FAQs

The following are Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Verification Policy and Procedures. They are organized into the following categories:

If you have a question that isn’t listed here, please write indigenousverification@mun.ca. This page may be updated as additional FAQs are identified. 

Purpose and Context

Why is Memorial University introducing an Indigenous Verification Policy? 

Indigenous-specific opportunities exist for multiple reasons, including improving the university by bringing Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing into spaces that were not designed for those ways. Additionally, Indigenous Peoples hold constitutional, treaty, and inherent rights that universities have a responsibility to respect. 

The Indigenous Verification Policy was developed in direct response to concerns raised by Indigenous leaders about the misappropriation of Indigeneity and the need to responsibly steward Indigenous-specific opportunities. 

The Indigenous Verification Policy helps protect these opportunities by ensuring decision making authority remains where it rightfully belongs: with Indigenous communities.

How does the policy support Memorial’s Indigenization and reconciliation commitments? 

The Indigenous Verification Policy is one way Memorial is implementing its Truth and Reconciliation work, as set out in the 2021-2026 Strategic Framework for  Indigenization. 

This policy demonstrates respect for Indigenous self-determination at a time when institutions across Canada are being called upon to address false claims with clarity and integrity.

Is this policy responding to concerns about false claims to Indigeneity? 

The Indigenous Verification Policy was developed in direct response to concerns raised by Indigenous leaders about the misappropriation of Indigeneity and the need to responsibly steward Indigenous-specific opportunities. 

The Indigenous Verification Policy supports Memorial’s Strategic Framework for  Indigenization by strengthening respectful, Indigenous-led protocols for Indigenous-specific opportunities and ensuring that decisions about citizenship and membership are grounded in Indigenous collectives’ authority, not institutional  judgment.

How does this policy support Indigenous students, staff and communities? 

In engagements across Newfoundland and Labrador, Indigenous leaders expressed  clear concern that without rigorous, community-aligned verification processes, Indigenous-specific scholarships, hiring streams, research funding, and designated seats could be misdirected. This would risk diluting their purpose, causing harm to Indigenous students, faculty, and communities. Memorial’s Indigenous Verification Policy is a direct response to that guidance and aims to mitigate harm to as many students as possible.  

Indigenous-specific scholarships, hiring streams, research funding, and seats are finite resources created to address systemic inequities and transform the institution by bringing Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing into its structure. Memorial has a responsibility to steward these opportunities carefully to ensure they go to the Indigenous students and communities for whom they were intended.

How does this policy align with practices at other Canadian universities and public institutions? 

Through the phases of policy development, Memorial looked at approaches being taken by other Canadian universities that establish community-based verification as a national best practice.  

Memorial examined verification policies and procedures used by other post-secondary institutions including the University of Saskatchewan, University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and others. These examples were shared with engagement participants to support analysis, critique, and discussion. This input helped shape the final policy and procedures. 

The policy has one of the most comprehensive sets of verification pathways available among post-secondary institutions in Canada. The pathways were developed through consultation, alongside a comprehensive review of Indigenous verification policies at academic institutions across Canada, to reflect the diverse ways Indigenous citizenship and membership are held across communities.

Was the policy developed in consultation with Indigenous governments, organizations and communities? 

This Indigenous Verification Policy builds on the engagement from the 2021-2026 Strategic Framework for Indigenization and was further informed by its own phase of close engagement with over 15 Indigenous governments, communities and organizations in the province, as well as students, faculty, staff and alumni who identify as Indigenous. 

The consultation and engagement process reflected strong alignment among participants and helped to clarify the policy’s intent, scope, and limits, even in moments when perspectives differed. 

Memorial University’s Indigenous Verification Policy was developed by and with Indigenous communities, in response to their direction, to ensure opportunities intended for Indigenous people are held by Indigenous people.

[Back to top of page]

Eligibility and Definitions

How does the policy define “Indigenous”? 

Memorial University cannot determine who is and is not Indigenous; this necessarily must rest with Indigenous collectives.  

Identity is complex and personal, and Memorial is committed to supporting all students, faculty and staff who identify as Indigenous. However, verification will be required when being considered for an Indigenous-specific opportunity.  

