Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council

Please share with your students, family, and friends!

Seven Generations Education Institute
Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig - Shingwauk Teaching Lodge
Oshki Pimache O Win: The Wenjack Education Institute
FNTI
Iohahi:io Akwesasne Education and Training Institute
Anishinabek Educational Institute
Kenjgewin Teg
Six Nations Polytechnic
Ogwehoweh Skills Trades Training Centre

Indigenous Youth T-Shirt Design Contest
In recognition of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (September 30), IAESC is seeking a t-shirt design for our Orange Shirts. Deadline to submit your design is July 15, 2026.

These t-shirts will be shared with our staff, volunteers, Indigenous Institutes and partners. The winner will receive an Apple bundle featuring:
- Apple AirPods Max 2
- Apple iPad Air
- Apple Pencil Pro

To submit your design, you must be an Indigenous youth residing in Ontario between the ages of 12 to 25. AI generated submissions will not be accepted. One submission per person.

Scan the QR code or submit your design here: https://forms.office.com/r/6EJ9CBY7Cs

Each submission is a chance to win a prize pack! All submissions will be automatically entered to win 1 of 2 additional prize packs.

We thank all Indigenous youth for their time and consideration for this design.

This week, as we continue to celebrate Indigenous History Month, we reflect on the words of Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. We have a shared responsibility to continue to honour and speak to the history and truth of the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Fontaine’s leadership has played an important role in advancing national conversations about residential schools, reconciliation, and the importance of education in building a more honest and inclusive Canada. His words remind us that Indigenous knowledge, voices, and experiences must remain central to how we understand the history of Canada and how we choose to shape what comes next.

To learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, visit our website: https://iaesc.ca/applications/resouces/

The Indigenous Institutes Quality Assessment Board (IIQAB) supports the growth of Indigenous-led post-secondary education across Ontario.

Meeting quarterly, IIQAB reviews applications from Indigenous Institutes seeking approval to offer new accredited programs. Through a fair and transparent assessment process, IIQAB helps to ensure that programs are academically relevant, culturally grounded, and responsive to the needs, priorities, and aspirations of Indigenous learners and communities.

By recognizing Indigenous culture, languages, knowledge systems, and ways of knowing, IIQAB plays an important role in supporting high-quality postsecondary learning opportunities that reflect the identity, resiliency, and strength of Indigenous communities.

Learn more about IIQAB and its work on our website: https://iaesc.ca/applications/

June 1st marked the beginning of National Indigenous History Month. This is a meaningful month for many as it is a time to reflect on the history of Indigenous people in Canada, to hold deep gratitude for our teachings, culture and language - and to honour those who lead the way to make real and heartfelt positive change for future generations.

This week, we would like to honour the late Honourable Murray Sinclair. Murray Sinclair held a deep understanding of the power of education - recognizing the history of education being weaponized against Indigenous people, and the opportunity to travel the journey to reconciliation and create space for change.

His work as the Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada continues to remind us that the systemic barriers, gaps, and challenges faced by Indigenous people must be addressed. We encourage you to look at each of the Calls to Action specific to education, #6 to #12 and #63 to #66.

At IAESC, we continue to support the Indigenous Institutes as they build and care for institutional places of learning where education is grounded in truth, accountability, and respect for our people, culture and history.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action can be found on our website:
https://iaesc.ca/applications/resouces/

Indigenous Youth T-Shirt Design Contest
In recognition of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (September 30), IAESC is seeking a t-shirt design for our Orange Shirts. Deadline to submit your design is July 15, 2026.

These t-shirts will be shared with our staff, volunteers, Indigenous Institutes and partners. The winner will receive an Apple bundle featuring:
- Apple AirPods Max 2
- Apple iPad Air
- Apple Pencil Pro

To submit your design, you must be an Indigenous youth residing in Ontario between the ages of 12 to 25. AI generated submissions will not be accepted. One submission per person.

Scan the QR code or submit your design here: https://forms.office.com/r/6EJ9CBY7Cs

Each submission is a chance to win a prize pack! All submissions will be automatically entered to win 1 of 2 additional prize packs.

We thank all Indigenous youth for their time and consideration for this design.

Rooted in: Culture

Indigenous Institutes offer postsecondary programs at the certificate, diploma, degree and graduate level. Programs are culturally grounded and taught in spaces where students feel safe to connect with their language, culture and traditions.

Learn more at iaesc.ca/community/indigenous-institutes/

The Ontario government is expanding access to careers in the skilled trades in Northwestern Ontario by opening a local apprenticeship exam testing centre in Kenora. Through a new partnership with Seven Generations Education Institute and Skilled Trades Ontario, apprentices will be able to write their certification exams closer to home, helping more apprentices complete their training faster and build good-paying, in-demand careers in the North.

Ontario is expanding access to careers in the skilled trades in Northern Ontario.

The new exam testing centre in Kenora will help local apprentices write their exams closer to home, reducing costly delays while helping build a stronger Northern workforce.

Learn more: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007469/ontario-expands-access-to-skilled-trades-certification-in-northern-ontario

Last week, IAESC staff attended the language conference in Rama First Nation. This event was dedicated to celebrating, strengthening, and supporting Indigenous languages.

Opportunities like this create space for learning, connection, and meaningful conversations about the importance of language revitalization, cultural knowledge, and community-led education.
We are grateful to continue learning alongside Elders, language speakers, educators, and partners who are helping to preserve Indigenous languages for future generations./
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Oshki Pimache O Win: The Wenjack Education Institute recently welcomed partners from Paapiiwaaniimaan Grassy Narrows Mercury Care Home, Grassy Narrows Chief and Council, and Grassy Narrows First Nation to mark one year of their Living Classroom partnership.

Over the past year, this initiative has continued to support learner success, program growth, and community-based care connected to the future Mercury Care Home.

This is a great example of how Indigenous Institutes remain rooted in community connection. We look forward to seeing the continued success of this collaboration.

For more information on the post-secondary programs at Oshki-Pimache-O-Win, visit their website oshki.ca.

Today, IAESC recognizes Red Dress Day, a day to honour and remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People.

The red dress stands as a powerful symbol of absence, remembrance, and the ongoing call for justice. We hold space for the families, communities, and loved ones who continue to carry this grief, and we acknowledge the strength of those who continue to advocate, raise awareness, and demand change.

May we continue to listen, learn, remember, and take action.