The Government of Canada's overarching goal is to provide First Nation students with quality education that provides them with the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to enter the labour market and be full participants in a strong Canadian economy.

In 2010-11, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) invested approximately $1.5 billion in First Nation K-12 education funding and $317 million in post-secondary education to support First Nation and Inuit students across Canada. This funding was in addition to the approximately $304 million to support infrastructure costs for education facilities. This funding supported approximately 117,500 students in kindergarten to grade 12 and 22,000 post secondary students.

For further information on completed school projects over $1.5 million from 2010-2014 funded by Canada's Economic Action Plan and the Gas Tax Fund, please view this detailed chart. Also, take the opportunity to view school projects across the regions in this photo gallery.

In Economic Action Plan 2012  , the Government committed to work with willing partners to introduce a First Nation Education Act that will establish the structures and standards to support strong and accountable education systems on reserve. Budget 2012 invested $100 million over three years to help ensure readiness for the new First Nations education system to be outlined in legislation by September 2014. The budget also committed $175 million to new school projects.

Following the Crown-First Nations Gathering   and as part of Economic Action Plan 2012, the Government committed to develop new legislation for First Nation elementary and secondary education on reserve.

Did you know?

• AANDC provides direct financial support for elementary and secondary education for First Nations living on reserve, and post-secondary education support for First Nation and Inuit students.
• AANDC delivers a number of important education programs, including: the First Nation Student Success Program and the Education Partnerships Program. 
• The Government of Canada has signed tripartite education agreements in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Quebec (First Nation Education Council) and Saskatchewan (Saskatoon Tribal Council).
• Elementary and secondary school support for First Nation students living off reserve, as well as Métis, Inuit and non-status Indians, is provided through provincial and territorial school systems.
• All Aboriginal students, regardless of whether they are First Nation, Métis or Inuit, can also seek funding for post-secondary education through CanLearn   and the Canada Student Loans and Grants program  .
• The Government of Canada sponsors an Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool that lists over 600 scholarships, bursaries, and other incentives offered by governments, universities, and industry to support Aboriginal post-secondary participation.
• The Government of Canada is developing an Education Information System (EIS) – a single data system to track performance and measure success - to support continuous improvement.