Indspire Launches new Strategic Plan, Lighting Paths for Indigenous Learners
Friday, October 2, 2026 – Ohsweken, ON – Indspire launched its new 5-year Strategic Plan, setting a direction that builds on our strong foundation to ignite Indigenous learner potential, celebrate excellence, and strengthen pathways to opportunity and leadership.
Guided by a new North Star – Lighting the paths where Indigenous potential becomes possibility, excellence, and achievement – the 2026-2031 Strategic Plan reflects Indspire’s recommitment and improved supports for the many pathways First Nations, Inuit, and Métis learners may take to achieve their dreams throughout their lives.
“Indspire’s new Strategic Plan comes at a moment marked by global uncertainty and rapid change. The plan affirms Indspire’s purpose: to ignite Indigenous potential, celebrate Indigenous excellence, and build enduring pathways to learning, leadership, and contribution,” said Jocelyn Formsma, President & CEO of Indspire. “This investment in Indigenous learners will help them not only navigate the future, but help shape it with confidence, courage, and vision.”
The plan sets out four strategic priorities:
► Ignite Indigenous Learner Potential by removing barriers, expanding access, and enabling Indigenous learners to transform potential into excellence, and achievement.
► Celebrate and Elevate Indigenous Excellence by strengthening Indspire recognition initiatives, such as the flagship Indspire Awards, that honour achievement, inspire Indigenous learners, and amplify Indigenous leadership across generations.
► Strengthen Pathways to Opportunity and Leadership by creating clear, connected pathways through new and existing programs that link learning to opportunity, leadership, and meaningful contribution.
► Lead Through Relationship, Knowledge, and Influence by acting as a trusted national connector to advance Indigenous education through relationships, evidence, and influence.
The plan was developed through Board leadership with direct input from Building Brighter Futures recipients, donors, Indspire Award Laureates, partners, funders, staff. It is built on more than three decades of investment in Indigenous education and recognition of Indigenous excellence.
Explore the full 2026–2031 Strategic Plan
About Indspire
Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that celebrates Indigenous excellence and invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs, and conducts leading research so First Nations, Inuit, and Métis learners can achieve their highest potential. Since 1996, Indspire has provided more than $313 million through over 93,000 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada.
Contact
Mallory Rose – VP, Communications and Marketing
mrose@indspire.ca
(416) 861-8507
