How are we working together?
The First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes legislation was introduced in the B.C. Legislature during the Spring 2024 legislative session. The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills (PSFS) continues to work in collaboration and consultation with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association and First Nations to develop regulation, processes and procedures for implementation of this legislation. The ministry and FNESC have signed a bilateral agreement to guide this work. The ministry undertook two rounds of consultation while developing the legislation with First Nations and Modern Treaty Nations and will be doing another round of consultations before finalizing the regulation, policies and procedures.
PSFS continues to consult regularly with Métis Nation British Columbia on this work at monthly bilateral meetings, with additional meetings scheduled as required.
Are there challenges?
No challenges identified.
Highlights
First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes play a vital role in First Nation communities by providing First Nation learners with the opportunity to access programs that are rooted in their language and culture, and to experience success in a safe and culturally relevant environment. First Nations have repeatedly and consistently identified the need for recognition and stable funding of these institutes given that they fill a critical need for First Nations and First Nation learners that cannot be met by public post-secondary institutions.
The intent of this action was to ensure that legislation was enacted to reflect the critical role of First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes in B.C.’s post-secondary system and establish ongoing core and capacity funding commitments. The legislation supports the alignment of provincial laws with Article 14 (1) and (2) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.