1971 Inc., an Indigenous-owned mineral exploration company, is pleased to announce the submission of eight key grant applications to support the ongoing development of its flagship lithium claim (Claim ID 948486), located in the Kenora Mining Division within traditional Métis Nation territory.
These applications represent a multi-pronged strategy to secure funding for infrastructure planning, early exploration, Indigenous engagement, and values mapping. Together, they reinforce 1971 Inc.’s commitment to combining innovation, Indigenous leadership, and environmental responsibility in the search for critical minerals essential to Canada’s clean energy transition.
Grants Submitted by 1971 Inc.:
- Aboriginal Participation Fund – Mining Conferences Funding Sub-Stream (MNDM)
Supports travel, registration, and presentation costs for mining conferences. This funding will enable 1971 Inc. to showcase Claim 948486 and share its innovative, AI-driven exploration approach with national and international stakeholders. - Aboriginal Participation Fund – Mineral Development Advisor Program (MNDM)
Provides resources to hire a dedicated mineral advisor to guide Indigenous-led exploration strategy, permitting, and technical development. - Aboriginal Participation Fund – Early Exploration Support Sub-Stream (MNDM)
Covers geophysics, sampling, and assessment activities for early-stage mineral claims. Funding will accelerate field evaluation and support data collection for Claim 948486. - Aboriginal Participation Fund – Education and Relationship-Building Stream (MNDM)
Enables community engagement, workshops, and outreach events to strengthen local knowledge-sharing and enhance Métis community participation in critical minerals development. - Aboriginal Participation Fund – Values Mapping & Related Projects Stream (MNDM)
Supports culturally grounded land-use mapping and documentation of traditional Métis knowledge within the claim region, ensuring exploration is aligned with Indigenous values and practices. - Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants (Natural Resources Canada)
An Expression of Interest was submitted to support a feasibility study for clean road and energy infrastructure that would enable access to the remote lithium project site. - Ontario Trillium Foundation – Capital Stream
Application submitted to fund infrastructure and capital investments related to lithium exploration and development under 1971 Inc.’s AI-targeted claim portfolio. - Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships Program (Ontario)
An application is being finalized to support Indigenous-led natural resource development, focused on technical and governance capacity around Claim 948486.
? Positioned for Growth and Sustainability
1971 Inc. continues to lead with innovation, applying a proprietary Artificial Intelligence engine that analyzes over 40,000 geoscientific data points to identify high-probability critical mineral zones. Claim 948486 ranks within the top 0.02% of lithium discovery probability in Ontario based on this system.
“We’re proud to stand at the intersection of advanced technology and Indigenous stewardship,” said Scott Milburn, Director of 1971 Inc. “These funding applications reflect our deep commitment to community-driven exploration, long-term economic development, and a clean energy future that includes everyone.”
