Building and strengthening relationships: Changes to SGAP support underrepresented organizations
In response to feedback gathered through community consultations as part of the ongoing Funding Program Renewal Project, SaskCulture updated the Small Grant Accessibility Program (SGAP) guidelines in 2025 to prioritize initiatives focused on 2SLGBTQ+ and disability cultural communities.
Prior to the changes, some groups from the 2SLGBTQ+ and disability cultural communities “were not accessing this grant because they were unsure if they fit into SaskCulture’s scope,” says Tomasin Playford, outreach consultant, SaskCulture. The additions to the priorities list have been successful in broadening the grant program’s reach.
"After adding initiatives with a 2SLGBTQ+ cultural and disability cultural focus to the priorities list, we immediately noticed an increase in applications and interest,"- Tomasin Playford
The 2 Spirit Alliance of Saskatchewan (2SAS) is one of the organizations that has applied for SaskCulture funding for the first time since the changes to the SGAP. In early 2026, 2SAS received SGAP funding to host a Two-Spirit Awareness Day and Spring Equinox celebration in March in Regina.
The group organized the event because, in consultations with the Two-Spirit community, 2SAS found that the most requested need was safe ceremonial spaces.
Jordy Ironstar, volunteer council member, 2SAS, says that Two-Spirit community members run into barriers in accessing these spaces, because “often ceremony or cultural gatherings can have emphasis on one’s biological sex. A lot of Two-Spirit folks don’t feel comfortable in these spaces because they feel they will have to explain or justify who they are.
“We assist in cultural activities respectfully while respecting protocol but recognize that the notion of gender and sex are two different aspects of a person’s identity. We add educational aspects to make sure our Two-Spirit relatives understand who we are, what we do (in ceremony) and why we do it,” Ironstar adds.
The group has hosted the Two-Spirit Awareness Day celebration twice in previous years, at friendship centres and with exclusively First Nations and Métis participants. This year, 2SAS held the event at the University of Regina, which Ironstar says inspired interest from the broader campus community.
“One of the students, a newcomer, came up to me and shared about their culture and teachings of gender and sexually diverse people, reflecting on contrasts and similarities,” Ironstar says.
"That diversity is something I want to think about incorporating moving forward."- Jordy Ironstar
Aside from offering a safe ceremonial space for the community, 2SAS’ event was also successful in bringing wider awareness to Two-Spirit Awareness Day. To build on this momentum, 2SAS is preparing to seek a provincial proclamation for the commemorative day next year.
Playford says that SaskCulture is already receiving more inquiries from 2SLGBTQ+ and disability cultural groups for future funding rounds, and anticipates interest in the grant will keep growing.
“I hope that the word will spread in local communities, and that more people learn about this resource,” Playford says. “It’s important for people to know that they are being prioritized