Projects

Advancing Our Collective Work

Informed by feedback from our members, IAHLA is working to support IAHLA institutes and advance Indigenous post-secondary and adult education in BC.

Learner Experience Survey

The IAHLA Learner Experience Survey collects feedback from learners enrolled at member institutes about their educational experiences, programs, supports, services, and barriers to success.

The information gathered helps IAHLA and member institutes better understand learner needs and identify opportunities to strengthen programs and supports across the sector.

The 2026 IAHLA Learner Experience Survey is now closed. A system wide report will be available soon. See the archived reports.

Indigenous Language Proficiency/Fluency Degree

IAHLA, working with the First Nations Education Steering Committee, has administered provincial funding to six IAHLA Member Institutes to develop and deliver language fluency degrees that align with the Indigenous Language Fluency Degree Framework.

With an exclusive focus on fluency, these degrees are the first of their kind, and the result of collaboration between First Nations, First Nation mandated institutes, and public post-secondary institutions. In 2024/25 IAHLA celebrated the graduation of the first cohorts of fluent language speakers from W̱SÁNEĆ College and En’owkin
Centre.

BC Tripartite Post-Secondary Education Model

Since 2018, FNESC and IAHLA have been working under the direction of BC First Nations on the development of a BC Tripartite Post-Secondary Model (BC PSE Model), which will fundamentally transform the post-secondary education system in BC. Through engagement with First Nations and First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes, efforts are being made to ensure that the BC PSE Model addresses the needs and priorities identified by First Nations. Work on the Model has been formally endorsed by First Nations leadership through resolutions passed by the First Nations Summit, BC Assembly of First Nations, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

The draft BC PSE Model has four pillars:

First Nations Learners
First Nations-Mandated Post-Secondary Institutes
Community-Based Program Delivery
Respectful and Responsive Public Post-Secondary System

CONNECT
With IAHLA

IAHLA is governed by Board members representing First Nations Mandated Institutes. IAHLA member institutes offer a broad spectrum of post-secondary and adult education courses and programs.

The IAHLA Board of Directors is now accepting new applications for IAHLA membership. For more information on the process to become an IAHLA member you may contact us.