First Nation K-12 Education

A good education is one of the best ways to make sure that every child has a fair chance at the best life possible. High-quality, culturally appropriate education is especially important if we want to ensure a brighter and more prosperous future for First Nations children, youth, and communities. With First Nations people among the youngest and fastest-growing populations in Canada, investing in their success means investing in Canada’s success.

Budget 2024 proposes new investments in First Nations’ kindergarten to grade 12 education programming and infrastructure, including:

• $649.4 million over two years, starting in 2024-25, to improve elementary and secondary education on reserve, and ensure funding formulas meet the needs of growing communities; and,
• $545.1 million over three years, starting in 2024-25, for K-12 infrastructure to build and renovate safe and healthy learning environments for First Nations students.

First Nation Post-Secondary Education

Unlocking pathways to post-secondary education is critical to ensuring that Indigenous students have opportunities to succeed and contribute at their full potential. In 2021, 45 per cent of First Nations people aged 25-64 had attained a post-secondary credential, in comparison to 68 per cent of non-Indigenous Canadians. Supporting the next generation of First Nations university, college, and post-secondary students will help build a brighter future for Indigenous communities and a Canada where everyone has a fair chance at success.

Budget 2024 proposes to increase support for First Nations post-secondary students:

• $242.7 million over three years, starting in 2024-25, to increase access to post-secondary education for First Nations students through the Post- Secondary Student Support Program.

The federal government will continue to support Inuit and Métis postsecondary education through their Post-Secondary Education Strategies funded in Budget 2019 which invested $487.5 million over ten years, and $61.8 million ongoing.

Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning

Over the last five years, the number of people with a bachelor’s degree or higher has increased for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. However, Indigenous people who live in the North face unique barriers accessing post-secondary education that is both closer to home and culturally appropriate. This is why the government is investing in the Dechinta Centre in the Northwest Territories to support access to culturally appropriate post-secondary education that is accessible to Indigenous students in the North.

Budget 2024 proposes to provide $5.2 million over two years, starting in 2024-25, to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to support the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning. With this funding, First Nations can support post-secondary students in their community, making post-secondary education more accessible.