Education for reconciliation

Supporting reconciliation by including First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives and experiences throughout Alberta’s education system.

Overview

In the spirit of reconciliation, Alberta Education collaborates with education partners to improve education outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. The ministry also aims to increase knowledge and understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures among all kindergarten to Grade 12 (K to 12) students.

Alberta Education works to improve First Nations, Métis and Inuit student success by:

  • supporting partners to gather, analyze and share Indigenous education data, enhance grant accountability and meet updated legislative requirements
  • strengthening education programs, policies and initiatives for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students
  • dedicating funding for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to improve the education system and close the systemic education gap in Alberta schools
  • supporting relationship-building between Indigenous communities and schools through community-based funding and supports
  • promoting collaboration with educational partners to identify potential solutions, pathways and promising practices that broaden the capacity of the education system to improve educational outcomes of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students

Indigenous Education and Reconciliation Circle

The Indigenous Education and Reconciliation Circle provides a forum for education stakeholders and Alberta Education to collaborate in meaningful ways on matters and issues related to Indigenous education and advancing reconciliation.

The circle is chaired by Alberta Education (the Assistant Deputy Minister of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Division or a designate). Membership includes representation from professional education staff associations across the province.

To learn more, see the Indigenous Education and Reconciliation Circle fact sheet.

Indigenous Knowledge Keepers Circle

Alberta’s government is committed to building on its intercultural competencies. The Indigenous Knowledge Keepers Circle pilot program is a collaboration between the ministries of Education and Indigenous Relations. The program provides opportunities for Alberta Public Service members to meet with Elders to learn about teachings connected to various Indigenous cultures.

Promoting collaboration

  • Academic streaming research project

    Alberta's government partnered with MacEwan University to identify academic streaming practices within the K to 12 education system that may limit Indigenous student access to post secondary education. The research will identify unnecessary enrolment barriers for Indigenous students and outline potential solutions to strengthen educational outcomes.

  • Curriculum development

    Alberta Education is in the process of renewing the K to 12 curriculum.

    All new curriculum developed in Alberta is developed in accordance with the Guiding Framework for Curriculum Design and Development, which outlines the commitment to include Indigenous perspectives in historical and contemporary contexts. This ensures every student in the province will learn about the diverse Indigenous peoples of this land and how First Nations, Métis, and Inuit contribute to the vibrancy and fabric of Alberta and Canadian society.

    Learn more about the curriculum development process.
     

  • Professional practice standards

    Alberta Education established professional practice standards to ensure all education professionals, including superintendents, principals and teachers, have knowledge and understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit histories, cultures, experiences and perspectives, including the legacy of residential schools and treaties.

Building relationships

  • Framework agreements

    Framework agreements are formal partnerships between the Alberta Government and First Nations to support First Nation student success on-reserve. Alberta Education has existing framework agreements with the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Education Authority and the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission.

    Since signing framework agreements, both school authorities have reported gains in:

    • organizational capacity and structure
    • the ability to offer students comprehensive supports, similar to provincial school authorities
    • outcomes for their students
  • Protocol agreements

    Protocol agreements are signed by the Premier and the Chiefs of the respective First Nation(s) and provide a framework to ensure a productive working relationship based on areas of mutual interest and cooperation.

    The Government of Alberta currently has:

    • protocol agreements with the Blackfoot Confederacy and the Stoney Nakoda-Tsuut’ina Tribal Council (G4)
    • a relationship agreement with the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations

    Alberta Education works closely with its First Nations partners through protocol agreements to develop and implement education work plans that advance initiatives, such as:

    • land-based learning
    • teacher recruitment and retention
    • language revitalization
  • MOU for collaboration on education objectives in Fort Chipewyan

    The Alberta government, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation and Fort Chipewyan Métis Association signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together to strengthen the delivery of educational programming and services in the community of Fort Chipewyan, while respecting cultural identity for all students. 

Grant programs

The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Division provides leadership and strategic direction to support the education system in improving outcomes and creating opportunities for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in Alberta. The division provides supports for student success through a variety of initiatives, including the grant programs listed below. 
 

  • Bridging Classrooms to Communities pilot program

    In July 2023, Alberta’s government announced the Bridging Classrooms to Communities Grant pilot program, an investment of $10.5 million to help Indigenous communities and school authorities build relationships to support student success and advance reconciliation. The program will help 13 Indigenous organizations enhance student retention, social and cultural wellbeing, and academic success.

    The pilot program is expected to support up to 35 community connection projects in schools across Alberta. Through activities such as homework clubs, nutrition programs, and culture and language programs, these projects will help foster learning environments grounded in respect, collaboration and cultural awareness.
     

  • Community Reconciliation Grant pilot program

    The Community Reconciliation Grant pilot promotes community healing and reconciliation by fostering engagement between Indigenous organizations and schools to support students through a holistic approach.

    In 2023, eligible organizations applied to receive a grant of up to $100,000 to support a reconciliation-related project or initiative, with letters of support from a provincial school division. From 2023 to 2024, a total of $700,000 in funding was provided to 8 Indigenous organizations. This funding helps to enhance partnerships between schools and communities and facilitate collaborative work towards truth and reconciliation. 
     

  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit Grant

    Closing the systemic education gap between First Nation, Métis and Inuit learners, and non-Indigenous learners is a priority for Alberta’s government. As school authorities may require additional resources to offer program planning and supports for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students in order to ensure student success, government provides a funding allocation to school authorities based on the number of self-identified First Nation, Métis and Inuit students registered annually.

  • Specialized Learning Supports for First Nations (SLS-FN) Grant program

    The SLS-FN Grant program was developed to address the specialized supports and services needs of First Nations students registered with First Nations schools. Specialized learning supports include but are not limited to:

    • low incidence supports (hearing, vision and complex communication needs)
    • mental health and/or addictions counselling
    • emotional and behavioral supports
    • family school liaison supports
    • speech-language pathology
    • occupational therapy
    • physical therapy

    Funding is distributed directly to First Nations and First Nation Education Authorities and is allocated based on calculations that include a:

    • base allocation – northern allowance (if applicable)
    • per student allocation based on the enrolment from the 2022/23 school year