July 15, 2026

A recent report prepared for the Government of Yukon has called for a reform of the territory’s education department. The independent panel that produced the report found a variety of issues across four main areas: norms and culture within the department; relationships and communication between the department and schools; organizational structures in the department; and accountability. The First Nation School Board and the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate spoke to APTN News about how they hope a new report will lead to positive change. “It’s really affirming, what we heard from the review,” said FNSB Executive Director Melissa Flynn. “I think across the Yukon […] the challenges had been very similar, and I think there is a lot of people that are thrilled to see the recommendations that this review panel put forward.” YFNED Executive Director Melanie Bennett pointed to the report’s recommendations around making education more inclusive, stating that these “are actually actionable, quick-moving things that can be done to really bring out the voice of the Indigenous children.” The panel is expected to complete its final review and release its final report in December.

Comox Valley Schools (SD 71) has completed its first equity scan of Indigenous students, staff, families, and communities, and has released the findings in its Equity in Action report. This report includes a summary of students’ equity concerns, inequitable experiences, and outcomes; an explanation of the district’s response gaps and their underlying causes; and the seven action priorities that have been proposed to close the response gaps. The study involved surveys, interviews, and meetings with key contacts such as students, school staff, board-level centralized staff, and local community members. The report outlines several key findings from the study, including issues around trust, bias and racism exposure, and an over-reliance on Indigenous Support Workers. While the study concluded with several priorities for the board to act on, the author noted that one in particular was crucial to the success of all others: Building an accountability mechanism that would apply evenly and systematically across the entire district.

Castanet reports that Thompson Rivers University Chancellor DeDe DeRose has re-initiated a nationwide Indigenous university chancellors working group. The group—co-chaired by DeRose and University of the Fraser Valley Chancellor Jo-Anne Archibald—is primarily focused on addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous learners and celebrating their successes. Other topics of interest include residential school denialism and Indigenous identity fraud. “We all agreed that we didn’t want this to just be a negative conversation, but to talk about some of the highlights that are going on and share some of those with each other, so we said that when we meet we will talk about the challenges and also the good things that are going on in campuses,” said DeRose.

Mînî Thnî Community School in the Îyârhe Nakoda Nation has announced a new partnership with the Calgary Alternative Athletic Association to create new opportunities for student athletes. Previously, there was a gap in the competitive athletics opportunities for students at the school between Grades 7 and 9, which slowed athletic development and limited student exposure to organized competition. The CAAA partnership will bring new opportunities for student athletes, create a more structured pathway from elementary to high school sports, and strengthen connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Beyond athletics, the initiative is also expected to increase student engagement and community involvement, such as by having families come out to events to support students and strengthen school spirit. “These kids now have a full pipeline of athletic development from elementary school all the way through into high school,” explained Stoney Education Authority Director of Diversified Learning Joey McKillop.

Brock University has announced that its Indigenous co-curricular program has been renamed “Ode’min Wigwam,” an Anishinaabemowin name that translates to Strawberry Lodge in English. “The strawberry’s seeds are on the outside, which means its most vulnerable part is shown to the world. Because of this, the seeds spread easily so future plants can grow,” explained Brock Program Consultant Michelle Root. “In the same way, we hope students in our program will continue learning and sharing their knowledge to help future generations.” The name was given as a sacred gift by Elder Peter Beaucage through a traditional Naming Ceremony on the university’s campus.

Caldwell First Nation (CFN) has signed agreements with Fanshawe College and the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) to support education for its members. GECDSB and Fanshawe will help band members to complete their high school and postsecondary education, respectively. Through CFN’s office in Leamington, adult learners will be able to begin the process of enrolling at GECDSB’s adult education locations or at the college. CFN Chief Nikki van Oirschot explained that the initiative has already seen strong demand. “Education is a powerful tool for strengthening our Nation and creating opportunities for future generations,” concluded van Oirschot.

A man has been charged after a break-in and suspicious fire at Onion Lake Cree Nation’s Sakāskohc High School. Onion Lake Cree Nation Peacekeepers and Saskatchewan RCMP officers responded to a break-and-enter report at the school on June 27. During their search, the RCMP stated that they determined that there was a fire in the building. “The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire,” stated the RCMP. “Investigation determined the fire was suspicious in nature.” 650 CKOM reports that the fire affected several areas of the school, including the gymnasium and running track, and that laptops in the computer lab were damaged. The 22-year-old man has been charged with arson causing damage to property, mischief over $5,000, theft over $5,000, and breaking and entering to commit an offence.

The Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC) recently shared its approved balanced operating budget for the 2026–27 school year, which includes new investments in Indigenous education. In particular, the school board has announced that it will continue to have Indigenous Graduation Coaches for Grades 7–12 and an elementary Special Assignment Teacher in Indigenous education who will support the integration of Indigenous perspectives and culture throughout the curriculum. The school board has also partnered with Canadore College’s Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin program to create dual credit opportunities for secondary students and expand access to culturally rooted experiential learning opportunities with ceremony, Elders, language, and Indigenous mentors.

The Nunavut Arctic College and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association have collaborated on the first programs that will be offered at the Research Training Centre in Pond Inlet. Starting in September, NAC will offer three programs in Pond Inlet: the Personal Support Worker Program, the Interpreter/Translator (year 1) program, and the fur production and design (year 1) program. “Education and training are essential to building a sustainable economy for Nunavut,” said QIA President Olayuk Akesuk. “By working together in partnership, we can create more opportunities for Inuit and help bring positive change to our communities. This is just the beginning.”

An Indigenous skilled trades program has helped to reduce student absenteeism and raise awareness of careers in the skilled trades, while supporting local First Nation communities. The tiny homes program is operated through a partnership involving Lakehead Public Schools, Superior-Greenstone District School Board, and Indigenous community organizations. In it, students design and build fully functional small homes as part of their high school education. The program exposes students to careers in the skilled trades, helps them connect their work to meaningful outcomes in their communities, and gives them the opportunity to attain certifications and credentials while in high school. The organizers told Northern Ontario Business that the program has reduced absenteeism among some students, and that they hope to bring back program graduates as mentors for new students.