To verify Indigenous members and citizens for the purpose of Indigenous-specific opportunities, the community or group the person is a member of must also be a recognized Indigenous collective. Recognition within the policy framework is based on Indigenous governance, legal recognition, and relationships with other Indigenous Nations. 

The university’s role in administering this policy is procedural. Decisions about citizenship or membership rest with Indigenous communities and their governance structures through one of the several verification pathways that are available.

What forms of Indigenous membership or citizenship are recognized for verification? 

The verification pathways reflect different circumstances and histories. Individuals apply under the pathway that best reflects their situation. 

If you are an Indigenous person in Canada, you may provide either primary documentation from a recognized Indigenous collective, or secondary documentation that demonstrates you are claimed by a recognized Indigenous collective. 

The policy also includes a pathway for those who have been displaced or disconnected from their community, even when documentation is not available. This acknowledges the historic and ongoing colonial practices – including residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, child welfare system, and more – which have fractured Indigenous peoples’ access to community connection. 

There are two more pathways for Indigenous Peoples outside of Canada – one pathway for Indigenous people in the United States and one pathway for Indigenous people globally. These pathways rely on documentation or confirmation from the relevant Indigenous collective, consistent with local governance systems. 

These pathways honour Indigenous diversity and recognize the impacts of colonialism. They were purposefully designed to reflect the diverse ways Indigenous citizenship and membership are held across communities. 

Which Indigenous groups are recognized under the policy? 

To verify Indigenous members and citizens for the purpose of Indigenous-specific opportunities, the community or group the person is a member of must be a recognized Indigenous collective. We are deferring to recognized Indigenous collectives in Canada, as per section 35 of the Canadian constitution (First Nations, Metis, Inuit). 

Recognition within the policy framework is based on Indigenous governance, legal recognition, and relationships with other Indigenous Nations. The verification pathways reflect different circumstances and histories. Individuals apply under the pathway that best reflects their situation.

Are Indigenous people from outside Canada eligible for Indigenous-specific opportunities? 

There are two pathways for Indigenous Peoples outside of Canada – one pathway for Indigenous people in the United States and one pathway for Indigenous people globally. These pathways rely on documentation or confirmation from the relevant Indigenous collective, consistent with local governance systems. 

The policy does not set eligibility criteria for specific opportunities. The policy is only invoked where verification is required.

Does self-identification alone qualify someone for Indigenous-specific opportunities?

No. Identity is complex and personal, and Memorial is committed to supporting all students, faculty and staff who identify as Indigenous; however, verification will be required when applying to an Indigenous-specific opportunity.

What if I have Indigenous ancestry but no documentation or community connection?

Indigenous ancestry alone is not enough to be eligible for an Indigenous-specific opportunity. Verification requires connection to a recognized Indigenous collective.

[Back to top of page]

Verification Requirements

What types of documentation can be used to verify Indigenous citizenship/membership?

If you are an Indigenous person in Canada, you may provide either primary documentation from a recognized Indigenous collective, or secondary documentation – a statement of relationality along with a letter of support from an official representative – that demonstrates you are claimed by a recognized Indigenous collective. 

The policy also includes a pathway for those who have been displaced or disconnected from their community, even when documentation is not available. This acknowledges the historic and ongoing colonial practices – including residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, child welfare system, and more – which have fractured Indigenous peoples’ access to community connection. 

There are two more pathways for Indigenous Peoples outside of Canada – one pathway for Indigenous people in the United States and one pathway for Indigenous people globally. These pathways rely on documentation or confirmation from the relevant Indigenous collective, consistent with local governance systems. 

These pathways honour Indigenous diversity and recognize the impacts of colonialism. They were purposefully designed to reflect the diverse ways Indigenous citizenship and membership are held across communities.

Who reviews verification submissions, and how are reviewers selected? 

The verification committee will verify documentation submitted under the policy. This process may include review of documentation, research, interviews, and communication with internal and external resources, as needed. 

The verification committee will provide verification results of Indigenous citizenship/membership to the unit administering an Indigenous-specific opportunity, but the committee is not involved in any selection process beyond verification for these opportunities. 

Members of the verification committee represent diverse Indigenous lived experiences and extensive experience, both academic and community-based, grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.

How long does the verification process typically take?

