1. Faces, Spaces and Places
  2. Information for Indigenous Students

Information for Indigenous Students

Queen's University provides a number of supports and services for Indigenous Students. There are also many ways to get involved on campus as an Indigenous student at Queen's. Below you will find information for prospective students such as information about orientation day for Indigenous students or who to contact if you are interested in studying at Queen's. Additionally, you will find information on Indigenous financial aid/awards, Indigenous specific student services and ways to get involved such as Indigenous lead clubs and societies.

Incoming Indigenous Students

Bimaadiziwin Ka'nikonhriyo Indigenous and Allies Living and Learning Community

Living and Learning Communities (LLCs) are floors or clusters of rooms where students with similar interests live together; students can apply to live in an LLC on their residence application. Indigenous and non-Indigenous students can choose to live in the Bimaadiziwin Ka'nikonhriyo Indigenous and Allies Living and Learning Community (LLC). With an emphasis on intercultural understanding and leadership development, the Bimaadiziwin Ka'nikonhriyo LLC welcomes students who are interested in learning more about Indigenous peoples, histories, and cultures.

Indigenous Student Services

Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre

[Four Directions logo]The Four Directions Indigenous Centre is a home away from home for Indigenous students and a site of information and support for the broader Queen's community. The centre offers culturally tailored transition and support services for Indigenous students, including peer mentorship programs, access to an Indigenous academic advisor and cultural counsellor, and social events and programming. Everyone is welcome!

Four Directions

Indigenous Teacher Education Program

The Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) provides an opportunity for teacher candidates to specialize in Indigenous education, and qualifies graduates for Ontario College of Teachers certification.

ITEP

Indigenous Futures in Engineering

[Indigenous Futures in Engineering logo]Indigenous Futures in Engineering (InEng) provides culturally relevant student support services to Indigenous students enrolled in Smith Engineering. Working in partnership with the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre, InEng supports the academic, cultural, community, and professional development needs of students. Through InEng, students have access to tutoring and exam prep sessions and mentoring opportunities with practicing Indigenous engineers. They also liaise with industries particularly interested in the development of Indigenous engineers through summer employment, internships, and permanent positions.

Indigenous Futures in Engineering

Indigenous Student Self-Identification

Indigenous students at Queen’s can self-identify through the SOLUS student account system at any point in their studies.

Self-identifying ensures that Indigenous students are provided with information on Indigenous services and program at Queen’s, and allows the university to enhance its programs and services for Indigenous students.

Indigenous self-identification

Students from the Indigenous Law Students’ Alliance in the the atrium of MacDonald Hall

Students from the Indigenous Law Students’ Alliance in the the atrium of MacDonald Hall

(Photo by Kelsey Jennings)

Indigenous Clubs, Societies and Ways to Get Involved

Queen’s Native Student Association

[QNSA logo]Queen's Native Students Association (QNSA) brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous students – undergraduates, graduates, and professional – that share an interest in Indigenous cultures and traditions. QNSA provides a forum for discussing contemporary and historical issues pertaining to Indigenous peoples and cultures, hosts events and celebrations, and collaborates with the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, and the Aboriginal Council to identify the needs of Indigenous students on campus.

Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement

Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) is an interdisciplinary and cross-institutional peer-mentoring program designed to support Aboriginal graduate students with the transition into and completion of their graduate studies. SAGE is also a student-driven mentor/support program, designed to increase students’ comfort level and relative ease within their programs, the university and the community as a whole. SAGE has quarterly meetings where students can socialize and share experiences.

Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement

Indigenous Law Students' Alliance

[ILSA logo]Queen's Law Students’ Alliance (ILSA) was designed as a unique club to help all law students appreciate and participate in Indigenous legal matters with greater understanding.

Indigenous Law Students’ Alliance

Matariki Indigenous Student Mobility Program

[Matariki logo]Queen's is one of the seven founding members of the Matariki Network of Universities (MNU). "Matariki" is a Māori term for the Pleiades star cluster (also known as The Seven Sisters) and signifies Spring and a new beginning.

Matariki Indigenous Student Mobility Program