Post-Secondary Education
FNESC is committed to ensuring that First Nations students have access to relevant, high-quality education at all levels, including the post-secondary level.
Guided by the principle of First Nations control of First Nations education, and working under the direction of First Nations, FNESC is committed to advancing the post-secondary education (PSE) priorities that have been identified by First Nations in BC and to work with key partners to make systemic changes to improve the educational outcomes for First Nations post-secondary learners.
In This Section:
BC First Nations Tripartite Post-Secondary Education Model
Since 2018, FNESC, working with the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) and under the direction of BC First Nations, has been working on the development and implementation of a BC First Nations Tripartite Post-Secondary Model, which will fundamentally transform the post-secondary education system in BC.
First Nations Mandated Institutes Act
FNESC, IAHLA and the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills co-developed legislation that recognizes the critical role that First Nations mandated post-secondary institutes play in the BC post-secondary education system, and commits the Province to provide operational and capacity funding for eligible institutes.
BC First Nations Post-Secondary Partnerships Program (PSPP)
The Post-Secondary Partnerships Program (PSPP) supports First Nations and First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes in delivering community-based programming, with the overall aim of increasing the number of First Nation students pursuing post-secondary education.
Resources and Support for PSE Coordinators
Consistent with the direction of First Nations, FNESC undertakes a number of initiatives that build the capacity of First Nations in regard to post-secondary education, including the development and sharing of relevant post-secondary resources and supports for PSE Coordinators.
FNESC works closely with the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA). Founded in 2003, IAHLA provides a unified voice for First Nations mandated adult education and post-secondary institutes in BC. IAHLA member institutes play a critical role in the BC post-secondary education system by delivering culturally relevant post-secondary education programs and services that respect and respond to First Nations learner and community needs.
