October 7, 2026

The Mastercard Foundation has launched the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program with a 10-year, $130M investment. The program aims to help more than 1,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth strengthen their leadership skills. The Gabriel Dumont Institute and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies will serve as the first host organizations and will work with an inaugural group of 25 Fellows. Each Fellow will receive mentorship and coaching and up to $50K in funding to support their learning goals. Instead of following a standard course, they will identify the cultural learning, education, professional development, or other supports they need. According to Net News Ledger, the learnings from the first cohort will guide a national expansion with more Indigenous-led host organizations.

Schools across Canada marked the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day with special ceremonies and assemblies, statements, and learning resources. At many schools and school boards, students and staff designed and/or wore orange shirts in recognition of Orange Shirt Day. Students at schools such as Elk Point Elementary and St Mother Teresa Catholic Academy helped create displays to guide reflection and support learning about residential schools and Truth and Reconciliation. “I find my students today show that… you can learn something that is quite dark, but also see the hope in it and hold on to that hope and take that one step further by sharing it,” said Port Elgin Regional School Teacher Maria Beltz.

First Nations University of Canada and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies are both celebrating their 50th anniversaries this year. FNU recently held a gala with remarks from FNU President Jacqueline Ottman; performances from powwow dancers, jiggers, and musicians; and a special recognition of contributors to FNU’s history, such as Dr Alexander Blair Stonechild and Elder Sid Fiddler. SIIT has been using a special 50th year logo and branding. It arranged a special anniversary gala that will include a formal dinner, keynote remarks, cultural entertainment, and special tributes to those who have contributed to the institute’s legacy. SIIT President Riel Bellegarde emphasized the importance of Indigenous community leadership in the institution’s success and said that SIIT looks forward to preparing the next generation of Indigenous learners.

The Government of Ontario has passed an amendment to the Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs to broaden the definition of permitted institutions to include Indigenous institutes. The amendment was recommended by the Ontario College of Teachers’ Council. “Removing barriers from Indigenous Institutes to seek program accreditation supports Indigenous self-determination in postsecondary education and teacher preparation, and aligns with our responsibility to advance the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action within our mandate as Ontario’s teaching regulator,” said OCT Registrar and CEO Linda Lacroix.

The University College of the North has celebrated the grand opening of its Bachelor in Ininimowin Program. The program provides students with the opportunity to develop their proficiency in Cree while learning about local cultures, histories, and worldviews through language. Students are not expected to have any Indigenous language experience and can pursue the program at both of UCN’s campuses. They can complete a University Certificate in Ininimowin after one year, a university diploma after two years, or continue to a three-year bachelor’s degree. “Language is an important part of culture, identity and community,” said UCN President Doug Lauvstad. “The Bachelor in Ininimowin creates opportunities for students to strengthen their language skills while preparing for careers where Indigenous language knowledge is increasingly important. This program reflects UCN’s commitment to providing relevant, culturally grounded education in the North.” The institution also recently celebrated its first SSHRC Insight Grant, which was awarded to Dr Tariqul Islam and his research team.

Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) has launched Culture Camps to give Indigenous students a way to connect with traditional teachings and strengthen their cultural identity. The Culture Camps focus on topics such as Métis history, traditional crafts and games, and medicine wheel teachings and include hands-on learning opportunities alongside Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous teachers. “It all started because our students wanted more time with the Elders,” said WCPS Indigenous Education and Reconciliation Director Shelagh Hagemann. Maskwacis Cree Elder Josephine Small added that it has been a rewarding experience to share cultural teachings with students through these camps, and that she feels this format has reached more students than a classroom setting.

Several postsecondary institutions recently opened or unveiled Indigenous-focused spaces on campus. Cégep de Chicoutimi inaugurated a shaputuan that is located in its inner courtyard. The space will be focused on promoting dialogue and cultural sharing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members. Nipissing University unveiled a four-season outdoor classroom, which will support cultural programming and strengthen engagement with nature. Saint Paul University broke ground on the renewal of the Chantal Beauvais Courtyard. This space will integrate a healing garden attached to the Indigenous Centre with a natural outdoor amphitheatre.

The Dene National Assembly recently discussed several key issues and passed resolutions related to improving education for Dene communities. One resolution directs the Dene Nation to advocate for “dedicated, stable and multi-year education funding for schools in Dene communities,” with that money used for offerings such as Dene language instruction and immersion, cultural and land-based programming, and the recruitment and retention of qualified staff. The assembly also passed other resolutions, including to establish a Dene think tank to support research and policy, create legislation to protect Dene knowledge and data sovereignty, and advocate for funding for the Dene Cultural Institute. Several representatives from First Nations across the Northwest Territories spoke at the assembly to call for improvements such as hiring additional staff—including a child and youth manager, an academic coordinator, and/or qualified counsellors—to better support and advocate for students and efforts to address issues around student nutrition, student retention and graduation rates, and teacher retention.

Simon Fraser University recently published an article on a Sacred Burning teaching ceremony event. The article describes the steps taken in the ceremony and provides insights into the cultural and historical framework of Coastal and Interior Salish cleansing ceremonial practices. It concludes with several lessons taken from the teaching ceremony, such as the importance of acknowledging cross-cultural components between Indigenous cultures and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures and the fact that many Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, and faculty are interested in spiritual practice and ceremonies.

The Métis Nation of Ontario has purchased a child-care centre property in Sault Ste Marie and signed an agreement with the District of Sault Ste Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB). SooToday reports that MNO will renovate and update the space with the goal of reopening the centre as a childcare centre that is part of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system. The renovated centre will offer licensed childcare, Indigenous-focused programming, and culturally grounded learning opportunities. “This centre will help ensure the next generation of Métis children have the supports they need to thrive, while staying connected to the community, culture, and people who help shape who they are,” said MNO Provincial Secretary of Education Mitch Case. The agreement with DSSAB formalizes the two parties’ collaboration to develop licensed childcare programs that support Métis children and families.