Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy
Financial assistance to support Métis Nation students pursuing post-secondary education.
Funding
To ensure that Métis Nation post-secondary students have the same opportunities for success as other students in Canada, Budget 2019 has been investing $362 million over 10 years, beginning in fiscal year 2019 to 2020, and $40 million ongoing for the Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy. The strategy was designed in 2019 specifically through engagement coordinated by the Métis National Council and its governing members.
On this page
About the strategy
This strategy reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to a renewed relationship with the Métis Nation, 1 framed by principles of reconciliation, including:
- recognition of rights
- respect
- cooperation
- partnership
- self-determination
The goal of the strategy is to close the post-secondary education attainment gap between Métis Nation students and non-Indigenous students in Canada through distinctions-based and regionally delivered strategic support. This transformational approach includes:
Student financial support
Funding is allocated annually for direct financial support for Métis Nation post-secondary students. Eligible expenses include:
- transcript and application fees
- tuition and other students fees
- initial professional certification and examination fees
- books and supplies
- supplemental tutorial, guidance and counseling services
- living expenses, including for dependents, if applicable
- transportation supports when needed
- expenses associated with travel home, including for dependents, as applicable
- child care as needed
Programs and services
Funding is allocated annually for activities based on local needs assessments to promote students' pursuit of post-secondary education and the attainment of a credential. These include:
- academic readiness and support
- wraparound services to students and their families such as:
- student-peer mentorship
- career counselling
- clinical and mental health services
- Elder guidance
- Knowledge Keepers
- student cultural support
- outreach and navigation services
- cultural education and life-skills development, including fostering awareness and cultural belongings as a citizen of the historic Métis Nation
- information technology and remote locations access to allow students the opportunity to complete distance education or online courses from their home communities
Governance capacity
Funding is allocated annually to strengthen Métis Nation education governance capacity, including current post-secondary education course offerings and programs now being provided by the Métis Nation and further developing and strengthening post-secondary education partnerships and networks. Eligible expenses include:
- management of processes and systems to support program delivery
- data collection and management
- needs assessment and analysis
- engagement and partnerships
- knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices
- bilateral or tripartite discussions
- development of culturally relevant content or curricula, as required
- post-secondary education trends and research analysis
Who can apply
Initial recipients
Initial recipients eligible to have a contribution agreement with Indigenous Services Canada are:
- Manitoba Métis Federation
- Métis Nation British Columbia
- Métis Nation Saskatchewan
- Métis Nation of Alberta
- Métis Nation of Ontario
- Métis National Council
Each initial recipient will determine the mechanisms for funding distribution to the eligible ultimate recipients.
Ultimate recipients
Those who are eligible to receive funding distributed by the initial recipients are:
- Métis Nation students who reside in Canada
- community education organizations and regional service providers including, but not limited to:
- child care services
- employment programs
- mental health supports
- post-secondary institutions generally recognized through an accrediting body such as:
- Universities Canada
- Colleges and Institutes Canada
- other professional associations and certification boards
Deadline
Métis Nation students, service providers and post-secondary institutions who are interested in accessing available funding must consult the appropriate strategy's initial recipient:
How to apply
In the spirit of Métis-control of Métis post-secondary education, Métis Nation students, service providers and post-secondary institutions must contact the appropriate strategy's initial recipient to learn more about how to access the Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy funding and the eligibility criteria:
- Manitoba Métis Federation
- Métis Nation British Columbia
- Métis Nation Saskatchewan
- Métis Nation of Alberta
- Métis Nation of Ontario
To learn more about accessing Post-Secondary Education funding, consult the Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy: National Guidelines 2024 to 2025.
Additional financial assistance for Métis Nation students
The Government of Canada works with most provincial or territorial governments to support Indigenous students in achieving their post-secondary educational goals.
The Canada Student Financial Assistance Program offers grants and loans to full-time and part-time students to help pay for their post-secondary education.
For more information, please visit: Canada Student Grants and Loans.
You might also be interested in learning about other financial assistance that may be available to you: