December 3, 2025

Kenjgewin Teg has announced the official launch of the Waawaaskonenh Foundation, which will support Indigenous education through scholarships, bursaries, and programs. The foundation is chaired by Anna Marie Abitong, while Dawn Madahbee Leach will be the inaugural E’gaanjidaget (“one who leads or guides the way forward”). “This is an incredible time for Kenjgewin Teg to begin thinking of new possibilities and bringing to the forefront many ideas we’ve been waiting to do; with the support of the Waawaaskonenh Foundation, many of these ideas will become closer to reality,” said Kenjgewin Teg President Beverley Roy. “It’s time for us to dream even bigger!”

The University of Victoria’s Faculty of Law has launched a new research initiative focused on helping Indigenous communities renew and rebuild their legal systems, with the support of a $10M investment from the Law Foundation of BC. The Next Steps: Rebuilding Indigenous Law initiative will help Indigenous communities rebuild their legal orders and revitalize and apply their own legal traditions to respond to today’s realities. The university states that this process will serve as a model of Indigenous self-determination that could inspire other initiatives around the world. “What we’re doing is making visible and cognizable Indigenous ways of Indigenous legal thought, Indigenous legal processes and ways that people hold each other accountable, and ways that we can take care of one another,” said UVic Next Steps project lead Val Napoleon.

Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, a First Nation in Manitoba, has officially taken over The Link: Youth and Family Supports, a non-profit youth services agency that provides shelter services, therapy programming, skills development supports, and other resources. Brokenhead stated that this transition will strengthen The Link by grounding its services in First Nations culture, values, and traditions. “It’s very hard for us to provide services for off-reserve community members,” explained Brokenhead Chief Gordon Bluesky. “But now that we have an organization like this that’s already set up to support youth, to support families across Winnipeg… This is just another resource for our people, and for sure, my community members to come and start taking advantage of.” The Winnipeg Free Press reports that this is the first time in the province that an organization such as The Link has been repatriated to a First Nation.

Communities in the Northwest Territories are feeling the impact of the 2017 suspension of the territory’s only teacher training program, according to a recent article from CBC. Joni Tsatchia—one of the last graduates of the program at Aurora College—told CBC that the program allowed her to train and work in her own community. “I wasn’t too far to travel back [home] during the holidays. And the majority of my instructors were Indigenous,” she said. South Slave Divisional Education Council Superintendent Souhail Soujah shared that a recent survey found that Indigenous staff generally felt that representation among the teaching staff was “severely lacking.” He explained that the return of a teacher education program based in the North would be “extremely helpful” in addressing this. NWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment spokesperson Agata Gutkowska told CBC that the number of self-identified northern Indigenous educators holding valid NWT teaching certificates has increased since 2024, though she noted that this is based on self-identification reports.

The University of Northern British Columbia recently held a ceremony to honour the late Lheidli T’enneh Elder Edith (Edie) Frederick—who was UNBC’s first Elder in Residence—by renaming its First Nations Centre Research Studio. The studio is now named the Edie Frederick Indigenous Research Studio and bears a portrait of and plaque about Frederick. The plaque outlines her contributions to the university, which included advancing Indigenization across the institution’s campus and supporting students, faculty, and staff in learning Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of being. “It is so special to see this space named in honour of my mother,” said Jason Frederick, speaking on behalf of the Frederick family. “She cared deeply about sharing language, stories and traditional skills so others could learn them. This studio will continue that spirit of connection, learning and cultural exchange.”

The Government of Alberta has announced a nearly $4.5M investment that will be distributed in the form of grants that can be used to create new dual credit programs or enhance existing programming with upgrades. The grant will support the province’s schools in offering programs in a variety of areas—including welding, hairstyling, and education assistant training—for students in grades 10 to 12. The federal First Nations receiving funds for new dual credit programs include the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation (Alexis Band), the G4 Stoney Nakoda Tsuut’ina Tribal Council, and the Sunchild First Nation Band; the Alexis Band has also received a grant to enhance its equipment or facilities. “Dual credit courses help high school students explore jobs and get a head start – whether it is in the trades, postsecondary or pursuing their passion,” said AB Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides.

The Semiahmoo First Nation (SFN) and Surrey School District’s Xw’epiteng Elementary school community recently came together for a cedar tree planting ceremony that marked the start of the next chapter in the school’s land-based learning journey. Throughout 2025, the school has transformed its curriculum with ceremony, teachings, hands-on experiences, and a growing outdoor land-based learning program. The planting of the cedar was intentionally done in an unhurried manner that was aligned to the seasons, readiness, and relationships, explains Surrey Schools. “That tree is in the soil and connecting to everything,” explained SFN member Roxanne Charles. “It’s going to provide a lot of medicine to the space. When we complete the work, the ancestors are happy, the work flows more safely and smoothly.” In the future, the school staff and students hope to rewild the area around the cedar tree with native plants as part of the broader effort to care for the community.

The University of New Brunswick and the University of Saskatchewan have each celebrated the launch and recognition of new programs. The UNB McKenna Institute, the Joint Economic Development Initiative, and Thales partnered on the delivery of a new 12-week program to support Indigenous people interested in cybersecurity careers. The program offered immersive, hands-on experiences where students could develop, test, and refine cybersecurity tools. Meanwhile, USask’s Prince Albert campus is offering the Kanawayihetaytan Askiy Certificate in order to provide local students with a way to develop a foundation in scientific and traditional knowledge without having to travel. “Students who live in and near Prince Albert have their support systems nearby and the community benefits with graduates skilled in Indigenous land and resources management,” explained USask AgBio Strategic Senior Officer Jordie Gagnon.

Red River College Polytechnic officially unveiled its new Indigenous visual identity at its Fall convocation ceremonies. The institution’s new Indigenous visual identity, as well as the new stoles worn by Indigenous graduates at a recent convocation, were reportedly developed through extensive conversations with members of RRC Polytech’s community. “The design on these stoles is rooted in sacredness, seasonality and interconnectedness, honouring the distinct identities of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples while weaving together themes of land, language and story into a living expression of who we are,” said RRC Director, Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Carla Kematch.

Several institutions have recently unveiled new murals and art pieces that were designed by or involved Indigenous artists. Algonquin College brought together a group of Indigenous speakers for a multigenerational climate dialogue that inspired a group of art students to create murals and alternate reality activations. First Nations University revealed its student-designed art installation—composed of visual art, poetry, music, and dance—that depicts the university’s history, cultural legacy, and aspirations for future generations. Portage College showcased the work of students in the Indigenous Art and Fine Arts programs as part of a special Art for Health month event.