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The Alberta government is providing 27 First Nations with up to $4.6 million for the 2025-26 school year to improve learning and mental health supports.
First Nations with at least one on-reserve school were invited to apply for the Specialized Learning and Mental Health Supports for First Nations Grant in May.
“This grant will give students on First Nations another tool in their toolbox to set them up for success. Building mental wellness in youth not only improves academic outcomes but lays a foundation for a lifetime of positive mental health practices,” said Rick Wilson, Alberta Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.
Recipients will receive funding for the upcoming school year and will have the flexibility to use the dollars in a way that best supports their students.
“This funding ensures that resources are going where they’re needed most – into the hands of communities who know their students best. By supporting specialized learning and mental health initiatives, we’re helping First Nations students thrive in school and beyond. These grants reflect our commitment to building brighter futures for Indigenous youth across Alberta,” said Rajan Sawhney, Alberta Minister of Indigenous Relations.
The Alberta government is also providing public school boards with almost $94 million in the 2025-26 school year to support self-identified First Nations, MĂ©tis and Inuit students.
Specialized learning supports eligible for funding include, but are not limited to hearing, vision and complex communication needs, emotional and behavioural needs, family school liaisons and occupational and physical therapy.
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.
The grants are being awarded to (with funds remaining available to additional eligible First Nations):
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- 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
- Maskwacis Education Schools Commission
- Mikisew Cree First Nation
- O’Chiese Education Authority
- Paul Band Education Authority
- Peigan Board of Education Society
- Siksika Board of Education
- Stoney Tribal Administration
- Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
- Sunchild First Nation
- Swan River First Nation
- Tallcree Tribal Government
- Tsuut’ina Nation Education Department
- Whitefish Lake Education Authority
- Woodland Cree First Nation Education Authority
“This grant supports programming at Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Education Authority that improves the student experience and contributes to greater student engagement and outcomes,” said Daphne Mai’Stoina, superintendent, Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Education Authority.
“This funding enables us to provide programs such as equine assisted learning, occupational therapy, and mental health and family liaison supports that increase family engagement in education and student attendance.”
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