August 26, 2026

Communities across the prairies are marking the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6 with gatherings, reflection, and calls for improvements to the Treaty relationship in the future. Meadow Lake Now reports that Treaty 6 was agreed to or later adhered to by a total of 54 First Nations from regions that would later become Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Elder Gladys Wapass-Greyeyes and Saskatchewan Office of the Treaty Commissioner representative Dr Kathy Walker both commented on the importance of the mandatory Treaty education offered in Saskatchewan schools. Walker explained that she has noticed a change in mainstream education over recent years, with a movement from Treaty history being largely silenced and marginalized to a reality where students learn about treaty beyond the classroom. “While there are some promising developments, I think we still have a long way to go,” said Walker. Indigenous Chiefs and Elders, Crown representatives, and politicians marked the anniversary with a special gathering that included ceremonies, knowledge sharing, a viewing of the original Treaty, and more.

The Government of Ontario has announced a nearly $75M investment into bolstering the provincial long-term care workforce, including through Indigenous institutes. Most of the funding will go to initiatives related to training new personal support workers, registered practical nurses, and registered nurses, with the remainder set aside for the Supporting Professional Growth Fund to support ongoing education and training. One of the supported initiatives will see eight Indigenous institutes receiving a combined investment of $13.5M over two years to support PSW, practical nursing, and pre-health education programs. Students in these programs will graduate with the cultural competency they need to care for Indigenous residents in Indigenous communities and across the province.

The University of Alberta has opened its new First Peoples’ House. This $16.8M, three floor building replaces a former space in the Students’ Union Building, offering Indigenous students a new location where they can gather and feel at home. Students can visit the centre to participate in ceremonies, connect with Elders, and smudge. They can also access a gym, a healing room, and study spaces. Nêhiyawêwin (Cree) is prominent throughout the centre. “Institutions weren’t created for us,” said UAlberta Assistant Dean for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students Shana Dion. “We weren’t at the tables, and now we created our own table and created a space that’s just for our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students. Where they can thrive. Where they can be a part of ceremony, hear the language, listen to the Elders, listen to the teachings, and gather all the information and the teachings that they never had before.”

A recently released report on Indigenous-led housing innovation demonstrates the opportunities to improve housing in the North by supporting more Inuit architects and builders, reports Nunatsiaq News. The report for CMHC, written by University of Waterloo Professor and Red River Métis architect David T Fortin, explored the landscape of Indigenous-led housing innovation in Canada and emphasized the importance of community-driven housing solutions for Indigenous communities. Among the report’s recommendations, Fortin called for building local capacity through training programs that could expand the technical skill base within local Indigenous communities while also generating local economic opportunities. “It is crucial to have more Indigenous architects with lived experience,” said Fortin. “Our schools need to be better at recruiting and retaining northern students and I think the future is hybrid education…. It will come, but we’re in the very early stages.”

The Government of Québec and the City of Chibougamau have celebrated the official opening of the Maamuu Pimutetaau community residence. This residence can accommodate 16 Indigenous families in which the adults are pursuing postsecondary education or otherwise returning to education. In addition to housing units, the facility includes a multipurpose community space and dedicated study room. It is also located directly adjacent to the Awash Utamet Indigenous Early Childhood Centre. QC states that residents will begin to move in within the next year. Centre d’études collégiales à Chibougamau du Cégep St-Félicien directrice Roxanne Joly described the opening of the residence as a major step forward for student success that will remove significant barriers to pursuing postsecondary studies.

A proposed treaty among the Government of British Columbia and five First Nations could see parcels of Crown land—including Hatley Park, which hosts Royal Roads University and Hatley Castle—transferred from the Government of Canada to five First Nations on the island. The agreement has been in negotiation for 30 years, according to CBC, and includes parcels of land that include Hatley Castle and the grounds around Royal Roads University. If the land is transferred to Songhees Nation, lawyer Robert Janes explained that the university would be able to purchase the land from the nation. CBC reports that the discussions have generated concerns about the future of the castle and access to the property among some members of the public.

White Bear First Nation has launched a new technology hub to ensure students interested in studying information technology can complete their studies closer to home. The hub initiative—supported by partners that include Humber Polytechnic and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies—will open the door to more education, training, and employment opportunities in the technology sector for members of the First Nation. The development of the hub took over a year of planning and assembling to complete, reports CTV News. “Although [the pace of technology developments] can be intimidating, I think if we lean into it with initiatives like this it’s going to be nothing but an asset for us,” said White Bear First Nation Councillor Savannah Standingready. The first cohort of students for the hub’s 10-month IT Technician Diploma program will begin their studies in October 2026.

Lambton College and Indspire have partnered to help Indigenous learners pursue careers in water and water treatment. Eligible Indigenous students will be able to enter Lambton’s Environmental Technician – Water Treatment Operations program with financial, housing, and student success supports. “This first-of-its-kind opportunity brings together specialized training and Indigenous learners to help meet the urgent need for water and wastewater skills and talent within Indigenous communities,” said Indspire President Jocelyn Formsma. The first cohort will begin their studies in Fall 2026.

On two campuses, bear sculptures by Cree artist Stewart Steinhauer are offering the opportunity for community members to learn about and reflect on Indigenous stories. Steinhauer is a stone carver from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta’s Treaty 6 Territory, with longstanding ties to the Okanagan region. At Okanagan College, granite bear sculptures by Steonhauer have been installed on the college’s Kelowna and Penticton campuses. The college explains that the two sculptures—one of a single grizzly bear and one of a mother bear with its cubs—reflect stories and teachings informed by Steinhauer’s time spent living in Syilx territory. Meanwhile, the University of Alberta has published a reflection on the “Treaty Six Territory Marker: Bear Spirit” sculpture that was created by Steinhauer and installed in 2016. The university noted that the sculpture has become a part of the North Campus’s image, a gathering point for Indigenous events, a de facto wayfinding tool, and a reminder of the university community’s commitment to work as Treaty peoples.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has announced that it has expanded its zero textbook cost (ZTC) initiative to offer more than 1,000 ZTC courses and 17 programs. The newest programs that students can complete without purchasing a textbook include the Certificate in Computer Aided Design and Drafting, Diploma in Fine Arts, English Minor, and Bachelor of Arts with a Major in History. “This idea first emerged nearly a decade ago through conversations among faculty. We have issues with the price of textbooks and we have all used additional readings to augment the textbooks anyway. It seemed logical to create something that would be more clearly bespoke for KPU students,” explained KPU history instructor Dr Robert Menzies.