05/29/2026
📚 YOUR BAND SAID NO TO EDUCATION FUNDING — HERE IS WHAT YOU DO NEXT 📚
This post is for every First Nations person who was told there is no money, they don't qualify, or they are not a priority for education funding from their band.
I have been there. I know how that feels. And I am here to tell you — YOUR BAND IS NOT YOUR ONLY OPTION. 👇
There are real programs out there that you can access WITHOUT going through your Chief and Council. Let me break them down for you right now.
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✅ OPTION 1 — ISET PROGRAM
(Indigenous Skills and Employment Training)
This is one of the BIGGEST and most underused programs for our people.
• Funded by the Government of Canada through Employment and Social Development Canada
• Covers tuition, books, tools, safety tickets, childcare, travel, and living expenses during training
• Available for certificates, diplomas, trades, university degrees, and upgrading
• Open to First Nations (status and non-status), Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous people
• You do NOT have to go through your band to access this
• Available on and off reserve, in cities, rural areas, and remote communities
How to find your local ISET provider 👇
Go to: canada.ca and search "ISET service delivery organizations" — find the one nearest you in Alberta or your province and contact them directly.
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✅ OPTION 2 — INDSPIRE
(National Indigenous-Led Charity)
Indspire is run BY Indigenous people FOR Indigenous people. They have given out over $115 million in funding to more than 37,500 students across Canada.
• Open to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students
• Covers university degrees, diplomas, certificates, trades, and apprenticeships
• Applications open THREE TIMES per year — deadlines are February 1, August 1, and November 1
• You apply directly at: indspire.ca — no band involvement required
• The Government of Canada MATCHES every dollar Indspire raises, doubling the impact
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✅ OPTION 3 — ISC INDIGENOUS BURSARIES SEARCH TOOL
Indigenous Services Canada has a FREE online tool listing over 500 bursaries, scholarships and incentives across Canada — just for Indigenous students.
• Search by your location, program of study, or Indigenous group
• Many of these awards do NOT require band council involvement
• Some are for trades, some for health, some for business, some for law — every field
• Find it at: sac-isc.gc.ca and search "Indigenous bursaries search tool"
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✅ OPTION 4 — ALBERTA FIRST NATIONS, MÉTIS AND INUIT BURSARY
(Alberta students only)
• Non-repayable bursary — you do NOT pay it back
• Up to $7,000 for certificate and diploma students
• Up to $11,500 per year for bachelor's, master's, or PhD students
• You need proof of Indigenous status — a status card or a letter from your band, settlement, or an Indigenous organization you are involved with
• Apply at alberta.ca — search "First Nations Métis Inuit bursary"
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✅ OPTION 5 — YOUR SCHOOL'S INDIGENOUS STUDENT CENTRE
Every college and university in Canada has an Indigenous student services office or gathering place. This is one of the most overlooked resources available.
• They know EVERY scholarship and bursary tied to that school
• They help you apply for funding
• They provide counselling, cultural support, and emergency funds
• They are there for YOU — walk in and introduce yourself on your first week
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✅ OPTION 6 — CANADA STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
(Student Loans and Grants)
If you are not getting band funding, you are eligible for the regular federal and provincial student loan and grant system.
• Apply through Alberta Student Aid at studentaid.alberta.ca
• Indigenous students often qualify for GRANTS that do not need to be repaid
• You can access this AND other Indigenous-specific funding at the same time in some cases
• Low income students receive the most grant money — which likely applies to many of us
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Here is the truth that needs to be said out loud 👇
Many of our bands receive money from ISC specifically to fund post-secondary students. But because of the 2% funding cap that was held over communities for decades, many bands never had enough. And some councils use what little there is to fund their own families first.
That is the reality. I am not here to trash our leadership — I am here to make sure OUR PEOPLE know that the system is bigger than one band office.
Education is our Treaty right. 🦅 Don't let anyone — inside or outside our community — block you from claiming it.
Share this post. Tag a young person who needs to see this. Drop a ❤️ if this helped you today.
💬 Were you ever denied education funding by your band? What happened? Let's talk about it in the comments.
