(September 3, 2026 – Treaty 7 Territory, Calgary, Alberta) – As Canadian children return to school, the Assembly of First Nations has released a study highlighting the large and growing infrastructure gap facing First Nations children and families. In response, the AFN National Chief is calling on the federal government to honour the Crown through deeds and investments in the 2026 federal budget.
“This report establishes clearly that the education infrastructure gap is undeniable and unacceptable,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “This is not simply about buildings. The infrastructure gap creates overcrowding and serious health and safety risks for First Nations learners and staff. First Nations children can’t learn in an unsafe, insecure environment and teachers can’t teach without a home. It’s in the best interests of Canada and First Nations to take immediate action to invest in success for First Nations students and educators.”
The First Nations Education Infrastructure Capital and Operations and Maintenance Needs Assessment report includes cost estimates for the total capital and operations and maintenance needs for 395 schools and 1,222 teacherages located on reserve across Canada. Among other things, the report confirms:
- Over 225 First Nations schools are overcrowded based on Canada’s own School Space Accommodation Standards, an increase of 25 since 2021
- 77 First Nations schools require immediate replacement, an increase of 21 since 2021
- Adequate teacher housing is essential for recruiting and retaining qualified educators
In the face of this growing gap, however, Canada has not provided adequate new capital investment to address First Nations education infrastructure needs. The same is true for adult First Nations education and training. The result has accelerated the deterioration of facilities, higher future construction costs, lost potential, and health and safety risks that no child should face.
“The most effective way to secure the future success of First Nations children and our economy is to invest in education and skills training – starting at an early age and continuing through adult learning,” said the National Chief. “Because Canada’s education system was used as a tool to erase our cultures, take our languages and break our spirit, today education must be a tool that empowers First Nations and uplifts our children.”
Details from the AFN Assessment confirm $19 billion in capital investment is needed over the next 20 years and $550 million annually for operations is required to close the First Nations education gap. The full report and supporting information are available here.
Speaking to delegates attending the AFN Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) First Nations Agreement Holders National Annual Meeting in Calgary, the National Chief added, “This report is a clear call for Canada to make a lasting investment in First Nations children and families. More than half of the Calls to Action presented by the Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners focused on education. As the late Justice Murray Sinclair said: Education got us into this mess. Education will get us out.”
The Assessment has informed the AFN’s 2026 pre-budget submission to Parliament, which sets out priorities across the education continuum, beginning with K-12, continuing through post-secondary education and adult education, to ensure First Nations learners have the same opportunities as every other student in Canada. In July, Chiefs attending the AFN’s Annual General Assembly approved a policy resolution calling for education to be a key topic at October’s First Ministers’ Meeting on First Nations issues.
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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. Follow AFN on X @AFN_Updates.
Contact information:
Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
[email protected]