The timeline for the verification process will vary and depend on the documentation required, pathway used for verification, and level of complexity involved. 

For example, verification of an individual using Pathway A submitting valid and unexpired documentation from a recognized Indigenous collective may require less time than an individual using Pathway C who has been displaced or disconnected from their community and who does not have documentation. 

The timelines may also be impacted by the process taken by the unit administering the Indigenous-specific opportunity.

Is verification required every time I apply for an Indigenous-specific opportunity, or only once? 

If your Indigenous membership or citizenship is verified for an Indigenous-specific opportunity at Memorial, you will not be required be verified again so long as the documentation submitted remains current.

[Back to top of page]

Privacy and Data Protection

How will my personal and cultural information be stored and protected?

Memorial University recognizes the history of misuse of Indigenous information in academia. The safeguarding of all personal information for Indigenous verification is of utmost importance. 

Confidentiality will be ensured, and information will be managed as prescribed under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. Access to personal information is restricted to university employees whose duties require such access to process verification requests. 

All information and documentation collected in the verification process will be used only for the purpose for which it was gathered. Information may be shared for the purpose of verification with the associated recognized Indigenous collective as necessary.

Who will have access to my verification documents?

Access to personal information is restricted to university employees whose duties require such access to process verification requests. 

All information and documentation collected in the verification process will be used only for the purpose for which it was gathered. Information may be shared for the purpose of verification with the associated recognized Indigenous collective as necessary.

How does the policy ensure respectful handling of sensitive cultural information?

Documentation is reviewed only by the verification committee, and only the results (verified/not able to verify) are shared with the administering body. 

The verification process is designed to be respectful, confidential, and culturally safe. Support with applications and related questions will be available throughout the process.

[Back to top of page]

Impact on Programs, Awards and Employment

Which opportunities at Memorial will require Indigenous verification?

Opportunities at Memorial that will require verification include any scholarships, bursaries, and designated seats across undergraduate and graduate programs, research funding and targeted hiring that are indicated as Indigenous-specific, and other opportunities of material gain or reputational benefit.

Will current Indigenous-specific scholarships, awards or positions change under this policy?

There will be no change for current holders of Indigenous-specific opportunities under this policy; no one currently in an Indigenous-specific opportunity will have to go through a verification process retroactively. 

However, there will be a change to how these opportunities are administered going forward in that Indigenous verification will be required for selection, and wording for some opportunities will necessarily change to reflect this moving forward.

If I already hold an Indigenous-specific award or position, will I need to be verified retroactively?

No, no one currently in an Indigenous-specific opportunity will have to go through the verification process retroactively.

If I’m already in the process of applying for or receiving an Indigenous-specific award, designated seat or position, do I need to go through the verification process?

No, as of Feb. 25, 2026, no one currently in the process of applying for or receiving an Indigenous-specific award, designated seat or position will have to go through the verification process. This is because the policy would not have been in effect at the time of application.

What happens if someone cannot provide verification but has previously identified as Indigenous?

As the policy is not being applied retroactively, previous identification as Indigenous will not inform the verification process moving forward.  It is entirely possible that a person who previously identified as Indigenous may not have the documentation to be verified for Indigenous-specific opportunities.  Likewise, there may also be those who previously did not find themselves eligible but are now able to satisfy one of the pathways included in the policy. 

Identity is complex and personal, and Memorial is committed to supporting all students, faculty and staff who identify as Indigenous; however, verification will be required going forward when being considered for an Indigenous-specific opportunity.

Will the policy affect access to Indigenous-specific student supports or services?

The policy will affect some Indigenous-specific supports and services but spaces, such as Juniper House on the St. John’s campus, and other Indigenous student spaces at all campuses, will continue to be accessible to any student who identifies as Indigenous. Verification will only be required when the support or service is specifically set aside for, or takes into consideration, Indigenous membership.

This includes but is not limited to hiring for staff and faculty positions, designated seats for Indigenous students, awards, scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, and funding opportunities slated for Indigenous people, and any opportunity of advantage such as material gain or reputational benefit. 

Material gain is a tangible advantage for students, faculty, and staff accessed through opportunities such as positions, designated seats, awards, scholarships, funding etc. Reputational benefit is an advantage that is non-monetary in nature but promotes the reputation of the individual and provides them with merit. This may include non-monetary awards, honorary degrees, formal consultation, university communications, speaking engagements, and designated Indigenous seats on boards or committees. 

