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The challenges that First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Afro-Indigenous students face in
obtaining post-secondary education are a culmination of both historical and
contemporary factors. Prior to the establishment of the westernized educational
system prevalent across Canada, Indigenous people engaged in land-based and
experiential education that has existed for thousands of years. Assimilative po
licies, like
the Indian Act, greatly impacted traditional forms of education as government-funded
Indian Residential Schools physically removed generations of Indigenous children from
their families and communities, and, therefore, from their culture, language, and
ancestral knowledge.[1]
In response to the recommendations outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of Canada,[2] many conte
mporary schools have progressed the agenda of
reconciliation that supports Indigenous student success. Although the federal
government is responsible for policies that pertain to Indigenous people, higher
education falls under the jurisdiction of Canada's provinces and territories. Colleges
and universities are fairly autonomous in how they engage in academic matters and
each educational institution ac
ross the country varies greatly on their responsiveness to
reconciliation.[3]
Education for Indigenous people is considered a treaty right.[4] Imperative to this
right is the obligation of the Canadian government to provide adequate funding. As it
stands today, the treaty right to education is not always upheld. This is evidenced by the
insufficient and capped funding levels that contribute to the
backlog of Indigenous
students awaiting post-secondary education.[5]
[1] Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. "Final Report."
[2] Ibid.
[3] Sarah Trevleaven, "How Canadian Universities are Responding to the TRC's Calls to Action," Macleans, December 7, 2018, https://www.macleans.ca/education/how-canadian-universities-
are-responding-to-the-trcs-calls-to-action/.
[4] Sheila Carr-Stewart. "A Treaty Right to Education," Canadian Journal of Education26, no. 2 (2001): 125–143.
[5] Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. "Final Report."
