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Digital Skills Bursary Fund

Financial barriers are the biggest challenge Indigenous learners face when pursuing digital skills training. With your help, the Digital Skills Bursary Fund increases access to our Indigenous-designed digital skills training, creating important opportunities for Indigenous participation and leadership in technology.

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Indigenous Designed Digital Skills Training

The First Nations Technology Council is an Indigenous-led, innovative non-profit mandated by First Nations leadership in British Columbia. We work to advance digital literacy, improve internet connectivity and provide guidance on data and digital technology for all 204 First Nations across the province.

Grounded in Indigenous culture, wisdom, and ways of being, our digital skills training programs take a tailored approach to education. We also offer learners financial and cultural support, equipment, and career services. To date, we've served over 1,300 Indigenous Peoples across BC and observed a 73% completion rate—35% higher than non-Indigenous training programs among Indigenous Learners.

35
%

higher completion rate than non-Indigenous-led programs

350

learners per year is our goal

1,300
+

learners trained to-date

18

courses to choose from

73
%

of graduates are applying their skills in new ways

Connecting Indigenous Peoples to a Digital Future

In BC, there are more than 120,000 tech jobs, but less than 1% are held by people who identify as Indigenous. Unfortunately, financial barriers are the most significant challenge preventing Indigenous Peoples from pursuing tech training opportunities according to our recent multi-year labour market study.

With your help, the Digital Skills Bursary Fund increases access to our Indigenous-designed digital skills training, creating important opportunities for Indigenous participation and leadership in technology.

  • "Today, I am actively working with the Nisga’a Lisims Government’s Internet and Technology Services division to connect Nisga’a Nation’s four villages—Gitlaxt'aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgaltsap, and Gingolx—to fibre optic."
    - Cody Moore, Networking Technician
    Cody's Story
  • "My time at the Technology Council embedded the belief in me that I can learn anything new if I put my mind to it. I was given a whole new perspective on what was possible. Not just career-wise, but what was possible with my abilities."
    - Ryan Voght, Software Developer
    Ryan's Story

To make an online donation and receive a charitable tax receipt, click the button below.

You will be directed to our Charitable Impact page.
Donate Here

To make an online contribution and receive a transaction receipt only, click the button below.

You will be directed to our online payment portal.
Contribute Here

To make an offline contribution, cheques can be mailed to:

First Nations Technology Council
70 Orwell St unit 102
North Vancouver, BC V7J 3R5

Please reference “Digital Skills Bursary Fund” in the note section on your cheque.

For companies or philanthropic organizations wishing to make a larger contribution, typically $25,000 and up, please contact us below.

Contact Us

Our Partners

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our sustaining partners for the Digital Skills Bursary Fund.