Ontario Investing $57 Million to Support Indigenous Postsecondary Institutes’ Long-Term Success and Sustainability
Press Release
April 16, 2026
Province supporting sector with new funding model to ensure students have access to the education they need to launch in-demand careers
BRANTFORD — The Ontario government is investing a historic $57 million in Indigenous Institutes across the province, the largest single investment in Indigenous higher education in the province’s history. This funding will create hundreds of new seats in labour market-driven programs and maintain the long-term sustainability of Indigenous Institutes as part of the government’s $6.4 billion investment to protect students’ access to the education they need to launch successful careers.
“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.”
The new $57 million investment will nearly double operating funding for the nine Indigenous Institutes in Ontario, bringing the total to more than $50 million per year by 2028 and includes $33 million to expand up to 780 seats for in-demand programs. A call for proposals is now open to allocate the seats, with a specific focus on health care, education, trades, transportation, STEM and Indigenous languages. These seats will be open to students as early as January 2027, with a second call for proposals in fall 2026 for additional seats to come online in the 2027-28 academic year.
“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 and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships. “Advancing economic reconciliation means creating lasting pathways for Indigenous students to good-paying careers in in-demand sectors throughout the province.”
This investment is part of the government’s historic new long-term funding model that was announced earlier this year that will bring an additional $6.4 billion to universities, colleges and Indigenous Institutes across the province over four years. The funding will increase operating funding and support 70,000 new seats across the province to build long-term sustainability in the sector and better meet the needs of small, rural, northern, French-language and Indigenous institutes.
This funding will protect student access to the education they need to land rewarding, in-demand careers and ensure the province’s world-class institutions can continue producing one of the most competitive workforces in the G7 for generations to come.
Quick Facts
- Enrolment at Indigenous Institutes has grown by 36 per cent since 2020-21.
- This investment will increase operating funding for Indigenous Institutes by more than 100 per cent increase since 2020-21.
- This funding is part of the government’s historic $6.4 billion to support the postsecondary sector’s long-term success and sustainability, the largest investment in postsecondary education in Ontario and Canadian history.
- Through Budget 2025, Ontario invested $10 million in the First Nations Resource Development Scholarship that equips First Nations students with access to the tools and training needed to succeed as leaders and innovators in the mining sector.
Quotes
“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
Additional Resources
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Media Contacts
Bianca Giacoboni
Minister’s Office
bianca.giacoboni@ontario.ca
Media Desk
Communications Branch
mcures.media@ontario.ca
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