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Indigenous Initiatives

Indigenous Identity Confirmation

In response to a recommendation from the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy, Bi-Naagwad | It Comes Into View, and following an engagement process with First Nations, Inuit and Métis students, staff, faculty and community members, U of G has implemented an Indigenous identity confirmation process for some student awards, scholarships, bursaries and opportunities.

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Confirmation Process

Prepare your submission from one of the options below:

Option 1: Documentary Evidence

Submit one of the following documents:

  1. A copy of the front and back of one of the following, that is valid and not expired:
    • Indian status card issued by the Government of Canada;
    • Métis citizenship card from the
      • Métis Nation-Saskatchewan,
      • Métis Nation of Alberta,
      • Métis Nation British Columbia
      • Métis Nation of Ontario
      • Manitoba Métis Federation,
      • Northwest Territory Métis Nation; or
      • Métis Settlements General Council showing connection to a Métis Settlement of Alberta;
    • Inuit enrolment card issued by any one of the four Inuit modern treaty bodies including Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik or Inuvialuit;
    • Land claim beneficiary card; or
    • American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian citizenship document from tribes that are state or federally recognized
  2. A copy of the front and back of a parent’s or grandparent’s Indian status card, Métis citizenship card, Inuit enrolment card, land claim beneficiary card or US tribal citizenship documentation, as outlined above, along with the individuals’ long-form birth certificate or baptismal certificate that shows family connection
  3. A letter from one of the organizations, governments or nations outlined above, on letterhead with contact information that includes the individuals’ name and information confirming their ancestry, kinship and citizenship

Option 2: Statement and Other Evidence

If the individual does not possess the documentary evidence outlined in "Option 1: Documentary Evidence", they may submit a statement and other documentary evidence about their ancestry and kinship connections to an inherent and recognized First Nation, Inuit or Métis nation, treaty, land claim, territory or region for review. Depending on the individual circumstances, one or more forms of documentary evidence (e.g., oral or written format) may be required.

How To Submit

Evidence from "Option 1: Documentary Evidence" or "Option 2: Statement and Other Evidence" and your name and student ID should be submitted to Indigenous Initiatives through the Indigenous Identity Confirmation Secure Link as a PDF.

Evidence may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

If it is determined that additional information is required, the individual will be contacted to discuss their agreement to the next steps which may include:

  • Contacting the organizations, governments or nations providing the documentary evidence for further information and confirmation; and/or
  • Consulting with external experts, as necessary.

Please note that identity confirmation does not guarantee selection for awards or opportunities.

How will this information be used?

This is a confidential process facilitated by Indigenous Initiatives. Once confirmed, students don't need to resubmit for future awards and opportunities. 

The University of Guelph collects personal information under the authority of the University of Guelph Act (1964) and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), R.S.O. 1990, c.F.31 as amended. 

The information collected will be used to process your request for Indigenous identity confirmation. The result will be used to verify whether you meet the criteria for specific awards or opportunities.  Information may also be used by other University of Guelph officials to carry out their authorized academic and administrative responsibilities, and for other purposes as outlined in the Notice of Collection, Use and Disclosure in the applicable Undergraduate and Graduate Calendars.

Should you have any questions concerning the collection of your personal information, you can contact Indigenous Initiatives at (519) 824-4120 ext. 58687.

Support and Resources

For more information about Indigenous Identity confirmation at U of G please contact Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@uoguelph.ca.

For Indigenous student support connect with a Indigenous Student Advisor. All First Nations, Inuit and Métis students are invited to engage in opportunities for self-identified Indigenous students including participation in the programs and services offered by the Indigenous Student Centre.

The University of Guelph has strengthened its ongoing commitment to ensuring diversity and inclusivity in teaching and learning through its Black and Indigenous Hiring Initiative (BIHI).

The BIHI has been designed to meet the requirements of a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code. This enables the University to seek Black and/or Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) applicants for approved positions.

The University of Guelph recognizes and affirms the importance of Indigenous identities grounded in ancestry, kinship and community, and acknowledges the harms created by tenuous and fraudulent claims of First Nations, Inuit and Métis identity. We are conscious that past approaches used to determine Indigenous identity in academia have had shortcomings and limitations. We recognize the need to develop better processes to ensure that we uphold our responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and communities to make certain that opportunities and resources earmarked for Indigenous peoples are distributed with careful consideration.

Confirmation Process

Applicants are asked to submit one of the following for review:

Option 1: Documentary Evidence

Submit one of the following documents:

  1. A copy of the front and back of one of the following, that is valid and not expired:
    • Indian status card issued by the Government of Canada;
    • Métis citizenship card from the:
      • Métis Nation-Saskatchewan,
      • Métis Nation of Alberta,
      • Métis Nation British Columbia
      • Métis Nation of Ontario
      • Manitoba Métis Federation,
      • Northwest Territory Métis Nation; or
      • Métis Settlements General Council showing connection to a Métis Settlement of Alberta;
    • Inuit enrolment card issued by any one of the four Inuit modern treaty bodies including Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik or Inuvialuit;
    • Land claim beneficiary card; or
    • American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian citizenship document from tribes that are state or federally recognized (where position eligibility allows)
  2. A copy of the front and back of a parent’s or grandparent’s Indian status card, Métis citizenship card, Inuit enrolment card or US tribal citizenship documentation, as outlined above, along with the individuals’ long-form birth certificate or baptismal certificate that shows family connection
  3. A letter from one of the organizations, governments or nations outlined above, on letterhead with contact information that includes the individuals’ name and information confirming their ancestry, kinship and citizenship

Option 2: Statement and Other Evidence

If an individual does not possess the documentary evidence outlined in option 1., they may submit a statement and other documentary evidence about their ancestry and kinship connections to an inherent and recognized First Nation, Inuit or Métis nation, treaty, land claim, territory or region for review. Depending on the individual circumstances, one or more forms of documentary evidence (e.g., oral or written format) may be required.

How To Submit

Evidence from option 1 or 2 and your name should be submitted to Indigenous Initiatives through the Indigenous Identity Confirmation Secure Link as a PDF. Evidence may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

If it is determined that additional information is required, the individual will be contacted to discuss their agreement to the next steps which may include:

  • Contacting the organizations, governments or nations providing the documentary evidence for further information and confirmation; and/or
  • Consulting with external experts, as necessary.

Candidates' specific details will be kept confidential by Indigenous Initiatives. Please note that identity confirmation does not guarantee selection.

For More Information

For more information about Indigenous Identity confirmation at U of G contact Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@uoguelph.ca.