Indigenous Education Council Capacity Funding Interim Policy

Date came into force or revised

September 3, 2026

Status

Current

Policy statement

Indigenous Education Council (IEC) Capacity Funding is a targeted grant under section 106.4 of the School Act and must be used in accordance with the spending criteria outlined in this policy. IEC Capacity Funding can be used to cover costs associated with establishing and maintaining IECs, including secretariat support, activities, and costs related to IECs carrying out their purpose as per the School Act, IEC Ministerial Order, and IEC Policy. IECs must be involved in the planning, spending and reporting of IEC Capacity Funding.

Rationale or purpose of policy

Each board of education is required to establish and maintain an Indigenous education council (IEC) to support the board to provide comprehensive and equitable education and support services for Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) students and improve Indigenous student outcomes (e.g. attendance). 

Legislative changes for IECs came into effect in 2024 and funding has been provided for the 2024/25-2026/27 school years as a time-limited grant for the initiation of IECs. The Ministry of Education and Child Care will be reviewing IEC Capacity Funding reporting from boards of education to better understand the cost of operating IECs. 

Authority

Section 106.3 of the School Act describes how the operating grant to boards is calculated. Sections 106.4 and 117(1)(f) of the Act provide the legal authority for targeted grants.

School Act sections 87.001, 87.002, 166.4 (2.1), set out requirements for IECs. Section 87.002 describes that the IEC will approve the board’s plan and spending for the grant and the board’s report if any.

Policy in full

Maintaining an IEC means that the school district provides administrative support and pays for activities and expenses related to the IEC in alignment with the School Act, Indigenous Education Council Ministerial Order, and Indigenous Education Council Policy. IEC Capacity Funding enables an IEC to meet regularly to advocate for the needs of Indigenous students within their respective school districts.  This policy is meant to provide IECs and school districts with guidelines for the appropriate use of IEC Capacity Funding.

For information on each board of education’s allocation and allocation calculation see the Operating Grants Table 14.

IEC Capacity Funding Spending Criteria

Subject to the approval of the IEC, the following are examples of eligible expenditures of IEC Capacity Funding:

• Capacity Building
  • Funding for capacity building is not intended for school district staff involved in the IEC.
  • Funds can be used for professional development for members of the IEC.
  • Professional development must be focused on building knowledge and understanding for the IEC to carry out their duties.
  • Capacity building may include assisting members of the IEC to attend the annual IEC provincial gathering or regional gatherings planned by the respective IECs.
• IEC Secretariat
  • Each school district will work with the IEC to identify an individual to act as secretariat to the IEC.
  • The IEC secretariat may be a district staff person or may be contracted by the board of education, with the support of the IEC.
  • Functions of the secretariat may include coordination and support of meetings and setting agenda topics as identified by the IEC (e.g., Indigenous Education Targeted Funding and IEC Capacity Funding Annual Report, Feeding Futures, Framework for Enhancing Student Learning, etc.), membership tracking, and providing information to the IEC.
  • The IEC will work collaboratively with and provide direction to the secretariat to liaise with the district on specific topics including the planning, spending, and reporting of IETF and other grants supporting Indigenous students.
  • The IEC will develop administrative processes with the secretariat associated with IEC business such as member travel, meeting costs, room costs, food and beverages, and stipends or honoraria for members or guests.
• Administration/Other
  • Funds can be used to cover travel costs for members of the IEC to participate in IEC meetings or other engagements hosted by the IEC.
  • Funds can be used to cover IEC meeting costs (e.g., space, catering and equipment).
  • Funds can be used for stipends or honoraria for members of the IEC related to their participation on the IEC. Honoraria may also be used to support invited guests (e.g., Elders) participating in IEC meetings.

Approval of Targeted Funding

IEC Capacity Funding is targeted funding. Pursuant to s. 87.002 of the School Act, a board requires the IEC’s approval of the board’s plans, spending, and reporting of any targeted grant provided under s. 106.4 that is related to Indigenous students. The IEC will follow its decision-making process in approving such plans and reporting.

IEC Capacity Funding Underspend

Any IEC Capacity Funding that was not spent in previous school years must be used in accordance with the School Act, IEC Ministerial Order and this policy. Any underspent funding must be considered when planning how IEC Capacity Funding will be used in the future.

IEC Capacity Funding Reporting

School districts must report to the ministry on the spending of IEC Capacity Funding through the Indigenous Education Financial Report at the end of September each year. IECs must be involved in and sign-off on the reporting of IEC Capacity Funding.