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The education trade union movement supports Indigenous Peoples and works to promote their rights in education all around the world. To mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, celebrated every year on 9 August (the date of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations, held in Geneva in 1982), Worlds of Education interviewed Isabelle Tremblay Chevalier, Advisor on Social and Professional Action in charge of relations with First Nations and Inuit communities at the Centrale des Syndicats du Québec (CSQ).

Worlds of Education: What are the challenges facing Quebec’s Indigenous Peoples in education?

Education is a fundamental right and an essential tool for the development and fulfilment of individuals and communities. Yet Quebec’s Indigenous communities continue to face significant obstacles in this area.

The history of Indigenous Peoples’ schooling in Quebec is marked by policies of assimilation and marginalisation. The residential schools that operated until the end of the 20th century have left deep scars. These institutions, which sought to erase Indigenous cultures and languages, caused intergenerational traumas that persist to this day.

Indigenous Peoples still face significant challenges in education. The lack of culturally relevant resources is a major challenge for schools in Indigenous communities and in the school service centres ^[1] that enrol large numbers of Indigenous pupils.

Another major issue is the loss of reference points when it comes to learning language and culture. School curricula do not sufficiently reflect Indigenous languages and cultures, which can lead pupils to lose their bearings. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the drop-out rate among young Indigenous people is so high – it’s partly due to their difficult socio-economic conditions and a lack of tailored support.

Worlds of Education: What measures have been implemented in this area and what kind of initiatives is the CSQ developing?

A number of initiatives are underway to improve education for Indigenous People in Quebec. In some schools, for example, tutoring programmes have been set up to provide additional support for Indigenous pupils. We are also stepping up collaboration with communities to integrate Indigenous cultures and languages into school curricula, to foster a more inclusive and respectful learning environment.

The CSQ plays an active role in supporting education for Indigenous Peoples. It regularly denounces the government’s failure to take action and demands adequate funding in response to the calls for action included in the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, particularly in the field of education. Furthermore, the CSQ is taking part in the work of the Round Table on the Educational Success of Indigenous Students. It has also set up a platform to raise awareness about Indigenous cultures and realities, to help education staff better understand and meet the needs of Indigenous students, and has published two guides for education professionals working and living in Cree and Inuit communities. Finally, to encourage students to stay in school, the union has set up five annual bursaries of $750 each for Indigenous students in upper secondary education.

The CSQ also engages in advocacy efforts to raise awareness about Indigenous education issues among political decision-makers and the public. We organise awareness campaigns and take part in discussions with the authorities to promote more inclusive and equitable education policies.

Worlds of Education: In terms of advocacy, the CSQ is working to secure access to drinking water and running water. How does this affect Indigenous Peoples and their right to education?

Access to clean, running water is a fundamental right, yet many Indigenous communities in Quebec and Canada still live without this essential service. Some of the main reasons are the ageing infrastructure, inadequate funding, and contaminated water sources. This has serious repercussions for the health, well-being and quality of life of the members of these communities, especially with the development of water-borne diseases and hygiene-related complications. It also impacts education, as schools are forced to close until the problem is resolved. Recently, a teacher in the Nunavik region shared how he had been unable to shower for several days in a row and had missed a number of days at school.

The CSQ publicly denounces the situation, which particularly affects Indigenous communities in Northern Quebec, and has condemned the inaction of the provincial and federal governments for many years. We recently launched a national mobilisation campaign: The right to water: it’s only natural!

CSQ members across Quebec have sent almost 30,000 postcards to elected representatives to denounce the situation and demand concrete action. This campaign will continue throughout the 2025-2026 school year, along with other national actions. Together, we must act to ensure that everyone has access to water.

Our union intends to continue playing a crucial role in these areas, by speaking up publicly, denouncing the situation to governments, setting up campaigns and raising public awareness in order to find lasting solutions. Through our commitment and our actions, we can make a significant contribution to a more equitable and just future for Indigenous Peoples.