Indigenous Institutes post-secondary education on the brink of collapse

FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION (February 27, 2024) – The February 26, 2024, announcement of $1.3 billion over three years for colleges and universities by the Ontario government once again prioritizes the funding of mainstream post-secondary institutions while the urgent needs of Indigenous Institutes are ignored.

Indigenous Institutes recognize the important role all pillars of post-secondary education provide and are deeply concerned that the third pillar of education, the Indigenous Institutes pillar, is severely underfunded, hindering educational access, impeding the economic prosperity of Indigenous communities, and the restricting Indigenous peoples participation in and contributions to the Ontario economy.

Indigenous Institutes serve learners who would not traditionally go to a mainstream college or university, they want to learn about their culture and language and receive high-quality post-secondary education where they are close to family and supports.

Indigenous Institutes are efficient and effective and maintain a successful graduation rate of 75-85 per cent, up to 10 per cent higher than Ontario colleges, and over 90 per cent of graduates transition to good quality employment. Indigenous Institutes are efficient and effective and have delivered excellent results and should not be penalized for achieving excellent results and those who run deficits are rewarded.

Indigenous Institutes play a vital role in offering an inclusive and culturally-grounded learning environment, providing a space where Indigenous students can thrive and contribute to their communities and broader economy; however, the stark funding disparity between Indigenous Institutes and publicly-funded institutions highlights systemic disparities, in contradiction to international declarations such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Indigenous Institutes call on the government to fulfill its legal obligation to provide stable, equitable, long-term funding of Indigenous Institutes, and urgently move forward with bilateral discussions recommended by the government’s Blue-Ribbon Panel.

ABOUT THE IIC
The IIC represents seven Indigenous Institutes across Ontario, fostering collaboration and unity since its establishment in 1994. The IIC supports member Institutes to advance post secondary Indigenous education innovation, through partnerships and collective collaborative approaches.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Marsha Josephs
Executive Director
Phone: 519.861.7744
E-mail: mjosephs@iicontario.ca