December 17, 2025

A group of students studying journalism at Cégep de Jonquière have written an article for Le Quotidian about how Québec’s education systems are adapting their teaching methods to Indigenous cultures and youth. The article highlights how non-Indigenous education centres like early childhood centre Auetissatsh, Cégep de Jonquière, and Université Laval have introduced cultural activities and adapted their curriculum. Cégep de Jonquière cultural advisor Kate Bacon explained that the goal of decolonization efforts is not to remove Western knowledge altogether, but to work towards a co-existence of multiple forms of knowledge. The authors also highlighted the work at the Kiuna Institute—created by the First Nations Education Council—to create an education experience that includes Indigenous-informed teaching methods and pedagogy, plentiful cultural activities, and dedicated student and student family supports. Kiuna educational advisor Jean-François Beaudet explained that the cégep draws on a traditional approach, while also preparing students for their future studies and/or the job market.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has announced that it will provide alternate water sources for staff and schools in the territory following testing that discovered elevated lead levels at Mildred Hall School. Mildred Hall, located in Yellowknife, is reportedly the fifth school in the territory with unsafe lead levels. Other schools that have had high levels of lead found in the drinking water this year include École William McDonald, Kaw Tay Whee School, NJ Macpherson School, and Range Lake North School. “We cannot wait for the full testing schedule to finish before taking further protective steps,” said NWT Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland. “The health and safety of students and staff must come first.” Cleveland also noted that the territory targeted higher-risk schools first with its testing this year, and so it anticipated more findings of note earlier in the process.

Kenjgewin Teg is now officially able to offer Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) testing. The credential—designed to replace the GED high school equivalency program—consists of testing in five subject areas: mathematics, reading, writing, science, and social studies. “Being a test site for the CAEC is our first step in supporting access to expanding learning; going forward, based on the actual usage and demand for the CAEC by learners in the upcoming year, Kenjgewin Teg may consider expanding its role in this new credential, in addition to being a test location,” said Kenjgewin Teg President Beverley Roy. “In prior years, as one of several pathways to post-secondary education, Kenjgewin Teg supported students interested in attaining the GED credential, and we will assess if a similar need exists for the CAEC.”

Two developments about Aurora College have appeared in the news recently. The college recently announced that it would be offering a new general studies program that will give students a head start on their university journey without needing to leave the NWT. Students will be able to earn up to 60 credits for comprehensive undergraduate-level courses in a variety of areas of study, which can then be used to enter one of Aurora’s forthcoming bachelors programs or transferred to another program or institution. Meanwhile, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce has urged the Government of the Northwest Territories to move quickly on a proposal to house the college’s new campus in the city’s Centre Square Mall. The chamber says that housing the campus in Yellowknife’s centre would both serve to revitalize the city’s downtown, while costing a fraction of the funds that would have been required to build a campus on Tin Can Hill. The proposal has reportedly been before NWT for over 12 months.

Comox Valley Schools (SD71) has announced its new registration dates and program offerings for the 2026/27 school year, which includes a new K/1 Indigenous Kindergarten at Aspen Park Elementary. The Indigenous K/1 program—which is already offered at SD71’s École Puntledge Park—follows the British Columbia curriculum while drawing on Indigenous teachings. The program seeks to encourage a sense of connectedness to the land and environment while also fostering a sense of pride in students’ cultures. Entry into the program will be determined by lottery rather than a first come, first served basis, with Indigenous students receiving priority if they submit an expression of interest before January 16.

Six Nations Polytechnic has announced the launch of an Integrated Employment Service at its new SNP Career Centre to support jobseekers, learners, and community members. Delivered in partnership with Employment Ontario and Fedcap Canada, the service will offer coordinated wrap-around supports, such as employment counselling, training pathways, and engagement with local employers. “The new SNP Career Centre and Integrated Employment Service will ensure that both Indigenous and non-Indigenous jobseekers have access to high-quality guidance, training options, and employer connections,” said SNP Dean of Community, Health, Trades and Apprenticeship Amy Gleiser.

The University of Winnipeg has reinstated its Indigenous Community Advisory Circle, which ensures local Indigenous community members can inform important matters at the university. The university previously had an Indigenous advisory circle that formed in 2011 as part of the development of the UWinnipeg Masters of Development Practice; the circle then expanded its focus to hold an institution-wide mandate for several years, and then was concluded in 2022. The reinstated ICAC will be responsible for providing vision, leadership, guidance, oversight, and accountability on a variety of community-related issues; this will ensure that processes, programs, and initiatives are guided by Indigenous peoples and reflective of a commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous excellence. “The ICAC presents a significant opportunity for UWinnipeg to better understand the critical importance of building and maintaining meaningful relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, and of accountability to Indigenous community,” said UWinnipeg AVP Indigenous Engagement Dr Chantal Fiola.

Laurentian University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig have formalized their partnership with an agreement affirming the institutions’ shared commitment to Indigenous-led education, reconciliation, and the revitalization of Anishinaabe Knowledge. The partners have committed to co-creating educational opportunities, supporting student success, and upholding Indigenous sovereignty. SKG adds that one of the key aspects of the partnership is ongoing collaboration on the Preservation Project related to the Huron-Robinson Treaty settlement. “I am pleased to announce the signing of this agreement with Laurentian University, marking a significant step forward in advancing Anishinaabe education and supporting the mandate of the Anishinaabek Chiefs,” said SKG President Mary Wabano-McKay. “Together, we are committed to making these important historical documents from this landmark court case accessible to all. This work preserves invaluable oral histories—sacred knowledge that must never be lost or forgotten.”

A group of partners including Holland College, Abegweit First Nation, and the University of Prince Edward Island are creating the John and Christine Andrew Centre of Excellence in Watershed Management. The centre will be used to study the province’s water system and the potential effects of changes to it over time. Located on land gifted to the college by the Andrew family, the centre and surrounding property are being renovated to create offices, housing for visiting researchers and labs, and more. The centre will seek to fulfill a variety of objectives, including supporting student learning and enabling more research of PEI’s water system. The centre will pursue its objectives through a First Nations lens.

An academic summit hosted by Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin (RHW) in Sault Ste Marie has drawn controversy after members of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) alleged that the summit amounted to an attack on their history. RHW described the two-day conference, titled “The (Un)Making of Métis Claims in Ontario,” as an event bringing together scholars and historians to “critically examine the historical, political, and legal foundations of the MNO.” MNO member Kim Powley wrote a letter describing the conference as a “hate rally” that constituted “a direct attack on who we are as Métis people, and on my family’s integrity and legacy.” Speaking on behalf of RHW, Anishinabek Nation Lake Huron Regional Chief Scott McLeod refuted these claims and asserted that the organization was “hoping to foster dialogue grounded in truth and respect.” City News reports that a growing body of research commissioned by First Nations calls into question the existence of historical Métis communities in their territories; MNO has reportedly dismissed the research as “politically motivated” and has issued a statement on rising anti-Métis rhetoric and misinformation.