Identity is complex and personal, and Memorial is committed to supporting all students, faculty and staff who identify as Indigenous.

Will the policy affect access to general student supports or services?

No, the policy will not affect access to general student supports or services.

[Back to top of page]

Appeals, Exceptions and Special Circumstances

Is there an appeal process if my verification is not accepted?

If an applicant’s citizenship/membership with a recognized Indigenous collective is not confirmed through the verification process, the opportunity for reconsideration can be implemented if new documentation is provided.

How does the policy account for people affected by colonial displacement, adoption, or the Sixties Scoop?

The policy includes a pathway for those who has been displaced or disconnected from their community, even when documentation is not available. This acknowledges the historic and ongoing colonial practices – including residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, child welfare system, and more – which have fractured Indigenous peoples’ access to community connection.

Can individuals submit additional documentation if their initial verification is denied?

Yes, if an applicant’s citizenship/membership with a recognized Indigenous collective is not initially confirmed through the verification process, they can submit new documentation for reconsideration.

Will there be flexibility for people whose communities do not issue formal documentation? 

For people from a recognized Indigenous collective that does not issue formal documentation, they would follow Pathway B and provide secondary documentation as outlined: a statement of relationality and a letter from an official representative.

Who can I contact for help navigating the verification process or understanding my options?

Support will be provided to you during the verification process. If you have additional questions about this policy, please email indigenousverification@mun.ca.  

What other supports are available? 

While this policy is essential to protect Indigenous-specific opportunities at Memorial, we recognize it is a difficult topic for many in our community. If anyone is negatively impacted by this work, they are encouraged to seek support. The following links will direct you to support services at Memorial University: 

Students: 

  • Graduate students may also write to sgs@mun.ca 

Also, the Hope for Wellness Help Line is a resource available outside of Memorial University:  

  • Available 24/7 to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples seeking emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services 
  • Support is available in English and French and, by request, in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut

[Back to top of page]

Implementation and Transition

When will the policy take effect?

This policy came into effect on Feb. 25, 2026, when the Board of Regents approved the policy and procedures, but implementation will be done in a phased approach. Additional information will be shared as the implementation committee completes its work; regardless of how implementation rolls out, the policy does not apply to any opportunity that was in progress before the policy came into effect. 

For instance, if you applied to an Indigenous-specific opportunity prior to Feb. 25, 2026, you are not required to go through the verification process.

How will students and staff be informed about the new requirements?

Information about the policy and related procedures is being shared directly with Indigenous students, faculty and staff, and the broader university community via university communication channels, including the Indigenous Affairs website. 

The special advisor to the president on Indigenous affairs will provide related educational initiatives and resources to the university community. Resources will also be made available to students who are navigating the policy as needs are identified.

Will there be support available to help people navigate the verification process?

The policy will be implemented thoughtfully and in phases, with clear guidance, timelines, and supports. No one is expected to navigate this process alone, and questions will be addressed respectfully as the policy comes into effect. 

The special advisor to the president on Indigenous affairs will provide related educational initiatives and resources to the university community. Resources will also be made available to students who are navigating the policy as needs are identified.

How will Memorial ensure the policy is applied consistently and respectfully across all campuses?

The special advisor to the president on Indigenous affairs, the verification committee and the university community all have a role to play to ensure the policy is applied consistently and respectfully across all campuses. 

The special advisor to the president on Indigenous affairs is responsible for the implementation of the policy and procedures, and the verification committee is responsible for verifying documentation submitted under the policy. 

Like other university policies, the Indigenous verification policy will be reviewed periodically according to university guidelines, which can include additional consultation and opportunities for feedback. 

Overall, the implementation of the Indigenous Verification Policy is a shared responsibility of all members of the university community. All members of the community are expected to: familiarize and comply with this policy and related procedures; when and where appropriate, direct others to the policy and its related procedures; consult with the special advisor to the president on Indigenous affairs or delegated authority regarding opportunities under the policy that require verification of Indigenous citizenship/membership and, if necessary, refer persons to the special advisor.

[Back to top of page]