Province aims to expand access, boost workforce readiness and ensure long-term sustainability
BRANTFORD, Ont. — The Ontario government has announced a historic $57 million investment in Indigenous Institutes, marking the largest single funding commitment to Indigenous higher education in the province’s history. The move is designed to expand access to labour market-driven programs while establishing a more sustainable funding model for the sector.
The funding forms part of the province’s broader $6.4 billion postsecondary education strategy and is expected to create hundreds of new student seats while stabilizing long-term operations at Indigenous Institutes across Ontario.
“Indigenous youth are the fastest-growing group in Ontario’s workforce,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “By providing record-setting investments into the Indigenous Institutes, we’re ensuring Indigenous students receive a world class education that equips them with the skills they need to launch good-paying, rewarding careers that builds stronger communities.”
Funding model to nearly double operating support
The new investment will nearly double annual operating funding for the province’s nine Indigenous Institutes, bringing total funding to more than $50 million per year by 2028. Of the $57 million, $33 million will be directed toward expanding up to 780 seats in high-demand fields such as health care, education, skilled trades, transportation, STEM and Indigenous languages.
A call for proposals is now open to allocate the new seats, with programs expected to begin as early as January 2027. A second intake is planned for fall 2026 to support additional enrolment in the 2027–28 academic year.
The province says the investment is intended to align training with labour market needs while supporting economic reconciliation and community development.
“We remain proud to partner with and support the exciting work underway at Indigenous Institutes as they provide the education and training that students need to enter skilled workforces,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. “Advancing economic reconciliation means creating lasting pathways for Indigenous students to good-paying careers in in-demand sectors throughout the province.”
Part of broader $6.4B postsecondary strategy
The funding is part of Ontario’s newly introduced long-term postsecondary funding framework, which will inject $6.4 billion into universities, colleges and Indigenous Institutes over four years. The plan aims to create 70,000 new student spaces and improve financial sustainability across the sector, particularly for smaller, rural, northern, French-language and Indigenous institutions.
Government officials say the initiative will help maintain access to education while strengthening Ontario’s workforce competitiveness among G7 economies.
Sector leaders welcome investment
Leaders across Indigenous Institutes and education organizations have broadly welcomed the funding, emphasizing its role in supporting culturally grounded programming and community-based learning.
“This investment marks a historic step toward long-term sustainable, equitable funding which strengthens our ability to develop and deliver accredited Indigenous-led programming that reflects our cultures, languages, and ways of knowing, while providing wraparound supports contributing to learner success. When we invest in Indigenous Institutes and Indigenous learners, we’re investing in our communities and our future.”
- Lorrie Deschamps
Chair, Governance Circle, Indigenous Institutes Consortium and President of Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute
“We at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig are pleased to see this additional investment in Indigenous Institutes across Ontario. This support enables us to develop new programs and strengthen existing ones, ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of our learners and communities. We look forward to our continued relationship with MCURES in advancing access and opportunities in post-secondary education for all learners.”
- Mary Wabano-McKay
President and CAO, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig
“This investment strengthens Indigenous Institutes’ ability to deliver culturally grounded programming, and the wraparound supports learners rely on to succeed. It ensures students can pursue education close to home, remain connected to their communities, and build the skills needed to support local economic development and community well-being. At Anishinabek Educational Institute, this funding allows us to expand access and continue building programs that reflect the priorities of the Anishinabek Nation.”
- Mindy Taylor
Director of Education, Anishinabek Educational Institute
“FNTI is grateful for this historic investment that will stabilize and support Ontario’s Indigenous Institutes. This additional funding will greatly enhance FNTI’s operations, increase capacity to better support learners and provide additional seats to address the high demand across Ontario for new Indigenous post-secondary programming. I am grateful to Minister Quinn and the Government of Ontario for their continued support.”
- Suzanne Brant
President, First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI)
“This investment by Ontario marks an important and supportive step forward, enabling Kenjgewin Teg to advance our sovereignty-based place of learning, where the Anishinabek worldview is at the heart of how we support learners and communities through Indigenous-led post-secondary education. Ontario’s support represents another historic milestone toward long-term stability, sustainability, and growth for First Nation-controlled education in the province.”
- Dr. Beverley Roy
President, Kenjgewin Teg
“I would like to thank Minister Quinn for helping Indigenous Institutes remain competitive with colleges in Ontario, and by helping us provide all the best programs and resources for our students. This increase in funding will also help Iohahi:io continue to provide all the best student supports we are known for.”
- Norma Sunday
Associate Director, Postsecondary and Learning, Iohahi:io Akwesasne Education and Training Institute
“This announcement reflects the government’s commitment to reconciliation and underscores the importance of making postsecondary training accessible to community members within their own communities. Indigenous Institutes play a vital role in increasing training opportunities and creating pathways to meaningful employment for our people.”
- Erin Monture
Executive Director, Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre
“Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) was so pleased to hear of the additional support for Indigenous Institutes in Ontario. These resources will enhance SNP’s ability to engage in more long-term institutional planning and bring additional stability to human resource development for our organization. Overall, this investment in Indigenous Institutes supports us in continuing to provide Indigenous language and cultural preservation programming. It will also support additional programs and services that respond directly to community education and training needs, as well as student needs.”
- Rick Anderson
A/President and CEO, Six Nations Polytechnic
“Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) welcomes the Government of Ontario’s announcement of $57 million increased funding for Indigenous Institutes. This funding will enable SGEI to respond and support learner access to postsecondary education programs, make new programs and deliver on priorities in the Treaty #3 territory. Supporting our sustainable strategies and predicable funding is a catalyst for long-term impact to local and provincial jobs and economy.”
- Brent Tookenay
Chief Executive Officer, Seven Generations Education Institute
Growing demand underscores urgency
Demand for Indigenous-led education continues to rise, with enrolment at Indigenous Institutes increasing by 36 per cent since the 2020–21 academic year. The province notes that operating funding for these institutions will have more than doubled over the same period once the new investment is fully implemented.
Additional support has also been provided through targeted initiatives, including a $10 million investment in the First Nations Resource Development Scholarship through Budget 2025, aimed at preparing students for careers in the mining sector.
With the latest funding, Ontario is positioning Indigenous Institutes as a central pillar in its workforce development strategy, while advancing reconciliation through education and economic opportunity.