BC Healthy Communities announces 2026 PlanH grant recipients, with Indigenous and Métis communities leading the way 

From the Tsideldel First Nation in the Central Interior to Musqueam on the coast, Indigenous and Métis communities are front and centre in this year’s PlanH grants. BC Healthy Communities (BCHC) has announced 31 successful recipients for 2026, with nearly 40 per cent of the funding going to Indigenous projects. 

BCHC received applications from communities in all provincial health authority regions this year. Of the 31 grants selected, 12 are going to Indigenous-led recipients, including 11 First Nations governments and one Métis Chartered Community.  

“Indigenous communities across the province are leading the way in creating healthier communities through projects, practices and learning opportunities that focus on people, culture and the environment,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Health. “Through this year’s PlanH grants, we are investing in stronger, more connected communities and advancing public health closer to where people live.” 

BCHC Executive Director Vanessa Manuel agreed, pointing to the record number of first-time and Indigenous applicants. 

“This year’s applicants reminded us why PlanH is so important,” said Manuel. “Communities know best what will strengthen the health and well-being of their own people.”  

“Seeing so many Indigenous and Métis communities step forward this year, many for the first time, tells us this program is reaching the people who can put it to the best use, she added.” 

PlanH funding was distributed across two streams: 19 Community Connectedness grants worth $5,000 each, and 12 Healthy Public Policy grants worth up to $15,000 each. Seventeen of the 31 recipients are small, rural or remote communities, and eight organizations are receiving PlanH funding for the first time. 

Among the newcomers are Kanaka Bar Indian Band, Musqueam Indian Band, Skatin, Taku River Tlingit First Nation, Tsideldel First Nation, Ts’il Kaz Koh, the Village of Zeballos and Yunesit’in Government. 

The projects reveal a wide range of priorities identified by communities. Pauquachin First Nation’s Rekindling the Culture project will bring youth, Elders and community members together to learn traditional skills through regalia making, sewing and storytelling. Yunesit’in Government’s Stick in the Mud project will open a coffee house where residents can connect each morning.  

The North Island Metis Association’s Sitting with our Ancestors project will run educational workshops for Métis community members who are discovering or reclaiming their ancestry, building knowledge of Métis history, culture and kinship. 

The Village of Zeballos will develop a master parks and trails plan to establish a coordinated, policy-driven approach to recreation. The plan will identify accessible, low-barrier recreation opportunities, strengthen connections between neighborhoods and the waterfront, prioritise culturally relevant features and introduce gathering spaces that support social interaction.  

Several Healthy Public Policy grants will also support long-term planning in Indigenous communities. Kanaka Bar Indian Band will develop a comprehensive community plan integrating climate resilience, health and food security. Tsideldel First Nation will create a healthy community policy framework to guide decision-making across departments. Líl̓wat Nation will establish a mobile health outreach framework to improve access to preventive care, while Musqueam Indian Band will develop a policy centred on Elders’ health, wellness and inclusion. 

The District of Summerland received a Community Connectedness grant with the purpose of enhancing youth mental health and well-being by expanding safe and inclusive youth programs. The City of Richmond will focus on equitable pedestrian access during construction by engaging seniors, people with disabilities, and community partners to identify barriers, inform inclusive planning, and develop solutions that enhance mobility. 

PlanH is a province-wide program run by BC Healthy Communities which supports local governments and Indigenous communities in advancing healthy public policy and building stronger, more connected communities. The program is funded through a partnership with the BC Ministry of Health.