The purpose of this day is to prioritize Indigenous student achievement and to further integrate Indigenous worldviews and perspectives into public education learning environments.

Each year, BC school districts are required to host an Indigenous-focused professional learning day for all teachers in public schools. The Indigenous-Focused Non-Instructional Day is included in the School Calendar Regulation of the BC School Act and it is a part of the BC Tripartite Education Agreement (BCTEA) signed by FNESC, the Government of BC and the Government of Canada in 2018.

It is important that First Nations of the local territory be involved in all aspects of the planning of this professional development opportunity, so that curriculum, materials, and learning teachers receive meaningfully reflects the cultures, values, languages, and traditions of local First Nations.