Indigenous-Focused Graduation Requirement
Last updated on July 12, 2024Effective the 2023/24 school year, all students working toward a B.C. Certificate of Graduation (“Dogwood Diploma”), in English or French, must successfully complete at least 4 credits in Indigenous-focused coursework. This requirement applies to students in B.C. public, independent, First Nations, and offshore schools. There is no change to the total number of credits required to graduate, which remains at 80.
Students who have not otherwise satisfied graduation requirements before the start of the 2023/24 school year must meet this requirement.
This requirement does not apply to students in the Adult Graduation Diploma Program.
Students can meet this graduation requirement through a variety of course options, including provincial Indigenous-focused courses; provincially-authorized First Nations language courses; Indigenous-focused, locally developed (Board/Authority Authorized or First Nation Authorized) courses; and First Nations Language and Culture External Credentials. Some of these courses also satisfy Language Arts or Social Studies graduation requirements. See the Recognized Course List drop-down below for a complete list of courses that meet the Indigenous-focused graduation requirement.
This video, co-developed by the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the First Nations Education Steering Committee, celebrates the significance of implementing an Indigenous-focused graduation requirement in B.C.’s K-12 education system. Students, teachers, First Nations leadership, education partners, and government leaders share their perspective on this important change and how it will benefit all British Columbians.
The video complements the implementation supports linked below and will be of value to students, parents, schools, and school districts.
Resources for Students and Parents
Resources for Schools and School Districts
- Indigenous-focused Graduation Requirement Implementation Handbook (3.8MB, PDF) (Français)
- Indigenous-focused Graduation Requirement - PowerPoint (3.3MB, PPTX) (Français)
- Indigenous-focused Graduation Requirement Information Sheet (PDF) (Français)
- Indigenous-focused Graduation Requirement - Q&A (PDF) (Français)
- Indigenous-focused Graduation Parent Brochure
- BC’s Indigenous-focused Graduation Requirement - Advancing reconciliation through education - YouTube
- Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) and First Nations Authorized (FNA) Course Requirements and Procedures Guidebook (4.1MB, PDF)
Recognized Course List
The following courses can be used to meet the graduation requirement of at least 4 credits of Indigenous-focused coursework:
Provincial Courses:
- B.C. First Peoples 12
- Peuples autochtones de la Colombie-Britannique 12
- Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12
- Études autochtones contemporaines 12
- English First Peoples – Literary Studies 10*
- English First Peoples – New Media 10*
- English First Peoples – Spoken Language 10*
- English First Peoples – Writing 10*
- English First Peoples – Literary Studies + New Media 11
- English First Peoples – Literary Studies + Spoken Language 11
- English First Peoples – Literary Studies + Writing 11
- English First Peoples 12
*denotes a 2-credit course (meets half the requirement)
First Nations Language Courses (Grade 10-12 level):
- ʔayʔaǰuθəm 5 to 12 and Introductory ʔayʔaǰuθəm 11
- Dakelh 5 to 12 and Introductory Dakelh 11
- Gitxsenimx ~ Gitxsanimax 5 to 12 and Introductory Gitxsenimx ~ Gitxsanimax 11
- Halq'eméylem 5 to 12 and Introductory Halq'eméylem 11
- Heiltsuk 5 to 12 and Introductory Heiltsuk 11
- Hul'q'umi'num' 5 to 12 and Introductory Hul'q'umi'num' 11
- Kwak’wala 5 to 12 and Introductory Kwak’wala 11
- Liqwala/Kwak'wala 5 to 12 and Introductory Liqwala/Kwak'wala 11
- nsíylxcən 5 to 12 and Introductory nsíylxc¿n 11
- Nte?kepmxcin 5 to 12 and Introductory Nte?kepmxcin 11
- Nuučaan̓uɫ 5 to 12 and Introductory Nuucaan¿u¿ 11
- Secwepemctsin (Shuswap Language) 5 to 12 and Introductory Secwepemctsin 11
- SENĆOŦEN 5 to 12 and Introductory SENCOTEN 11
- Shashishalhem (Sechelt Language) 5 to 12 and Introductory Shashishalhem 11
- Sim'algaxhl Nisga'a 5 to 12 and Introductory Sim'algaxhl Nisga'a 11
- Sm'algyax 5 to 12 and Introductory Sm'algyax 11
- St̓át̓y̓emcets 5 to 12 and Introductory St¿a´t¿y¿emcets 11
- Tsek'ene 5 to 12 and Introductory Tsek'ene 11
- Upper St’at’imcets 5 to 12 and Introductory Upper St’at’imcets 11
- Xaayda Kil / Xaad Kil Grades 5 to 12 and Introductory Xaayda Kil / Xaad Kil 11
Locally Developed Courses:
- All First Nation Authorized Courses can be used to meet the requirement
- Boards/Authorities can authorize locally developed (Board/Authority Authorized or First Nation Authorized) courses to meet this graduation requirement
- Contact public boards of education or independent school authorities for information regarding local options: B.C. K-12 School and District Contact Information
- See Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) and First Nation Authorized (FNA) Course Requirements and Procedures Guidebook (4.1MB, PDF) for information concerning criteria for BAA/FNA courses to meet the requirement
External Credentials:
- Successful completion of a First Nations Language and Culture External Credential
- External Credentials Program for a list of eligible programs