Indigenous Post-Secondary Education & Skills Training
Last updated on May 8, 2026With gratitude and respect we would like to acknowledge the traditional keepers of the land on which our offices are located, the Lekwungen Peoples, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and the Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam and Squamish Nations. We are grateful for their continued stewardship of this beautiful territory.
We would also like to acknowledge the many First Nations on whose traditional territories the 25 BC public post-secondary institutions and the First Nations mandated post-secondary institutions are located.
Vancouver Island University (VIU) expanded space for ceremonial and support services in the Shq’apthut (a gathering place) building on campus
What We Do
Our work with Indigenous Peoples is guided by the objectives of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and commitments in the Declaration Act Action Plan to advance reconciliation. It is also informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. Culturally relevant post-secondary education and skills training is fundamental to meeting these commitments.
We work collaboratively, using a distinctions-based approach, with First Nations, Métis, and other Indigenous partners to ensure that Indigenous learners can achieve their higher educational goals in ways that reflect a diversity of Indigenous cultures and values.
Read the 2026 Indigenous Learners Report
Highlights the experiences and outcomes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners in BC's public post-secondary institutions.
Previous Reports - Indigenous Learners
- 2021 Report (up to 2018/19 data) (PDF)
- 2018 Report (up to 2015/16 data) (PDF)
Learn about the Indigenous Identity Data Standard for collecting, using and sharing Indigenous identity data.
Principles, Commitments & Frameworks that guide our work
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP, 2007)
The UN Declaration emphasizes the Indigenous Peoples’ rights to live in dignity, to maintain and strengthen Indigenous institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue self-determined development, in keeping with Indigenous needs and aspirations.
Adopted by 148 nations, including the Government of Canada, its implementation in B.C. occurs through the Declaration Act and the Action Plan.
Declaration Act Action Plan (DAAP, 2022-2027)
DAAP is a cross-government action plan to guide the Province’s work to implement the UN Declaration in B.C.
The Province reports annually on progress made to implement the Action Plan and align provincial laws with the UN Declaration, which ensures the government’s work is transparent and accountable.
The principles provide high-level guidance on how provincial representatives engage with Indigenous Peoples, addressing areas such as:
- Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination and self-government
- government employees’ standard of conduct
- treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements to be based on recognition of inherent rights and respect.
Shared Priorities Framework (2022)
Signed between the Province and the Alliance of BC Modern Treaty Nations, the Framework was developed to identify new pathways to renewing treaty relationships and advancing treaty implementation.
Premier David Eby joined Ministers Bowinn Ma and Christine Boyle at the Premier’s Forum with members of the Alliance of BC Modern Treaty Nations at the Nisga’a Lisims Government House, followed by a tour through Nisga’a Lands and villages. June 2025
First Nations Children and Youth in Care Protocol (2020)
The Protocol between the First Nations Leadership Council and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) and the Province sets out a mutual commitment to improve the education outcomes of all First Nations children and youth in care, and former youth in care, in British Columbia.
Métis Nation Relationship Accord II
The Métis Nation Relationship Accord II renews a commitment to work together for the betterment of Métis people throughout British Columbia. The accord was first signed in 2006 to strengthen relationships between the provincial government and Métis people. The accord set out objectives to address health, housing, education, economic opportunities, Métis identification and data collection as well as any opportunities for engaging in a tripartite relationship with the federal government. In addition to recommitting to the original objectives of the accord, the updated version covers an additional four areas: children and families, information sharing, justice, and wildlife stewardship.
BC-Métis Nation BC Relations Table: Terms of Reference
These Terms of Reference describe the structured table process that supports the October 2021 Letter of Intent between MNBC and the Province. The Letter commits both Parties to advancing their relationship through a “whole-of -government” approach to Métis relations.
Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training Protocol (2025) (with MNBC)
The Protocol recognizes that the Province and Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) have an ongoing collaborative working relationship and are seeking to improve upon that relationship with regard to post-secondary education and skills training outcomes for Métis people in B.C.
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA, 2019)
The B.C. Government passed the Declaration Act to create a path forward that respects the human rights of Indigenous Peoples while introducing better transparency and predictability in the work we do together.
In 2022, the Declaration Act Secretariat released the ‘Interim Approach to Implementing the Requirements of Section 3 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.’
