The Biinojiinh Kinomaage-gamik Early Years Centre on the Sheguiandah First Nation has celebrated its official opening. The centre was completed in August 2020 and celebrated a soft opening in May 2022 when pandemic restrictions were lifted. The building has been prepared to welcome the children with toys, books, and learning materials, and features a washer and dryer and a storage unit to store equipment. “This early years centre is here for the many kids we have ... in the community,” said Sheguiandah Chief Elvis Mishibinijima.

A historic regional education agreement was signed on Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory between the First Nations Education Council, FNEC’s 22 First Nations member communities, and Indigenous Services Canada. Under the agreement, approximately $1.1B over five years will be provided to the communities to fund education, including building culturally adapted programs, supporting school transportation, and the recruitment and training of over 600 teachers and other staff. Through this agreement, APTN News reports that the communities will have full responsibility over the schools and their curriculum.

The Government of British Columbia has announced that it is implementing an Indigenous-focused graduation requirement starting in 2023-24. High school students will be required to complete an Indigenous-focused course, such as Contemporary Indigenous Studies or one of 18 eligible First Nations language courses, before they graduate from high school. The introduction of the new requirement will make BC the first province to have an Indigenous-focused graduation requirement.

Lennox Island First Nation is experiencing a cultural revival as students reclaim their education through practicing Mi’kmaw culture, reports CBC. Students at John J Sark Memorial School, which is a former day school, have been practicing Mi’kmaw culture by drumming and speaking the language. Students take pride in their heritage through activities such as drumming at lunch and announcing the weather to their school and community in Mi’kmaw and English. “I feel it’s super cool because my ancestors, it was illegal for them to do it, a long time ago ...