October 21, 2026

Yellowquill University College has been given formal degree-granting authority by the Government of Manitoba through the proclamation of the Yellowquill University College Act. The act removes previous limitations to the institution’s ability to grant degrees and expand programming, which brings the institution into alignment with public universities, colleges, and private religious institutions in the province. Yellowquill Interim Director Doreen Stranger called the change “the beginning of a new era for Yellowquill.” “We have always known in our heart what is right for us as First Nation people when it comes to our education,” stated Stranger.

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) has announced an $18.2M investment to support the development of a new childhood development and wellness centre. The funds will be used to create a new Saviruut Building, which will host the Aboriginal Head Start early childhood program and the Iglulik Wellness Committee. QIA stated that there has been a longstanding need in the community for these services. “This is how we build pride in our identity, build healthier families, and stronger communities,” said QIA President Olayuk Akesuk. “I am deeply proud that QIA is able to support such pivotal community-led initiatives that support healing, wellness, and transfer of Inuit traditional knowledge and worldview to future generations of Inuit.”

Six Nations Polytechnic’s Social Service Worker (Indigenous Specialization) Diploma program has received formal approval from the Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council. Students will develop their knowledge and skills in the classroom and through experiential and community-based learning. “This program represents an important step forward for SNP and for students who want to build careers supporting individuals, families, and communities,” said SNP President Dr Richard Anderson. The program will welcome its first cohort in January 2027.

Regina Public Schools has laid out a new three-year plan for Indigenous education. The plan follows five guiding principles—respect, relevance, reciprocity, responsibility, and relationality—with the vision of embedding Indigenous perspectives and Treaty Education across all learning. It outlines key priorities across several fronts, including student success and attendance, Community and Elder engagement, and professional development. The school board is reportedly looking at broad initiatives on the fronts of potential curriculum additions, course options, and inclusive programs before looking to school-specific initiatives.

Kenjgewin Teg has announced that it will house the Turtle Island Indigenous Journal of Health within its research portfolio. The journal is an accessible platform for research, scholarship, and projects related to Indigenous health. Kenjgewin Teg Director of Research Dr Amy Shawanda will serve as the journal’s Editor-in-Chief. “We are honoured to be entrusted to carry on the important and critical work of the TIJIH as part of sharing scholarship and knowledge, ideas which I believe strongly will lead to more innovations in practice for communities,” said Kenjgewin Teg President Dr Beverley Roy.

Suncrest College and Yellow Quill First Nation have signed a memorandum of understanding. Under this agreement, the two parties will work together on access to culturally relevant education and training, skills development, pathways to employment, and collaboration on strategic initiatives. “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating pathways for learning, skills development, and meaningful opportunities that support the community and its members,” said Yellow Quill First Nation Chief John Machiskinic. “We are proud to begin this journey together with a shared vision for a brighter future.” Suncrest President Alison Dubreuil also noted how working together and sharing knowledge will enable the college to support the priorities of the community and create meaningful learning and training opportunities.

Several communities are facing challenges with a shortage of student support assistants and educational assistants due to reduced funding through the federal government. Fisher River Cree Nation is grappling with a shortage of educational assistants at a time when more students with special needs are enrolled in the school system, reports CBC. Fisher River Cree Nation Councillor Barry Wilson said that Fisher River has submitted a request for more funding through Jordan’s Principle, but noted that there are challenges with students getting the necessary needs assessments done. Meanwhile, Nunatsiaq News reports that teachers in Nunavut have access to fewer student support assistants this year. The change reportedly stems from the ongoing review of the Inuit Child First Initiative, which means that school-related requests are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis in the interim. “There’s a lot of behaviour needs, a lot of medical diagnoses that need and deserve special attention,” said Nunavut Teachers Association president Justin Matchett. “It definitely causes a lot of stress, burnout and hardship on the teachers when they’re trying to manage all of that on top of teaching the curriculum.”

Concordia University’s Office of Community Engagement has released a new guide on building “respectful, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial” research partnerships with Indigenous communities. The guide, which is the second resource in the university’s Dewemaagannag / My Relations series, contains guidelines in partnership development, ethics, and data sovereignty. Concordia project lead Natasha Blanchet-Cohen called the guide “a small part of reconcili-ACTION,” explaining that it serves to make sure research reflects communities’ lived experiences.

The Justice Institute of British Columbia recently shared the results of A Year of Witnessing, a year-long initiative focused on helping employees understanding the ongoing impacts of systemic racism on Indigenous peoples. In this initiative, JIBC staff and faculty took part in viewings of the film This is Not a Ceremony through VR headsets, reflected on what they witnessed, and spent time with JIBC Elders-in-Residence. “We educate and train people for public safety professions and people in these roles have been part of the history of systemic racism against Indigenous Peoples,” explained JIBC President Len Goerke. “The more that the institution reflects on the reality, the more likely we are to change it, the more likely that the people we’re training are going to do things differently than the generations before them did.”

Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations (MCFN) has expressed its disappointment with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s decision to dismiss a challenge of education funding inequities. The landmark complaint filed by MCFN alleged discrimination in how Canada funds education for First Nations children living on reserves. The tribunal’s decision was released on October 6. “We brought this case forward because we believe education is a fundamental right and because the experiences of First Nations children and the realities facing our schools must be taken seriously,” stated MCFN Chief Margaret Sault. “We are disappointed by this decision, but our commitment to our children has not changed.”