# Brandon University in Canada Makes Indigenous Language Courses Free for Students > Learning a new language is about more than just picking up new words. For lots of people, it’s a way to reconnect with family, understand their roots, and feel ![Brandon University in Canada Makes Indigenous Language Courses Free for Students](/media/2026/10/Positivity---2026-10-26T115735-365-c120f46f.webp) ## Learning a new language is about more than just picking up new words. For lots of people, it’s a way to reconnect with family, understand their roots, and feel a deeper tie to the culture that helped shape them. In Brandon, Manitoba, Brandon University is making this easier for Indigenous students. They’re waiving tuition fees for Indigenous language courses. Starting in fall 2026, Indigenous students can take select language classes at Brandon University without paying tuition. The school’s Board of Governors approved the waiver in January, opening the door for students to learn or reconnect with the languages of their ancestors. (Source: Brandon University announcement) ## Why Indigenous Languages Matter For Indigenous communities, language means so much—it’s the thread that carries stories, traditions, and a unique way of seeing the world through generations. When someone learns their ancestral tongue, it can bridge generations, linking them with Elders and reviving family histories and cultural practices. The reality: many Indigenous languages are at risk, with fewer fluent speakers every year. Making classes more accessible means more opportunities for new learners to build those skills and reclaim lost connections. Chris Lagimodiere, the university’s Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Initiatives, has talked a lot about why language matters—how it shapes the way people see the world. Brandon University is clear: learning these languages is a key part of supporting Indigenous knowledge and keeping cultures alive. By cutting tuition for these courses, the university is knocking down a financial hurdle for Indigenous students interested in exploring their languages. ## Seven Indigenous Languages Covered by the Tuition Waiver Right now, the waiver covers courses in seven Indigenous languages included in Manitoba’s Aboriginal Languages Recognition Act, whenever the university can offer them. Here they are: - Ininew (Cree) - Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) - Ansihininiimowin (Oji-Cree) - Dene Suline (Dene) - Dakota - Michif - Inuktitut The university doesn’t offer all seven every year—they rotate, depending on what’s available. For fall 2026, Michif classes are on, and Cree will be offered that spring. The waiver only applies to courses actually being taught, not every language all the time. Even so, this is a big step. The program gives students a way to start learning a language that might connect them with family or reflect who they are. ## Reconnecting With Indigenous Heritage Through Language The timing matters, too. Canada has a painful history with residential schools. Many Indigenous children were separated from their families and punished for speaking their languages. Those policies interrupted the way languages were passed from one generation to the next—a loss communities still feel deeply. For lots of Indigenous people, bringing their languages back is about more than words. It’s cultural renewal. It’s making sure traditions, teachings, and knowledge aren’t lost and can be handed down to future generations. ## A Step Toward Reconciliation at Brandon University Brandon University’s president, Christine Bovis-Cnossen, called the tuition waiver a step toward reconciliation. She acknowledged how schools previously played a role in trying to erase Indigenous languages. Now, the university is pledging to do better. This move fits with the school’s commitments under the Manitoba Indigenous Education Blueprint and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. It’s about honoring Indigenous knowledge and making room for it in higher education. Of course, dropping tuition doesn’t erase the harm from the past. But it offers real support to students who want to learn their languages—and helps keep those languages alive. ## Brandon University’s History of Supporting Indigenous Education This isn’t Brandon University’s first step in supporting Indigenous education, either. In 1975, it became Western Canada’s first university to create a Native Studies department (now called the Department of Turtle Island Studies). The school has added more Indigenous content to its programs and runs the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre, giving students a place to connect, find support, and take part in cultural activities. Today, Indigenous students make up about 17% of Brandon University’s student body—the fastest-growing group on campus. This tuition waiver is another way the university is backing both academic and cultural growth. ## How Language Revitalization Strengthens Communities Language revitalization takes time and teamwork. It’s not just up to schools—it’s families, Elders, teachers, and whole communities. Universities can help by offering classes, but the effect goes way beyond the classroom. Students who start learning Michif, Cree, or another language can suddenly talk to grandparents, dive into cultural teachings, or just feel more at home in their communities. As they grow, they pass that knowledge along to others. Brandon University’s decision is a practical example of what schools can do to help. By removing a financial barrier, they’re making it easier for students to reconnect with their heritage. > At the end of the day, saving a language isn’t just about preserving words. It’s about supporting the people, the stories, and everything those words carry. The more chances students have to learn their languages, the more hope there is that these connections will keep getting passed down, one generation after the next. Explore Related Topics Take the Positivity Quiz More in Good News Share this article ### Stay Inspired Get a daily dose of positivity delivered to your inbox. ### Discover More on Positivity What Is Positivity? 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