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By rdnewsNOW staff

Provincial education

Government providing $4.2 million for learning and mental health supports in First Nations schools

Aug 18, 2025 | 2:23 PM

The Government of Alberta has appointed $4.2 million to improve learning and mental health supports for First Nations students in the province.

As a result, the province is going to ensure First Nations students have the supports they need in on-reserve schools by providing 27 different First Nations with up to $4.6 million for the 2025-26 school year.

This includes the Maskwacis Education Schools Commission, the O’Chiese Education Authority, the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, and Sunchild First Nation to name a few.

It also includes Bigstone Education Authority, Cold Lake First Nation, Dene Tha’ First Nation, Driftpile Cree Nation, Fort McKay First Nation, Frog Lake First Nation, Heart Lake First Nation, Kainai Board of Education, Kapawe’no First Nation, Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Education Authority, Kehewin Cree Nation, Kitaskinaw Education Authority, Little Red River Board of Education, Mikisew Cree First Nation, Paul Band Education Authority, Peigan Board of Education Society, Siksika Board of Education, Stoney Tribal Administration, Swan River First Nation, Tallcree Tribal Government, Tsuut’ina Nation Education Department, Whitefish Lake Education Authority, and Woodland Cree First Nation Education Authority.

“Strong mental health and learning supports are crucial to helping students build resilience and succeed in school,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare. “We’re proud to work with First Nations education partners and communities to support the success and well-being of First Nations students. This grant will empower communities to deliver the learning and mental health supports that are right for their students.”

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Some of the specialized learning supports eligible for funding includes hearing, vision and complex communication needs. It also includes emotional and behavioural needs, family school liaisons, and occupational and physical therapy.

In addition, mental health supports eligible for funding include staff training on social-emotional learning, hiring a wellness coach or counsellor to offer in-school support, and providing social-emotional education in classrooms.

“This grant will give students on First Nations another tool in their toolbox to set them up for success,” Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction. “Building mental wellness in youth not only improves academic outcomes but lays a foundation for a lifetime of positive mental health practices.”

Furthermore, through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is providing public school boards with almost $94 million in the 2025-26 school year to support self-identified First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.