Bridging Classrooms to Communities pilot program receives $10.5M to improve Indigenous student outcomes

Alberta Education is piloting the Bridging Classrooms to Communities (BCC) program, which intends to build relationships between Indigenous partners and local school authorities. The program aims to improve First Nations, Metis, and Inuit student educational outcomes and opportunities by helping organizations build relationships with local school authorities and supporting the hiring of community connection workers. The program is supported by a $10.5M investment from the Government of Alberta: Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) will receive $7.5M for friendship centres within their network, while the remaining $3M will go to support up to 35 community connection projects from eligible Indigenous organizations. “These meaningful connections will help provide excellent opportunities for Indigenous students to feel heard and receive support to excel at school and in life now and in the future,” said AB Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson.