April 17, 2024

The Government of British Columbia has implemented new legislation that recognizes First Nations-mandated institutes as a “key pillar” of the provincial postsecondary system and ensures operational and capacity funding to support the institutions. $6.45M in annual funding has been allotted to eligible institutes under the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association. “We appreciate the stability this legislation will offer to our institutes as they grow to meet the needs of their communities,” said President of the First Nations Education Steering Committee Tyrone McNeil. “We look forward to the work ahead to implement the BC First Nations tripartite post-secondary education model in the spirit and intent of Article 14 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” The legislation was developed in partnership with FNESC and IAHLA.

The Government of Canada has released its Budget 2024, which includes investments in Indigenous culture, learning, and language. Of particular note, the budget includes an investment of $243M to unlock pathways to postsecondary education for the next generation of First Nations university and college students. The investment builds on the 2019 budget’s funding for Métis and Inuit postsecondary education. Canada is also creating a National School Food Program, which will provide $1B over five years to expand access to school food programs. The program includes targeted investments for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, which have “some of the highest rates of food insecurity in Canada.”

Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation and NCC Development have partnered to offer a training program that will provide Inuit students in Nunavut with the training they need to work in the construction industry. The program will train up to 90 Inuit as apprentice carpenters, plumbers, electricians and more. Training will be provided in Inuktitut and English and will be delivered in communities such as Arctic Bay, Arviat, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Taloyoak so that students can stay close to their communities. Graduates will be able to enter into the workforce and fill the need for more Inuit working in the trades or, alternatively, enter the trades program at Nunavut Arctic College. “We know that Inuit are capable. We know that Inuit want to be employed. Our job is to ensure that Inuit are prepared so they can take on the jobs,” said Makigiaqta Chair Aluki Kotierk.

In a recent article for Bay Today, Stu Campaigne discusses the parallels between the renaming processes for two Ontario schools: Iroquois Ridge High School in Oakville and Chippewa Secondary School North Bay. Campaigne outlines the history of the renaming processes for each school, including concerns about the use of terms “Chippewa” and “Iroquois,” the resistance that the renaming process has faced from local community members, and the “change of heart” demonstrated by their respective school boards. The article highlights the voices of several Indigenous community members who criticized the school boards’ process as lacking transparency, collaboration, and accountability. Several of these issues were further covered in a recent article in Sudbury.com. “As treaty people, our community was not consulted,” said delegate Jody Harbour of the decision to rename Iroquois Ridge. “Consultation is the first step in everything that we do and not the last one.”

Two important announcements have recently come out of Nunavut. First, the Government of Nunavut and the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities (DEAs) have announced increased funding to support the full-time employment of DEA office managers. The executive secretarial services and administrative duties taken on by DEA Office Managers make it possible for DEA members to focus on strategic thinking and bring their community’s voice to school programs. Second, Nunatsiaq News reports that NV has received a report on the repairs required for Ataguttaaluk Elementary School. NV requested a building condition assessment on Ataguttaaluk—which is reportedly one of the territory’s oldest elementary schools—back in October. The recently released report has identified 127 issues with the building, including 58 issues that are deemed high priority or critical due to code violations or posed hazards.

University College of the North and Georgian College have signed an agreement that will bring Georgian’s immersive, interactive Indigenous language teaching tools to UCN. Georgian’s Indigenous Peoples in XR Project uses virtual, hybrid, and augmented reality technology to provide context-based language learning to a broader community. UCN states that the two colleges share a goal of creating a community around the preservation, teaching, and sharing of Indigenous languages in Canada and around the world. Under the agreement, UCN will be an ally of the Indigenous Peoples in XR Project. “This agreement represents an innovative approach to teaching Indigenous languages,” said UCN President Doug Lauvstad.

In a recent article for the Brandon Sun, John Gleeson discusses the increasing Indigenous student applications and engagement at institutions such Brandon University. Applications from students who identify as Indigenous have risen by 29% compared to last year throughout all the university’s faculties. Education (43%) and science (42%) saw the highest increase, which Gleeson explained is particularly important because of the demand for more Indigenous teachers in Winnipeg’s school districts to help close the gap in graduation rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Outside of BrandonU, Gleeson points to other efforts supporting Indigenous students: The province has created a new assistant deputy minister position for Indigenous excellence in education and the University College of the North has expanded its Indigenous teacher-focused bachelor of education program. Other postsecondary institutions have been making efforts to increase Indigenous engagement, including BrandonU’s inclusion of Indigenization language in its new collective agreement with faculty and the University of Manitoba’s Indigenous Leaders gala.

Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) and the Government of Saskatchewan have partnered to develop and deliver programming at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre’s Urban Camp. The partnership aims to reduce recidivism by providing mental health and addiction support, education, and employment opportunities to prepare adult male offenders to reintegrate into their communities. Students can choose from programs in landscaping, building and property maintenance, cleaning, community gardening, construction, and event clean up and disaster relief support. SK will provide $802K over three years to support the program’s startup and costs over the next three fiscal years. “STC remains committed to helping people find a new and healthy path into society,” said STC Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “Our Urban Camp programming offers the supports that can help make that happen for some as we try to break the cycle of incarceration.”

The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) has launched the ICC Canada Archive, a digital database that promotes Inuit knowledge, participation, advocacy, and leadership. The archive—which is available in English, Inuktitut syllabics, and Qaliujaaqpait—includes records such as special archives, art, and artefacts that document how Inuit have contributed to global issues such as environmental protection, human health, maritime regulations, sovereignty and security, biodiversity, food security, and human rights and Indigenous Peoples rights. More resources will be added to the portal over time and ICC staff will work on creating digital stories that share ICC and Inuit history.

The University of Guelph has renamed its science atrium Waasamowin, which means bathed in light in the Ojibwe language. Global News reports that the university embarked on the renaming project in the name of Indigenization. The renaming project was led by UoGuelph professors Melissa Perrault and Ryan Gregory and guided by Anishinaabe Elder Rene Meshake. The atrium features four original paintings by Indigenous artists who were inspired by the visions for the space and presented during the renaming ceremony. “We’ve worked on many different initiatives including orientation handbooks,” said Perrault on the renaming and Indigenization project.