Student AffairsHelp Strengthen the Indigenous Presence at Queen’s
Students with Indigenous ancestry applying to or attending Queen’s University have the option to self-identify. Reasons a student may wish to identify include:
• Standing proud! Strengthen the Indigenous presence at Queen’s!
• Learn more about their culture and/or connect with the growing Indigenous community at Queen’s
• Engage with and become a part of the Indigenous community at Queen’s
Identity Verification
Students wishing to access financial awards, programs, and admission under Indigenous student-specific pathways (e.g. the Indigenous Admissions Pathway program), are required to submit documentation demonstrating their connection to a recognized Indigenous community as listed under Queen’s University’s Indigenous Identity Verification policies. The Indigenous Students Verification Policy was approved by the Queen’s University Senate on September 11, 2021.
Under this policy, Indigenous student will be required to submit documents that fall within one of the two options listed below:
The applicant must provide one of the following documents as a requirement of their application:
• “Certificate of Indian Status” issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada that is current and not expired;
• Certified copy of a Métis Nation Citizenship card from one of the four provincial affiliates (Métis Nation of Ontario including "complete citizenship" confirmation letter from the MNO Registrar, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation British Columbia) of the Métis National Council; or a valid membership card from one of the Metis Settlements of Alberta, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, or the Manitoba Métis Federation;
• Certified copy of a Nunavut Trust Certificate card or Inuit Enrollment card associated with one of the Land Claim Agreements in the claim regions of Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and Inuvialuit;
• Citizenship identification issued by a First Nation that has a modern Treaty and/or self-government agreement;
• Membership card or other documentation indicating that the person is a Non-Status First Nation person who is a member of an Indigenous organization negotiating a treaty or other agreement with the federal and/or provincial governments; and
• American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian citizenship document from tribes that are state or federally recognized or recognized by the National Congress of American Indians.
If an applicant does not possess proof of the documentation listed above, he/she/they must submit a statement about their existing lived experiences and ongoing relationship to a legally recognized and rights bearing1 Indigenous community, Nation, or People. This includes specific information about the First Nation, Inuit, or Métis community such as their treaty, scrip, land claim, and territory or region.
The applicant will also be required to provide a letter of verification issued by a recognized First Nation, Inuit, or Métis community claimed by the applicant.
1"Rights bearing" means that the Indigenous nation/collective has section 35 rights, which means Aboriginal or Treaty rights in their territory.
Self-Identification
Self-identification can be completed as part of the application process (e.g. through OUAC) or through the SOLUS portal once an individual becomes a student at Queen’s. This process is voluntary, confidential and can be done at any time.
1. Log into SOLUS Student Centre
2. Select the Profile tile;
3. Select the Indigenous Self-Identification navigation;
4. If you select "Yes" for Question 1 ("Would you identify yourself as a student with Indigenous ancestry?"), select Continue to open a pop-up with further (optional) questions;
5. When finished, select Done to close the pop-up;
6. Select Save;
7. Select SOLUS Student Centre to return to the main page.3
Submit your Verification Documents
Indigenous-identifying students who have collected the required documentation listed above can submit that documentation for verification here. Documentation will be reviewed within 5 business days and Four Directions staff will reach out should there be any concerns.
For more information on self-identification or identity verification please contact the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre at 4direct@queensu.ca or 613-533-6970.