Julia Magsombol

Lakeside Leader

Six of the 27 First Nation education authorities who received a provincial mental health grant are in the Lesser Slave Lake region.

The local divisions are:

Bigstone Education Authority (Wabasca-Desmarais),

Kapawe’no First Nation (Grouard)

Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Education Authority (Loon, Peerless, and Trout Lake, and Atikameg)

Swan River First Nation (Kinuso)

Woodland Cree First Nation Education Authority (Cadotte Lake)

The provincial government is providing funds to First Nations students to support their mental health and well-being.

According to the Alberta press release, the $4.2 million grant can be applied by First Nations People with on-reserve schools. This funding is intended for the 2025 to 2026 school year.

The grant covers two areas for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12: Specialized Learning and Mental Health Supports.

Specialized Learning funds support students with hearing, vision, emotional, and behavioural needs. It also includes family school liaisons and physical therapy.

Mental health supports include social and emotional education in classrooms, as well as additional in-school counsellors.

“This funding ensures that resources are going where they’re needed most – into the hands of communities who know their students best,” says Rajan Sawhney, the Minister of Indigenous Relations. “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.”

For more information, visit the press release at alberta.ca.