January 15, 2025

Healing of the Seven Generations is opening the Region of Waterloo’s first Indigenous-led, Indigenous-focused childcare centre this year. The Ga’nigǫhi:yo Indigenous Child Care and Family Centre will have space for up to 65 children under the age of five, with spots prioritized for Indigenous children. The centre will include holistic and accessible programming, nutritious meals, and the opportunity to reconnect with their Indigenous roots. An Elder and a cultural co-ordinator will help staff with teachings and language. Healing of the Seven Generations Executive Director Donna Dubie described the centre as “an act of reclamation and resurgence, a way to restore what was stolen through residential schools and colonization.” CBC reports that the centre has also partnered with Six Nations Polytechnic. As part of this partnership, the centre will host the SNP Early Childhood Education program’s Indigenous training course. Ga’nigǫhi:yo Director Renata Richards said that she hopes some of the SNP students will become staff upon graduation.

The new Cree bilingual school in Saskatoon has unveiled its name: awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik St Francis School. A committee for the new school received more than 100 names and narrowed it down to six names for careful consideration. “awâsisak refers to the children and the youth, and kâ-nîmîhtocik refers to the northern lights,” explained Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Superintendent of Education Kelley Cardinal. “All together, awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik refers to the children who dance or the children that dance.” Battlefords Now reports that the name was selected to reflect the nurturing of children’s spirits, their connections to their ancestors, and their future journey. The school—which is currently under construction and is slated to open in Fall 2025—will also feature artwork by local Indigenous artists on its exterior.

Indigenous students can be empowered to achieve success through a strengthened “circle of support,” assert Amanda Street (Nicola Valley Institute of Technology) and Tessa Quewezance. Street and Quewezance write that Indigenous learners face unique barriers that can be addressed by a “circle of support” comprised of individuals such as Elders, family members, friends, colleagues, or past educators. They argue that this circle is key to offering individualized community-based assessments so that students can begin the journey to further learning. The authors maintain that postsecondary institutions need to strengthen this circle by meeting learners where they are at, such as by bringing programming into remote communities. “We challenge other postsecondary institutions to look beyond on-campus learner support and engagement and to collaborate with Indigenous communities and their supporters to offer more holistic opportunities for Indigenous learners,” write Street and Quewezance.

The University of Winnipeg Indigenous Identity Working Group has released the “What We Heard Report,” which discusses Indigenous identity fraud. The report outlines key findings and recommendations to guide UWinnipeg’s policy and procedures development, ensuring that opportunities intended for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples go to the appropriate individuals. The recommendations include emphasizing transparency while protecting privacy and confidentiality; adopting a comprehensive and flexible approach; and creating inclusive, non-discriminatory policies and procedures with clear consequences for fraudulent claims. “We understand that claiming an Indigenous community is only part of the consideration–that community must claim you back,” said UWinnipeg AVP, Indigenous Engagement and working group Co-Chair Dr Chantal Fiola.

Alberta School Boards Association President Marilyn Dennis has written an open letter to the Government of Canada, urging it to address the federal funding delays of Jordan’s Principle applications. In the context of the school system, Dennis explains that Jordan’s Principle highlights the board’s responsibility to advocate for and provide equitable services and supports for First Nations students. However, the federal government’s ongoing delays in processing Jordan’s Principle applications are creating a funding gap and disrupting education. “I urge the federal government to treat this issue with urgency and expedite the application review process to guarantee that critical support reaches the students who need it–without further interruption,” concludes Dennis. City News and CTV News report that other organizations such as the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs have also called on the federal government to address the backlog.

Schools and community organizations across Canada celebrated National Ribbon Skirt Day earlier this month. The day was first officially celebrated in 2023 to honour a Grade 5 student from the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan who was shamed for wearing a ribbon skirt to school in 2020. Schools such as Horton High School, Oyama Traditional School, and Portage College issued statements about the significance of the day and encouraged staff and students to wear their ribbon skirts with pride. The non-profit organization Growing Young Movers spoke to CKOM about its ongoing work to create a ribbon skirt library, where students from the nearby Scott Collegiate High School will be able to borrow garments when they need them.

Red River College Polytechnic has brought its mobile classroom and carpentry program to the Peguis First Nation to help teach community members how to build and rebuild their community. CBC reports that the community has faced recurring flooding issues in the past, forcing many members of the community to evacuate their homes. “[The community needs] local carpenters, they need local plumbers, they need local welders, instead of going outside the reserve and hiring somebody that can do it,” explained RRC Polytech student Brandon Paul, who has just moved back to Peguis First Nation. RRC Polytech has brought a mobile classroom to the region that can expand into a 900 square-foot training space for teaching electrical, welding, carpentry, and other skillsets. “Coming here into the community, bringing the training to them, will allow them to have all the supports they require to be more successful,” said RRC Polytech Instructor Brett Sharp.

Several local First Nations and other community members have spoken out against the Greater Victoria School Board’s (GVSB) decision to end its police-liaison officer program in 2023. GVSB justified the decision by asserting that a police presence could cause discomfort for Black and Indigenous students. The decision has been opposed by local First Nations such as the Songhees Nation and Esquitmal Nation, who wrote a letter to BC Education Minister Lisa Beare to voice their “grave concerns regarding governance missteps and lack of meaningful consultation” around the decision. Local police, organizations, and parents have also spoken out against the decision, as has BC MLA Lynne Block, who called on Beare to replace the board with a trustee. CHEK reports that the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association and Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils have voiced opposition to Block’s comments. The BC Ministry of Education is now reviewing the alternative safety plans produced by GVSB.

At the University of Manitoba, Indigenous Librarian Intern Claire Settee has organized an Indigenous Reading Circle. The reading circle gives Indigenous students the opportunity to discuss their personal and academic readings in a small group setting. Settee will facilitate the group’s discussions and provide information on library and campus resources when applicable. “Sometimes in classes, everyone is trying to discuss at once and then you’ll have an idea, but the discussion goes a different way, and you don’t get the chance to say your thoughts. But you still want to talk through your ideas with someone,” said Settee. “I want people to know that they have something to say, and they should practice speaking up and sharing their ideas and questions.”

Indspire has recently received funding and established partnerships that will enable the organization to support more Indigenous students. Indspire was one of the organizations selected to receive funding through a $30M giving initiative by Dollarama and the Rossy Foundation. Dollarama employees helped select the organizations through a vote: Indspire was selected for its impact on Indigenous education and community development. “This is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared values,” said Indspire President Mike DeGagné. “This funding will have a ripple effect for generations, fostering empowerment, resilience, and opportunity for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students across the country.” Indspire and MDA Space also co-launched a new scholarship program to support Indigenous students enrolled in STEM-related programs. DeGagné called the new program an investment “not just in the future of the space industry and in STEM education, but also in the power of Indigenous abilities.”