May 20, 2026

In British Columbia, School District 8 is changing the staffing model for its Indigenous education system this September. For the 2026–27 academic year, elementary schools and a middle school in the district will introduce Indigenous support workers and assign teachers currently holding dedicated Aboriginal Academic Success Support (AAAS) teacher positions to regular teaching positions. CBC reports that the roles differ in their nature: AAAS teachers work in teaching roles related to programming and instruction, while the support workers offer relationship-based support in areas such as cultural learning, identity, and family communication. The revision was recommended by the SD 8 Indigenous Education Council, which includes representatives from local First Nations and the West Kootenay Métis Society. The change has drawn opposition from parents, teachers, union representatives, and other members of the community who are concerned about the loss of teachers who have built up trust with the community, the loss of special activities led by teachers, and the potential for gaps in support. An online petition opposing the change has also garnered more than 600 signatures.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has announced that it is investing $30M to support students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 after a comprehensive review. The Inclusive Schooling Review found that student needs are becoming more complex while federal funding—including that provided through the Inuit Child First Initiative and Jordan’s Principle—has not been stable or predictable. The review outlined 11 recommendations, all of which have been accepted by NWT. Among the changes, NWT will be implementing stabilized student supports such as funding for support assistants and program support teachers, early elementary screening to identify developmental and learning vulnerabilities sooner, and clearer information and protocols for families and schools.

Several postsecondary institutions across Canada recognized Red Dress Day with special awareness events, ceremonies, and marches. Institutions such as the College of New Caledonia, Conrad Grebel University College, and Mount Royal University hosted art exhibits and hung red dresses and red prayer markers outside to raise awareness of the day. Brandon University, Laurie Middle School, Medicine Hat College, Mount Saint Vincent University, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Surrey Schools, and the University of Waterloo were among those that hosted events such as memorial gatherings, rallies, talks, and drop-in spaces to honour and remember those who are missing or were murdered. Teachers in the Surrey Schools district (SD 36) shared informative slide decks and hosted age-appropriate discussions about the day.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) has called on Indigenous Services Canada to provide the necessary funding to support emergency safety upgrades at Lake Manitoba School on Lake Manitoba First Nation. The school is more than 50 years old and has safety issues and challenges such as overcrowding, broken hardware, and doors that are not up to fire code. The school serves 321 children and is set to be closed at the end of June if it does not receive funding to complete the necessary safety upgrades. “Our children deserve more than temporary fixes and political excuses,” stated AMC. “They deserve safety, dignity, and the opportunity to learn in environments that reflect their worth and the promises made under Treaty.”

Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig has officially joined eCampusOntario. With this addition, eCampusOntario states that it now includes all of the province’s 58 publicly supported postsecondary institutions. “This membership enhances our ability to integrate digital learning with Anishinaabe ways of knowing, expand access to open educational resources, and strengthen pathways for our learners,” said SKG President Mary Wabano-McKay. “We look forward to contributing to and learning from a community dedicated to shaping a more accessible, responsive, and future-focused postsecondary system.”

Wolf Creek Public Schools has launched a new mobile welding program to connect Indigenous students to the skilled trades. A mobile welding lab will be used by the program for on-site instruction and mentorship. The lab was celebrated at an event that began with an opening prayer, smudging, and words of encouragement from Elders. “We have very few Indigenous students in welding and in the [Registered Apprenticeship Program] across our division,” said WCPS Director of Indigenous Education and Reconciliation Shelagh Hagemann. “We want to bring about this opportunity because we want to encourage students to get involved in the trades.” The program is supported by Metrax Indigenous Corporation, which has an agreement with the school district to provide Indigenous students with more opportunities to study in the skilled trades.

Thompson Rivers University has partnered with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, formalizing their relationship through the Knucwetwécw Agreement, titled Me7 Elkstwécw-kt (We will work together). This agreement replaces earlier agreements between the two. It outlines shared commitments related to education, language, research, and Indigenous-led priorities, and sets expectations around culturally safe practices and ethical research. “As set out in Envision TRU, our strategic direction, we are committed to giving exceptional consideration to Secwépemc world views, and the Knucwetwécw Agreement reflects that commitment through how we work together in education, research, and community life,” said TRU President Dr Airini.

A report on policing in Nunavik released by the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) includes a call for Inuit-led police training. KRG produced the report following a 2015 audit of the Nunavik Police Service, which found that the police service faces challenges such as officer burnout, language and cultural barriers, and growing mistrust. It also identified barriers to training and hiring Inuit officers. Among the changes, the report calls for the creation of an Inuit-led police training facility and changes to Quebec’s Police Act to better facilitate the training and hiring of Inuit officers. For non-Inuit officers, the report also outlines recommendations for mandatory cultural and crisis-intervention training.

Several schools across Canada marked Moose Hide Campaign Day on May 14 with special events and statements. The Moose Hide Campaign is an Indigenous-led national movement focused on ending gender-based violence and advancing reconciliation. Assiniboine College was recognized as an ambassador school by campaign representatives and honoured with a commemorative flag and plaque. Several schools handed out moose hide pins, and Portage Collegiate Institute students hosted a fundraiser for a local women’s shelter in honour of the day. Institutions such as Confederation College, Lakehead University, and Red River College Polytechnic hosted special rallies and walks to help raise awareness of the movement. “When we come together, it’s a very powerful statement about our collective commitment to fight violence against Indigenous women and young people, and it’s very important to me that the university be part of that work,” said Lakehead President Gillian Siddall.

About 200 Indigenous high school students from the Edmonton Catholic School Division have designed and made ribbon skirts for their graduation ceremony. CTV News reports that students in the division’s Braided Journeys program learned the sewing process from start to finish, enabling them to make custom ribbon skirts and shirts. The materials were sourced from Indigenous businesses and funded by a grant. “Our ancestors never really got the education that they deserved or the freedom that they deserved, so I feel it’s very important … that we get to walk the stage and honour ancestors that couldn’t,” said Archbishop O’Leary Catholic High School student Akasha Cardinal.