��ݮ����Ƶ����

Introduction 

As an Indigenous student, do you find yourself unsure about how award criteria defines Indigeneity? As an Indigenous student whose job is to find Indigenous funding, I have a few ideas to consider. 

Proving Indigeneity

The contemporary reality for us Indigenous students is needing to prove our nationhood in exchange for monies. This proving who we are seems to be a needed measure to ensure that financial aid only goes to Indigenous students. In some sense, we do prove Indigeneity on a nationhood basis. Many Indigenous students are not Indigenous to Treaty 7 territory on which the ��ݮ����Ƶ���� situates itself. Accepting university funding almost always means cooperation with the racialized definition of Indigeneity. This slipping into a status of racialized seems to be a blockage in validating each of our Indigenous nationhood. 

Often in award criteria the language of “Canadian Indigenous Student” appears. In consideration of Indigenous students, some students may feel uncomfortable with considering themselves Canadian. Slight changes such as “From Turtle Island” could accommodate such students. Turtle Island as a term, for many Indigenous Peoples, that is synonymous with North America. This name comes from many Indigenous origin stories which tell that a turtle back carries our world. 

Definitions and Requirements 

According to the ��ݮ����Ƶ����'s Indigenous award document requirements, there are different definitions of Indigeneity to take into account. 

Award document requirements for students who are First Nations – Status:

1. Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card), issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Older Status cards may still be used, but if the “valid to” date has passed, students are encouraged to order a new card.

2. Letter from a government-registered First Nations community verifying the student is a member of that First Nation.

Award document requirements for students who are First Nations - Non-Status:

1. Band Members who do not have Status can provide a letter from their Band or First Nation on appropriate letterhead and signed by a Band Administrator.
 
2. Non-status individuals with a Status parent or grandparent, may provide a long-form birth certificate with supporting documents of Indigenous identity from a parent or grandparent.

Award document requirements for students who are Métis:

1. Métis card issued by a member Nation of Métis National Council of Canada, including Métis Nation British Columbia, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation of Ontario and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation.

2. Letter or membership card from one of the member Nations of the Métis Settlements General Council including Buffalo Lake, East Prairie, Elizabeth Lake, Fishing Lake, Gift Lake, Kikino, Paddle Prairie and Peavine.

Award document requirements for students who are Inuit:

1. Inuit Beneficiary cards issued through Nunavut Trust. 

2. Letter from a government organization such as Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik, Makivik Corporation or Nunatsiavut in Labrador. 

3. Letter of support from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) or Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.

4. Inuit beneficiary card.

5. Letter from a recognized First Nations community similar to that provided for a person who has Status.

6. Letter from the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and/or one of its affiliated provincial organizations.

7. A letter of support from a First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) organization that is a legal entity, who can attest to a student’s indigenous ancestry.

If the above documentation is not available, students are encouraged to contact Writing Symbols Lodge for support and advice regarding documentation. 

Conclusion 

In summary, if you feel a bit of unease as an Indigenous student applying for university funding, you are not alone. At the same time, we should not feel guilty for seeking financial awards on colonial terms. 

To apply for Indigenous awards: