How are we working together?
Urban Indigenous Youth Education Project: The Ministry of Infrastructure (INF) continues to work closely with Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA), Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) and other partners through regular steering committee meetings, project board meetings and ad hoc meetings on key topics.
Native Education College: The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills (PSFS) continues to work closely with Native Education College (NEC) staff to guide the implementation of policies and procedures congruent with its transition to a public post-secondary institution and eventual entry into the Government Reporting Entity.
Are there challenges?
Urban Indigenous Youth Education Project: Project partners are addressing budgetary challenges and are working to revise the concept plan to align project costs with available funding from various sources.
Native Education College (NEC): NEC requires additional budget and time to maintain its capacity to operate at the level required to become a public post-secondary institution and enter the Government Reporting Entity.
Highlights
Urban Indigenous Youth Education Project: Collaborative work with partners continues to progress on the planning and development of the project.
Native Education College (NEC): NEC continues to see growing student numbers with 140 in 2022/2023 to 357 in 2024/2025 (155%), which included 148 graduates in July 2025. In addition, the first year of its new Associate of Arts Degree – Indigenous Studies was successfully completed in the spring of 2025. The cohort continued with year two in September 2025, and in the spring of 2026, they will be positioned to transfer to public post-secondary institutions to pursue a higher degree.
Previous years’ progress
Highlights
In the 2024/25 academic year, Native Education College offered its first Associate of Arts Degree in Indigenous Studies – a two-year program that provides students with an academic foundation in Indigenous cultures, history, and contemporary issues. The college continues to see an upward trend with student enrolments, with 34% growth this past winter.
How are we working together?
Urban Indigenous Youth Education Project: Working closely with Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA), Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), and other partners through regular steering committee meetings, project board meetings and ad hoc meetings on key topics.
Native Education College (NEC): The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills (PSFS) is working closely with NEC to build its capacity. PSFS and NEC meet regularly to set direction and work collaboratively.
Are there challenges?
Urban Indigenous Youth Education Project: Project costs are exceeding established funding commitments. PSFS is identifying options for managing project budget and risks.
Native Education College: Challenges faced by NEC include building capacity without necessary and additional public funding. PSFS is committed to seeking opportunities for additional funding.
Highlights
The Native Education College (NEC) has received conditional approval to offer their first Associate Degree in Indigenous studies, which signifies their growing capacity. Engagement and discussion will continue in 2024/25.
How are we working together?
Work continues between the partners to advance these initiatives. For work related to the NEC, through the StrongerBC Future Ready Action Plan, ongoing operational funding has been secured.
Are there challenges?
- Urban Indigenous Youth Education Project: Project costs are exceeding established funding. PSFS is identifying options for managing project budget and risks.
- Native Education College: Challenges faced by Native Education College include building capacity without additional public funding. PSFS is committed to seeking opportunities for additional funding.