July 2, 2026

Lambton College recently hosted the grand opening of its Indigenous Outdoor Space. The $8M space is a permanent, purpose-built gathering space that is being used to support Indigenous learners and programming, as well as partnerships with Indigenous communities. “This is one of the most meaningful days in the history of Lambton College,” said Lambton President Rob Kardas. “The Indigenous Outdoor Space is a visible reminder that Indigenous culture belongs here, and it is a visible commitment that Indigenous learners and Indigenous community members belong here, too.” Sarnia News Today states that the design of the Indigenous Outdoor Space was overseen by Architects Tillman Ruth Robinson and Red Quill, and led by Wanda Dalla Costa of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, the first First Nations woman architect in Canada.

The University of New Brunswick’s McKenna Institute and the Joint Economic Development Initiative have taken STEAM education on the road with a mobile makerspace initiative called Wabanaki in Motion NB: Roots to Stars. Funded by the Mastercard Foundation and the TD Ready Challenge, the mobile initiative will travel to Indigenous youth in communities across New Brunswick. It will provide hands-on STEAM tools and workshops in areas including AI, cybersecurity, digital fabrication, and quantum physics. “The mobile unit was created with input from Indigenous youth and Elders. They helped shape every aspect of the space from its design and colours to the programming offered,” said JEDI CEO Stanley Barnaby. “Their ideas and creativity are reflected throughout ensuring that the space is meaningful, relevant, and rooted in the community.”

In June, schools across the country marked National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day by sharing information and holding special events. Red River College Polytechnic, Saint Mary’s University, and the Upper Grand District School Board were among those that shared resources and guidance to support learning about Indigenous culture and history. The University of Winnipeg’s Office of Indigenous Engagement spearheaded a new initiative to accept donations on behalf of Agape Table from now until June 30. Schools in districts such as the Delta School District (DSD) and Elk Island Public Schools hosted events that included assemblies, guest speakers, and traditional games and dances to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day. The Delta Optimist reports that DSD encouraged schools across Delta to develop grassroots initiatives to mark the day instead of launching a centralized, top-down district event.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recently announced a $3.3M investment over three years into five health projects that will be conducted in collaboration with FIrst Nation, Métis and Inuit communities. One of the projects will be led by Aurora College and will focus on the development and implementation of community-based, climate-adaptive strategies for co-managing rabies. The other projects will be led by Canadian Pharmacists Association in collaboration with Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross in collaboration with the Nunatsiavut Government, the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, and Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak.

The kihci-okāwīmāw askiy Knowledge Centre at the University of Saskatchewan and the Indigenous Kinship Circle (IKC) have launched the Indigenous Grasslands Stewardship and Knowledge Exchange Network. Supported by $2.6M over five years from the Weston Family Prairie Grasslands Initiative, the cross-boundary network will focus on Indigenous-led conservation that preserves biodiversity. The network will act as a community of practice and facilitate mentorship partnerships. “The project supports First Nations land stewards, harvesters, Elders, youth, and students, while advancing Indigenous Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in grassland conservation,” said USask kihci-okāwīmāw askiy Knowledge Centre Director Candice Pete-Cardoso.

HEC Montréal announced the Circle of Alliance with First Peoples, a new initiative designed to strengthen teaching, research, and knowledge sharing related to Indigenous realities. The initiative builds on work performed in partnership with First Peoples in First Nations Executive Education, which launched in 2021. HEC Montréal Full Professor Marine Agogué, the co-leader of the initiative, explained that the circle was inspired by a “Two-Eyed Seeing” approach that combines Indigenous knowledge and Western science. “The Circle is intended to serve as a knowledge-sharing hub for the entire student body, staff, faculty, and beyond,” said Agogué.

As institutions across Canada held graduation ceremonies, several marked special “firsts” with their convocations for Indigenous students and programs. Carleton University celebrated the inaugural cohort of its Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities program with an Honouring Ceremony. The 17 graduates received paddles with the program logo on them and a copper cup to add to their bundles. The Pembina Hills School Division hosted its first ever recognition of Indigenous graduates with a special Indigenous graduation ceremony at Barrhead Elementary School. Each graduating student was presented with gifts, such as a sash for Metis students and lanyards for First Nations and Inuit students. Trent University and Yellowknives Dene First Nation celebrated the graduation of the first Northwest Territories cohort of the collaborative Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences Diploma program. Several of the graduating students travelled 3,000 kilometers with their family, program coordinators, and First Nation leadership for Trent’s convocation ceremonies in June.

At Concordia University, community members, faculty, staff, and students recently gathered for the inauguration of a student-led Indigenous Garden project. The garden will serve as a gathering place for land-based learning and as a home for traditional foods and medicines. At the inauguration, participants planted seeds and plants such as beans, corn, squash, and tobacco. “It’s been so fulfilling to get our hands dirty and witness new life emerging from the soil that we helped create,” said Concordia Associate Professor Akwesasró:non Louellyn White, who worked with students to plan the garden. Students will develop land-based skills in the garden that they will be able to pass on to their families and relations, and will pass along the responsibility of caring for the garden to future students. The organizers say that in the future, they hope to be able to cook and enjoy food from the garden at student gatherings, hold soup and bannock kitchens, and share with local shelters.

Fleming College has introduced Lacrosse Sixes to its athletics program, creating an opportunity for students to learn more about Indigenous cultures, traditions, and history. The college states that the introduction of the game is also part of its commitment to Indigenous learning and reconciliation, explaining that the game “was first created by the Haudenosaunee people and was a sacred activity used to give thanks to the Creator, and recognized as a form of medicine or used to resolve conflict.” The new athletics program will open a new door for local players looking for an opportunity to play lacrosse at a competitive level while pursuing higher ed. In its first season, the Fleming Phoenix lacrosse team will play against other postsecondary institutions across Ontario. “Athletics play an important role in building community, leadership and personal growth,” said Fleming AVP, Student Experience Joanne Spicer. “This program not only expands opportunities for our student-athletes but also creates pathways for cultural learning and understanding.”

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc has announced that it will no longer offer its Post-Secondary Scholarship program, which provided students with a maximum of $2,500 per school year. The scholarship program relied on $8.6M in funds that were awarded to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc in the 2016 Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. The funds will reportedly be exhausted by the middle of this year. “Over the past decade, the Foundation has used these funds to provide scholarships and programming that have benefited Inuit across Nunavut,” explained Nunavut Tunngavik Inc Director of Communications Annie Thomlinson. The organization will continue to offer other scholarship and funding programs.