Postsecondary institutions and associated organizations from across Canada held celebrations, highlighted the contributions of Indigenous scholars, reflected upon historic wrongs, and more in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day last Friday. Flag-raising ceremonies, cultural performances, and other events were held across the country, from Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic on the east coast to Royal Roads University on the west. Several institutions announced that they had signed CICAN’s Indigenous Education Protocol or hired new Indigenous faculty.

The Maskwacîs Cree Nations and the Government of Canada have signed a landmark First Nations education agreement marking the official transition of true local control of education to the Cree Nations. The Agreement ensures that all 11 Maskwacîs schools are placed under full administrative control of the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission, which will serve as the single education authority for students in the area. “This is an historic moment,” said MESC superintendent Brian Wildcat.

Vancouver Island University’s Board of Governors has moved to approve a new tuition framework that allows any Indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands are within Canada to be considered domestic students rather than international students. The change was made after discussions with Indigenous communities indicated a strong interest in enhancing educational opportunities for members of those communities who live outside of Canada.

Saskatoon’s City Council has formally inked an agreement between the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research. “One of the most tangible things is to identify and make sure that … the qualifications and the training that students are getting here are going to set them up to be able to compete with anybody else for positions,” said Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. Clark explained that the agreement will make it easier for graduating students to get good jobs and create a more representative workforce in Saskatoon.