Education for reconciliation

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.

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.
 

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.

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 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

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. 

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.
 

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. 
 

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.

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