Barriers to University Enrollment for Indigenous Students in Canada

Authors

  • Abiah Ann Sara Thompson Rivers University
  • Ashna Annu Philip Thompson Rivers University

Abstract

Indigenous students in Canada face systemic, cultural, and economic barriers that significantly hinder their access, persistence, and success in higher education. This paper examines critical issues, including institutional racism, microaggressions, culturally irrelevant curricula, historical trauma, geographic isolation, and financial hardships. Systemic racism and inadequate support services marginalize Indigenous students, leading to high dropout rates, while the lack of culturally reflective curricula fosters disengagement. Historical trauma, rooted in the legacy of residential schools and settler colonialism, perpetuates exclusion, further limiting educational attainment. Students from rural and remote communities encounter additional challenges due to isolation and limited local resources, compounded by rising tuition costs and insufficient financial aid. Based on Indigenous perspectives, this research highlights the significance of resolving these disparities through targeted financing policies, recruiting more Indigenous faculty, anti-racism training, and sufficient support networks. Universities in Canada can promote inclusivity, reconciliation, and fair access to higher education for Indigenous students by putting these recommendations into practice.

Keywords: Indigenous Students; Higher Education; Systemic Barriers; Reconciliation; Canada

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Published

2026-06-17

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Literature Review/Revue de la documentation

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