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 and the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association have been working under the direction of BC First Nations on the development of a BC Tripartite Post-Secondary Model, which will fundamentally transform the post-secondary education system in BC.
First Nations Mandated Institutes
First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes are a key pillar of BC’s post-secondary education system. Bill 20 commits the Province to contribute ongoing operational and capacity funding for eligible institutes, addressing a key commitment in the Declaration Act Action Plan.
Post-Secondary Student Support Program
The Post-Secondary Student Support 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 Nations 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 capacity of First Nations in 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-controlled adult and postsecondary institutes in BC. IAHLA member institutes fill a critical need in the BC postsecondary system by providing community-based and culturally relevant post-secondary and adult education to First Nation learners. FNESC and IAHLA have a Memorandum of Understanding that acknowledges the respective roles of each organization in advancing an evolving BC Tripartite Post-Secondary Education Model.
