Indspire and Rideau Hall Foundation Renew Transformative Collaboration to Champion Indigenous Teacher Education

Press Release

Thursday, December 4, 2025 – Ohsweken, ON – Indspire is proud to announce the renewal of its collaboration with the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF), marking a significant three-year commitment of $1,074,000 to empower the next generation of Indigenous educators across Canada.

As Canada’s leading national organization focused on Indigenous education and Indigenous excellence, Indspire is uniquely positioned to convene educators, partners, and thought leaders through its annual National Gathering for Indigenous Education, the largest event of its kind in the country. Bringing together over a thousand teachers, school administrators, Elders, and community partners, the Gathering serves as a national forum to share innovative practices, celebrate Indigenous success, and strengthen reconciliation in classrooms across Canada. With deep relationships in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and a proven record of advancing educational outcomes and facilitating Indigenous student success, Indspire continues to lead the way in transforming Indigenous education.

As the annual Teacher Education Supporter of the National Gathering, RHF will enable Indspire to support the next generation of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis educators. RHF’s investment ensures that Indigenous students enrolled in Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and Indigenous Teacher Education Programs (ITEPs) will have the opportunity to attend the National Gathering in 2025, 2026, and 2027, accessing tailored programming, cultural experiences, and mentorship opportunities that celebrate their identity and strengthen their future careers as teachers. To date, 450+ students have attended the National Gathering thanks to RHF’s support, with 160 of them recently attending the 2025 National Gathering in Winnipeg, MB, from November 19-21.

With annual support of $358,000, RHF provides sustained investment in the professional and cultural growth of Indigenous teacher candidates. This ongoing collaboration continues to advance Indigenous education and strengthen the network of Indigenous teachers transforming classrooms across Canada.

“Indigenous teachers bring knowledge, language, and community into classrooms. By gathering each year, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis teacher-candidates build a circle of support that strengthens their confidence, honours identity, and eases their path into teaching. We are grateful to continue this collaboration with Indspire, creating space for connection, learning, and inspiration for future educators. When Indigenous educators are supported and connected, students and communities grow.”
— Rachel Mishenene, Director, Indigenous Teacher Education Initiative, Rideau Hall Foundation

Mike DeGagné, President & CEO of Indspire, said: “This partnership is a powerful example of what’s possible when we collectively invest in the success of Indigenous youth and educators. The Rideau Hall Foundation’s renewed support enables us to create meaningful spaces for connection, learning, and leadership, helping new Indigenous educators thrive both professionally and culturally – and, ultimately, creating safer and more responsive learning spaces for future generations.”

Learn more about the National Gathering for Indigenous Education here.

About Indspire

Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that celebrates Indigenous excellence and invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs and shares resources so that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students will achieve their highest potential. In 2024-25, Indspire provided more than $31.6 million through over 8,800 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada.

About Rideau Hall Foundation

The Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) is an independent national charity that works to build a better Canada by supporting programming in learning, leadership, innovation, and civic engagement. Central to this work is a commitment to supporting Indigenous-led education to positively impact Indigenous students and Canada’s education landscape. Through our Indigenous Teacher Education (ITE) initiative, we invest in partnerships, research, and resources that support the recruitment, accreditation, and retention of K–12 First Nations, Inuit and Métis educators.

Contact

Mallory Rose
VP, Communications, Marketing, and Student Success, Indspire
mrose@indspire.ca
(416) 861-8507

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