NationTalk: Ottawa, ON –  Indspire is grateful that the federal government has chosen to continue investments in the post-secondary education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis students as announced in Budget 2024.

Budget 2024 announced that Indspire will receive continued federal funding of $8 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

When matched to donations from our supporters, each dollar from the Government of Canada delivers two dollars in available support for Indigenous post-secondary education and training.

These investments enhance Indspire’s ability to adapt to the changing education and training needs of Indigenous Peoples and help to support their career transitions into key sectors.

Indspire is also encouraged by the budget commitment to additional funding of $50 million over two years beginning in 2025-26 for the Supports for Student Learning Program, administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

The funding announced in Budget 2024 builds upon an additional $6 million in year-end funding provided by Minister Boissonnault and ESDC in February, which helped Indspire to fund an additional 2,400 students in 2023-24.

“This continued investment builds upon our enduring partnership with the Government of Canada and will enable Indspire to support many more Indigenous students to achieve their potential through education, and to then build meaningful careers in professions that are in high demand,” said Mike DeGagné, President and CEO of Indspire.

About Indspire

Indspire is an Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs, and shares resources so that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students will achieve their highest potential. In 2022-23, Indspire provided more than $27.5 million through 7,522 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students across Canada.