Equitable, adequate and sustained funding for education is essential to provide quality programs for children to enable them to succeed. Inequitable funding leads to a poorer quality learning environment. For example, it can result in a lack of technology, inadequate infrastructure, no playgrounds, etc.

The Federal Government is responsible for on-reserve education. It operates seven federal schools on reserve, and funds approximately 518 band-operated elementary and secondary schools, serving 60% of First Nations students on reserve.¹ However, funding for Indigenous education systems is inequitable, especially in rural and remote communities. While band-operated schools are required to develop and deliver educational services comparable to those in provincial/territorial jurisdictions, they are forced to do so without the same supports as mainstream schools.¹

The federal government also funds early childhood programs, such as Aboriginal Head Start (on and off reserve) and the First Nations and Inuit Child Care Initiatives.

Education for Indigenous students who live off reserve is the responsibility of provincial/ territorial governments. Therefore, the extent to which they meet the needs of Indigenous children and youth varies widely across jurisdictions.

¹National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health. (2017). Education as a social determinant of First Nations, Inuit and Métis health -accessed November 14, 2018.