The institutes offer a broad spectrum of courses and programs that include college and university programs leading to certificates, diploma and degrees; Adult Basic Education leading to the Adult Dogwood Diploma for secondary school completion; First Nations language instruction; occupation-specific training and upgrading; and a broad spectrum of lifespan learning programs that support First Nations people, communities, languages and cultures.

IAHLA institutes also work in collaboration with may of BC’s public post-secondary colleges, institutes and universities to deliver programming.

In alignment with Pillar Two of the BC First Nations Tripartite Post-Secondary Education Model, IAHLA and FNESC met regularly with PSFS at the PSE Policy and Legislation Table to jointly develop the First Nations Mandated Post-Secondary Institutes Act (The Act). The Act recognizes the integral role of First Nations mandated institutes and commits the Province to providing ongoing operational and capacity funding for eligible institutes, addressing Item 1.8 in the Declaration Act Action Plan. In May 2024, the Act received royal assent in the BC legislature, marking a milestone achievement for First Nations Mandated Institutes. IAHLA, working with FNESC, is co-developing the necessary policies and procedures to bring the legislation into force.