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 IAHLA have been working under the direction of BC First Nations on the development of a BC Tripartite Post-Secondary Model (BC PSE Model). Through engagement with First Nations and First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes, efforts are being made to ensure that the BC PSE Model addresses the needs and priorities identified by First Nations.
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 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.
