing a new wellness model that included peer coaching, culturally-based healing and digital health tools, all grounded in Indigenous knowledge.

Philanthropy helped make it possible, funding the design phase, supporting evaluation frameworks, and ensuring cultural alignment. Now, the project is preparing for full implementation and ready to serve hundreds of people. This isn’t just a health initiative. It’s a model for Indigenous-led systems change.

 — Laurie Wood Ducharme, Executive Director, Four Arrows Regional Health Authority

"I joined the Otipêy Foundation in it's early inception knowing it would provide an essential vehicle of tranformative change in how our Indigenous Nations work toward true self-determination. Temporal and piecemeal funding has not served the long term goals and objectives of our communities. A paradigm shift is happening where our communities are developing innovative solutions toward systemic change which require funding at scale and generational commitment. Otipêy is a true game-changer, transforming grassroots projects into major investment opportunities. This enables us to reshape and scale budgets for community initiatives from hundreds of thousands to even millions of dollars and more."

Carl Mashon

Board member, Otipêy Foundation

"I see the Otipêy Foundation at the forefront of financial and social innovation, helping communities build the capacity and tools needed to attract investments on their own terms. For me, the foundation’s work is a vital driver of our economic self-determination."

Elder Dr. Ahwidokazit Wendy Phillips

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FAQ

How is Otipêy Foundation different from Otipêy?

Otipêy Foundation and Otipêy are sister organizations. Otipêy Foundation is focused on analysis, incubation, research and measurement for long-term systems change, while Otipêy is an Indigenous-led investment platform that designs, builds and manages funds that invest across the economy to advance Indigenous economic self-determination.

Do we need to have a specific project in mind?

No. Many communities come to us with a priority or challenge rather than a fully formed project. We begin with community engagement to build a shared understanding of the opportunity, then work together to co-design the solution from there.

What kinds of projects qualify?

We work on community-led initiatives that address significant priorities not well served by traditional funding — from health and wellness to housing, clean energy, employment and other social and economic outcomes. What matters most is that the priority comes from the community and has the potential for measurable, lasting impact.

Can this work for small communities?

Yes. Our approach is built around partnership, not scale. We've worked with communities of many sizes, and the process is designed to meet a community where it is, adapting timelines and support to fit its capacity and needs.

Is this culturally safe?

Cultural safety is central to how we work. Every initiative is Indigenous-led and co-designed with the community from the outset, grounded in local knowledge and traditions, with the community retaining oversight and the final say at every stage.

How do we get started?

Reach out through our contact page to start a conversation. From there we'll set up an initial meeting to learn about your community's priorities and explore whether a partnership is the right fit.

Work with us: Indigenous communities

Let's address communities' priorities, together.

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