Indigenous learning providers

Overview

First Nations colleges and Indigenous learning providers offer adult learning opportunities in an Indigenous context.

Students benefit from wraparound services, including cultural supports that are integral to both their academic achievement and their personal wellbeing.

First Nations colleges

First Nations colleges deliver:

foundational learning
preparatory programs
training programs
credentialed programs, including Indigenous language and cultural knowledge

Some programs are offered in partnership with other Alberta publicly funded post-secondary institutions. These colleges develop and approve mandates to guide their operations.

First Nations colleges in Alberta

College	Programs	Location	Mandate
Maskwacis Cultural College	basic adult literacy programs Cree language culture certificate and diploma programs university transfer programs	Samson Cree Nation, Maskwacis	Maskwacis Cultural College mandate
Old Sun Community College	basic adult upgrading Blackfoot language and knowledge certificate and diploma degree programs accredited programs in collaboration with public post-secondary institutions	Siksika Nation	Old Sun Community College mandate
Red Crow Community College	upgrading Blackfoot language and knowledge certificate and diploma programs accredited programs in collaboration with publicly funded post-secondary institutions	Kainai Nation, Stand Off	About Red Crow Community College
University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills	upgrading Cree and Dene languages and cultural knowledge programs trades business and leadership diploma and certificate programs bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in Indigenous language and cultural knowledge accredited programs in collaboration with publicly funded post-secondary institutions	St. Paul	University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills mandate
Yellowhead Tribal College	adult basic upgrading several preparatory programs certificate and diploma programs in: management human services health care education information technology accredited programs in collaboration with public post-secondary institutions	Edmonton	Yellowhead Tribal College mandate

Transfer agreements

Most of these colleges (except Old Sun Community College) are part of Alberta’s transfer & pathways system. This allows students to transfer their post-secondary education between programs and institutions.
Learn more about transfer opportunities by either:

asking the college you want to attend about transfer opportunities
using the Transfer Alberta search tool to search for transfer opportunities

Other Indigenous learning providers

Other Indigenous learning providers can be either a:

non-profit community organization serving local foundational learning and employment readiness needs or
training institute offering accredited programs and belonging to Alberta’s transfer & pathways system

Other Indigenous adult learning providers include:

Learning provider	Programs	Location	Mandate
Kayas Cultural College	adult academic upgrading programs training in: basic adult literacy basic adult numeracy CAEC (formerly GED) support foundational life skills child and family literacy Microsoft Office workplace safety	John D’or Prairie	Kayas Cultural College
Nechi Institute: Centre of Indigenous Learning	community addictions training counsellor training professional development Indigenous addictions services family violence accredited programs are transferable to Alberta universities and colleges	Sturgeon County	Nechi Institute: Centre of Indigenous Learning mandate
Riel Institute for Education & Learning	literacy and foundational learning employability skills life skills family and youth support cultural support office administration	Calgary	Riel Institute for Education & Learning mandate
Rupertsland Institute- Rupertsland Centre for Métis Research	serves as an academic research entity designed specifically for Métis concerns	Edmonton	n/a

Funding support

Government supports for Indigenous adult learners and providers help create meaningful and relevant learning experiences.
Budget 2018 included $11 million for Indigenous training providers and targeted financial supports for learners.

Contact

Connect with the Ministry of Advanced Education:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-5400
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-422-1263
Submit questions and comments online: www.alberta.ca/contact.cfm

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