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC, 2015)
The TRC in its final report, 2015, detailed the experiences and impacts of the residential school system, creating a historical record of its legacy and consequences. An outcome of the report was a document detailing 94 calls to action across areas including child welfare, education, health, justice, and language and culture.
Distinctions-based Approach Primer (2023)
A distinctions-based approach (DBA) means that the Province’s work with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit will be conducted in a manner that acknowledges the specific rights, interests, priorities and concerns of each, while respecting and acknowledging these distinct Peoples with unique cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.
The primer is intended to assist the provincial government in building an understanding of the DBA’s legal basis and core elements.
The Act allows the Province to safely collect and use information to address systemic racism. This will help us to identify gaps in our programs and deliver stronger public services for everyone in B.C. Several projects under the Act further guide this work, including:
Post-Secondary Education and Training Protocol (2016) (with FNESC)
The Protocol formalizes an effective bilateral process to assist the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA), and British Columbia to improve First Nations and Aboriginal post-secondary, training and adult educational participation and outcomes.
Legislation
The First Nations Mandated Post-Secondary Institutes (FNMPSI) Act, 2024, acknowledges the integral role of FNMPSIs as a key pillar of B.C.’s post-secondary education system. It commits to providing ongoing operational and capacity funding to eligible institutes.
The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), and the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) collaborated to develop this Act.
Significance of the Act
FNMPSIs play a vital role in First Nation communities by providing First Nation learners with the opportunity to access programs that are rooted in their language and culture, and to experience success in a safe and culturally relevant environment. The legislation supports the alignment of provincial laws with Article 14 (1) and (2) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Programs and Initiatives
Indigenous Pathways and Partnerships Program (IPP)
The purpose of the IPP program is to address the academic, social, emotional, and cultural needs of Indigenous learners and ensure that Indigenous partners are invited to participate in shaping programs and services provided by public post-secondary institutions.
The program goals are to:
- Increase access, retention, completion and transition opportunities for Indigenous learners;
- Strengthen partnerships and collaboration between public post-secondary institutions and First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Indigenous organizations (inclusive of Urban Indigenous and off-reserve Indigenous peoples) with a post-secondary education and training mandate; and
- Increase the receptivity and relevance of post-secondary institutions and programs for Indigenous learners, including providing support for initiatives that address systemic barriers.
Download Indigenous Pathways and Partnerships Program 2025/26 Submission Guidelines (PDF)
For more information, please email: PSFS.IPP@gov.bc.ca
Indigenous Language Fluency Degree Funding
The Indigenous Language Fluency Degree (ILFD) framework is a post-secondary degree model created to address concerns from First Nations that existing Indigenous language programs offered by public post-secondary institutions were not creating fluent speakers. The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) and the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) worked in partnership with a group of public post-secondary institutes, First Nations institutes and First Nations to develop the framework.
In July 2023, through the StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, the Province announced $3 million in funding over three years to support curriculum development and community-based delivery of certificate and diploma programs that ladder into Indigenous Language Fluency Degrees.
Six communities have been partially funded to deliver Indigenous Language Fluency certificates and diplomas. Over 300 Indigenous Language Fluency certificates and diplomas have been granted to date, and many students have gone on to complete the full degree.
Indigenous Skills Training and Education (ISTE) Program
The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education & Future Skills (PSFS) provides funding through the Indigenous Skills Training and Education program (ISTE) to BC First Nations, the First Nations Education Steering Committee, Métis Nation BC, and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres to support community-led skills training and post-secondary education needs and priorities. Through funding provided by the ISTE program, Indigenous peoples and communities across British Columbia have increased access to culturally-relevant skills training and post-secondary education leading to labour market participation, employment, further education and training, community revitalization, and socioeconomic well-being.
For more information on criteria and how to apply, please email: PSFS.IndigenousPrograms@gov.bc.ca
BladeRunners
BladeRunners provides free life skills, job readiness skills, work experience, on-the-job training, job coaching and ongoing supports to unemployed or precariously employed young adults. The BladeRunners programs are delivered throughout B.C. and provide a variety of skills training options. For more information, please visit the BladeRunners page to contact the service provider(s) in your region.
Partners
Contact information
If you have questions, please get in touch with us! We normally respond within 2-3 business days.
PSFS.IndigenousPolicyandEngagement@gov.bc.ca