Funding Pathways: Make This Program Free for Your School
The total investment for Beading a Soldier’s Story is $3,575 per 100 students ($35.75 per student), which fully covers primary source research assets, artifact handling, place-based monument entry, and all physical beading materials for the keychains.
CIMTA is dedicated to making this program accessible. We actively assist school divisions, individual teachers, and parent councils in securing external funding. When completing your booking request form, indicate if you intend to utilize or apply for one of the funding pathways below.
1. Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) Indigenous Education Initiatives Grants
Amount: Up to $2,000 per application.
Who applies: ATA members, through their ATA local. The application deadline is March 30 each year.
What it supports: Projects that build Indigenous education into the school community and align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, including relationships with Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous communities and organizations. The grant does not fund one-time events that are not part of a broader school or local plan, so we recommend speaking with your ATA local’s Indigenous education contact before applying.
ATA grants, awards and scholarships
2. Local Education Foundations
Grande Prairie Public School Division Education Foundation: The Foundation funds programs, projects and initiatives that enhance learning for students in Grande Prairie Public School Division schools, including resources not funded through traditional government funding. Grants are provided to schools rather than individual teachers, so please speak with your principal about using your school’s grant for this program. Questions can go to the Foundation at edfoundation@gppsd.ab.ca or 780-532-4491 ext. 1041.
Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools Education Foundation: The Foundation supports special projects for district staff and students. Please ask your principal whether it can support this program.
Project Summary for Your Application
Funding is requested to bring the “Beading a Soldier’s Story” cultural education program to our students. Developed by the Canadian Indigenous Military Tourism Association (CIMTA) and hosted at the Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre, this full-day experiential learning program transforms students into “story keepers” for Northwestern Alberta soldiers killed in WWI and WWII. Guided by Elder Bill Chalifoux and skilled Indigenous artisans, students participate in a traditional smudging ceremony, analyze authentic primary military documents and artifacts, and learn traditional beading techniques to craft a permanent memorial campaign ribbon and ID tag keychain. This program directly satisfies Alberta Program of Studies requirements across Social Studies (Grades 7–12), Fine Arts, and English Language Arts by bridging foundational Indigenous knowledge, local Treaty 8 military history, and hands-on art integration. Most importantly, it advances reconciliation by exploring the distinct contributions of diverse local veterans and critically examining the systemic post-war discrimination faced by Indigenous soldiers upon their return home.
Download the Teacher Information Guide for the Alberta curriculum connections.