We acknowledge that the land on which we offer these programs is the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. This land is also home to the Otipeiswak Metis Government of Alberta, Districts 4, 5, and 6.

At Bow Valley College, Indigenous Foundational Learning supports First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in building the literacy, numeracy, and essential skills needed for high school upgrading or employment. Our programs offer a holistic, culturally grounded approach that fosters personal well-being, community connection, and academic growth.

Who should apply?

Applicants should

• Have First Nations, Métis, or Inuit ancestry (status or non-status)
• Demonstrate basic literacy (via placement test or transcripts)
• Be able to attend classes on campus
• Be ready and willing to participate in all program components

Program Options

We offer two Indigenous-focused programs:

• Indigenous Foundational Learning
• Indigenous Pathways to Upgrading & Employment

Financial Support

Our programs are eligible for funding through Alberta’s Foundational Learning Assistance program. Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

Minimum Technology Requirements

To participate fully, students must have regular access to:

• A desktop or laptop computer with a keyboard
• A reliable internet connection
• A camera and microphone
• MS Teams and Desire2Learn (D2L) access
• A myBVC email account
• The ability to open and edit Word and PDF documents
• The ability to create documents of 500+ words

If you do not own a computer, funding may be available to help you buy one.