First Nations, Inuit and Métis Identity

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.

We also recognize the need for some positions to have demonstratable lived experiences and community connections in order for them to conduct their roles according to their Indigenous responsibilities and protocols.

We understand that Indigenous identity can be complex and that there is diversity in criteria across nations and communities.  We recognize these processes are not intended to disadvantage those whose experiences have been affected by colonial processes such as displacement, enfranchisement, gender discrimination, residential school, sixties scoop, millennial scoop or anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, and that there must be measures in place to account for this.

Our Way Forward

The University of Guelph is committed to reviewing its internal practices and to creating new processes that are informed by First Nations, Inuit and Métis members of our campus and the broader Indigenous community.  

In March 2021, the U of G launched its first Indigenous Initiatives Strategy, Bi-Naagwad | It Comes Into View.  Following these discussions, Bi-Naagward recommended a review of our confirmation processes for Indigenous identity to direct our way forward.

First, Nations, Inuit and Métis Students

The Indigenous Student Support Working Group Final Report recommended that U of G “explore the need for an ancestry verification process to ensure that students are eligible for student supports as well as to ensure the integrity of the data.”

Indigenous Initiatives undertook a review of procedures in place at other postsecondary institutions as well as through Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations that fund First Nations, Inuit and Métis students through scholarships and bursaries.  Based on promising practices, a procedure was drafted with support from the Indigenous Student Centre, the Registrar, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Institutional Research and Planning. The draft was shared with First Nations, Inuit and Métis graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, staff and community members and the Indigenous Advisory Circle for feedback and refinement. The procedure was endorsed by the President's Advisory Committee on Indigenous Initiatives to be implemented for Indigenous student scholarships, bursaries, awards and opportunities. Information and support will be provided for students and staff as we transition to this new procedure in 2023.

Indigenous Faculty, Staff and Knowledge Holders

The Governance Working Group Report recommended that U of G “develop a process for Indigenous ancestry and knowledge verification for staff and faculty roles that serve as Indigenous leaders, enhance the role of Indigenous knowledge in the academy and/or support Indigenous students and their families.” Previous hiring initiatives have reviewed Indigenous lived experience, relationships and knowledges through processes specific to the role.

The University of Guelph has launched an Indigenous-informed process to develop a procedure for confirming Indigenous identity for Indigenous faculty, staff, Knowledge Holders and award recipients. 

Indigenous Initiatives partnered with Sisco & Associates Consulting Services Inc. to conduct engagements discussing Indigenous identity confirmation for faculty, staff and Knowledge Holders. SISCO conducted a series of online and in-person interviews, focus groups and validation sessions with Indigenous students, staff, faculty, members of the President's Advisory Committee on Indigenous Initiatives and community members from March to May 2023. The outcomes provided by SISCO will contribute toward the development of a process and policy. 

First Nations, Inuit and Métis Student Process

Indigenous students are invited to self-identify on their application to the Ontario Universities Application Centre and again once admitted at the University of Guelph. More information on Indigenous student self-identification can be found on the Student Experience website. 

We believe that self-identification is an important aspect for supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis students and their families. Self-identification allows the Indigenous Student Centre to provide students with information regarding the programs, services and supports available on campus specific to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students.

Several awards and opportunities require confirmation. More information can be found at:

Indigenous Identity Confirmation For Students

For Indigenous student support contact the Indigenous Student Centre at indigenous.student@uoguelph.ca.  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.

Indigenous Faculty, Staff and Knowledge Holder Process

Indigenous staff and faculty are invited to self-identify through the U of G Community Census and the former, Diversity Matters Census. Previous Indigenous hiring initiatives have reviewed Indigenous lived experience, relationships and knowledges through processes specific to the role.

The University of Guelph is currently undertaking an Indigenous-informed process to develop a procedure for confirming Indigenous identity for Indigenous faculty, staff, Knowledge Holders and award recipients. 

The Black and Indigenous Hiring Initiative (BIHI) is utilizing an interim confirmation process. More information can be found at: 

Indigenous Identity Confirmation for BIHI

First Nations, Inuit and Métis students, staff, faculty, partners and community members who want to discuss this topic and process further are encouraged to contact us at indigenous@uoguelph.ca.

Support Resources

  • Ally Stoett, Indigenous Student Advisor: email indigenous.student@uoguelph.ca to connect.
  • Student Counselling Services: Ext. 53244
  • Good2Talk: 1-866-925-5454 or Text "UofG" to 686868
  • Student Support Network
  • Keep.meSAFE for international students: wellness.uoguelph.ca/keep.meSAFE
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program: 1-800-265-8310
  • Elders available through Indigenous Student Centre: book by emailing elders@uoguelph.ca
  • Compass Community Services: 1-888-821-3760 or 519-821-3760
  • Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310 or hopeforwellness.ca
  • 24/7 Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
  • 24/7 Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Support: 1-800-721-0066