The Weengushk Film Institute (WFI) Endowment has been established to secure the long-term permanence and independence of Indigenous-led film and media education in Canada.
This Endowment is not an annual fundraising initiative. It is institutional infrastructure, built to reduce reliance on cyclical funding and to protect the conditions required for Indigenous education to endure.
Reconciliation and De-colonization in Practice
At WFI, reconciliation and de-colonization are practiced through the intentional creation of protected, culturally grounded learning environments. Students and community members have access to safe space to work, reflect, and step back when needed—without penalty or pressure—while engaging with land-based learning, personal history, and ethical storytelling shaped by colonial impacts. These conditions are core infrastructure.
Purpose of Endowment Income
Endowment income supports core institutional functions that must exist in perpetuity, including:
• Access and tuition relief for Indigenous students
• Indigenous faculty, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers
• A stable operating foundation for Indigenous student housing
• Protection of land-based and culturally grounded pedagogy
• Long-term institutional resilience
Structure and Stewardship
Endowment capital is permanently restricted. Only annual investment income may be distributed, guided by Board-approved policies. Assets are segregated from operating funds and subject to Board oversight and annual reporting.
Gifts of Securities
WFI can accept gifts of appreciated publicly traded securities, including stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bonds, preferred shares, and mutual fund units. Donors are encouraged to consult their advisors. WFI welcomes direct coordination with donor advisors to facilitate efficient, compliant transfers.
Contact
For confidential inquiries regarding the Endowment, please contact:
Nano Debassige
Vice President, Weengushk Film Institute