Reflecting on the 2024 National Indigenous Education Symposium

“Don’t just talk about it. Be about it.” These powerful words, spoken by an Indigenous student at this year’s National Indigenous Education Symposium, perfectly capture the spirit of the two-and-a-half-day gathering.

From October 27–29, on Mi’kmaw territory in Halifax, Nova Scotia, over 330 Indigenous leaders, educators, and advocates gathered at the National Indigenous Education Symposium, focused on integrating Indigenous perspectives into solutions to address Canada’s most pressing challenges.

The energy of the event cannot be overstated. Participants eagerly reflected, shared, and explored actionable Indigenous-centred approaches to advance real change, including bridging skills gaps, engaging meaningfully with Indigenous learners and communities, and leveraging Indigenous knowledge to drive innovation.  

As Tabatha Bull, President & CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, noted, “Education is a powerful tool of empowerment and self-determination. It provides not only knowledge but also connections that can help revitalize our communities.”

We heard firsthand about the importance of land connections, community relationships, language revitalization, and embedding Indigenous perspectives into institutional decision-making in Canada’s network of public colleges and institutes. Across the 30-plus programs, projects, and partnerships showcased at the symposium, each emphasized the vital role Indigenous Peoples and communities play as partners – not only in education but as solution providers, change-makers, and leaders driving Canada’s economy.

For example, North Island College’s Collaborative Online Indigenous Intercultural Learning Pathway is reimagining online learning through an Indigenous lens, emphasizing land and community connections alongside the Five Rs of Indigenous Education (Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, Responsibility, and Relationships).

In Saskatchewan, the pawâcikêwikamik: The Innovation Collective, a partnership with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology, is empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs with mentorship, a MakerLodge, and non-repayable microgrants to turn ideas into action, creating new opportunities for community growth. 

Mental health for all students was another major focus. We heard how Canada’s first National Standard for the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Post-Secondary Students is guiding institutions like Assiniboine College and George Brown College in creating lasting impact, particularly for Indigenous students, as these institutions work to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

At Mohawk College, the Centre for Indigenous Relations, Knowledge, & Learning and Indigenous Student Services demonstrated the power of relational collaboration and Indigenous leadership.  Their Tetewatatyenawa:se Approach to Indigenous Engagement guide empowers departments across the college to engage meaningfully with Indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations, embedding Indigenous ways of knowing and doing into policies, procedures, and educational practices. Red Deer Polytechnic reinforced this vision, illustrating how its Reconcili-Action Plan, which integrates Indigenous perspectives into strategic planning, can foster partnerships that uplift all students.

Collège Ahuntsic’s Nidetin Centre (‘I am listening’ in Anishnaabemowin) is driving decolonization efforts through Innu language revitalization, culturally safe healthcare training, land-based humanities practices, and the Indigenization of philosophy courses. The Centre also supports Elders’ knowledge preservation and decolonizes internship practices in Nunavik by bridging non-Indigenous institutions with Indigenous perspectives.

While immense strides have been made, it is clear Indigenous Peoples continue to face complex challenges in securing self-determination, fair representation and equitable access to education. One message to our college community came through loud and clear: reconciliation is not simply a matter of equity, diversity, and inclusion; it’s fundamental to our Canadian identity. It demands more than words – it demands distinct, strategic action that is heartfelt and tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous communities.

Renewing the Indigenous Education Protocol

For CICan, the symposium was a pivotal opportunity to advance our Roadmap to 2026 efforts in key impact areas, particularly our renewed commitment to reconciliACTION. We reflected on our shared vision of fostering and preserving Indigenous culture, knowledge, and history within postsecondary education. This included the start of important discussions to review and refresh CICan’s Indigenous Education Protocol, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Seventy-three CICan members have signed the Protocol, and much has changed in the Canadian and post-secondary context since the Protocol’s launch 10 years ago.

What did we hear?

While the Protocol’s principles are strong and relevant, challenges remain in operationalizing them across institutions. A clear call emerged for more effective collaboration with smaller Indigenous-led postsecondary institutions, honouring their cultural sovereignty and the First Nations Principles of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession). But perhaps most importantly, we heard that the Protocol must be seen as a shared responsibility across all departments. Its principles must be recognized as a strategic imperative, fully integrated across CICan member institutions to drive authentic, lasting change.

Looking forward

In the coming months, CICan will work closely with members, our National Indigenous Advisory Committee and Indigenous partners to refresh the Protocol and mobilize broader member uptake. Our focus will be on ensuring that it fosters institution-wide commitments to reconciliation and targets stubborn challenges and gaps. We remain steadfast in recognizing that reconciliation in Canada’s post-secondary sector must be a living, breathing commitment—one seen as a powerful tool for meeting Canada’s challenges with Indigenous perspectives at the forefront.