1.0 VERIFICATION COMMITTEE

The Verification Committee has the primary responsibility of verifying documentation submitted under the policy. Duties involved in this process include, but are not limited to, review of the documentation provided, research, interview(s), and communication with internal and external resources, where necessary. The Verification Committee also functions to advise the Special Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs on matters specific to the policy and its University-wide implementation. Please see the Terms of Reference for the Verification Committee.

The Verification Committee will provide confirmation of verification of Indigenous citizenship/membership to the administering unit/body, but is not involved in any selection process.

2.0 Verification Process 

Step 1: 

When an applicant applies to an opportunity requiring the verification of Indigenous citizenship/membership with a Recognized Indigenous Collective, the administering unit/body must submit the applicant’s name to the Verification Committee.

• This step must be followed regardless of prior successful verification.
• The applicant is not required to resubmit information unless the Verification Committee notes an issue such as, but not limited to, expired documentation. 

Step 2: 

If the applicant has already been verified by the Committee and all documentation is current and unexpired, confirmation will be provided to the administering unit/body. If the Committee determines the applicant has not yet been verified, or if previous documentation has expired, the administering unit/body must direct the applicant to submit documentation directly to the Verification Committee. 

• An individual should not submit documentation directly to the Verification Committee, until directed by the administering unit/body.

Step 3: 

The applicant submits current and unexpired documentation to the Verification Committee. The applicant must:

• Indicate the Pathway under which they are applying;
• Indicate the Recognized Indigenous Collective of which they are a citizen/member;
• Provide the documentation required under the indicated pathway. See section 3.0 of procedures. 

Step 4: 

Documentation will be reviewed and verified by the Verification Committee. 

• The Verification Committee may request additional evidence from the applicant and/or consult with internal or external resources as appropriate in order to complete their assessment.

Step 5: 

The outcome of the verification process will be communicated to the administering unit/body that requested verification. 

3.0 PATHWAY CRITERIA/VERIFICATION DOCUMENTATION

3.1 Pathway A: Primary Documentation from a Recognized Indigenous Collective in Canada (Section 3.1.1 of the Policy):

All documentation submitted must be current and unexpired. One of the following will be accepted as supporting documentation, for the purpose of Indigenous verification: 

First Nations

First Nations applicants may submit a copy of one of the following to meet the criteria for verification:

• Secure Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card);
• Temporary Confirmation of Registration;
• Official First Nations-issued identification document. 

Inuit

Inuit applicants may submit a copy of one of the following to meet the criteria for verification:

• Inuit Enrollment card associated with one of the Land Claim Agreements in the claim regions of Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut, and Inuvialuit;
• Proof of a Nunavut Trust Certificate Card.

Métis

Métis applicants may submit a copy of one of the following to meet the criteria for verification:

• A membership or citizenship card from one of the following Métis organizations:
  1. Manitoba Métis Federation;
  2. Métis Nation of Saskatchewan;
  3. Métis Nation of Alberta;
  4. Métis Nation of Ontario;
  5. Métis Nation of British Columbia.

3.2 Pathway B: Secondary Documentation from a Recognized Indigenous Collective in Canada (Section 3.1.2 of the Policy):

Where the provision of the documents outlined in section 3.1.1 of the policy cannot be provided, verification under Pathway B, section 3.1.2 of the policy, is contingent on approval from the Recognized Indigenous Collective to which the applicant claims connection. For verification, the applicant must submit:

A statement of relationality with a Recognized Indigenous Collective. The statement must provide specific, verifiable information about:

• The applicant’s lineage and connection as an Indigenous person (personal narrative);
• The living First Nations, Inuit, or Métis community to which they claim connection;
• Familial relationships to that community;
• The circumstances that explain why they are not able to access and provide documentation from 3.1.1.

AND

A letter from an official representative as determined by the Recognized Indigenous Collective (e.g. elected or hereditary chief, elected government leader, band councilor, councilor, assembly member, or a senior non-elected official within a First Nation, Inuit or Métis government body). The letter must clearly indicate whether the applicant has been acknowledged or accepted by the community to which they claim a connection.

The Verification Committee may request additional evidence and/or consult with internal or external resources, as appropriate.

3.3 Pathway C: Displacement and Disconnect (Section 3.1.3 of the Policy):

Where the documents outlined in sections 3.1.1 or 3.1.2 of the policy cannot be provided, Pathway C may be applicable. This pathway responds to instances of displacement in which the applicant is attempting to reconnect with community and cannot demonstrate membership/citizenship with a Recognized Indigenous Collective. This may include, but is not limited to, assimilationist policies and practices of colonial institutions such as residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, Indian Act exclusions, and the foster care system or adoption. Verification under Pathway C will be addressed by the Verification Committee on a case-by-case basis. The applicant must provide a written statement that explains why they are not able to access and provide documentation per sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2, and any relevant documentation to support their statement. 

The Verification Committee may request an interview with the applicant, and may request additional evidence and/or consult with internal or external resources, as appropriate.

3.4 Verification Pathway for Indigenous Peoples in the United States (Section 3.2 of the Policy):

In the case of American Indians, Alaskan Natives, or Native Hawaiians, documentation from tribal nations that are federally recognized should be provided for verification:

• Tribal enrollment cards with Bureau of Indian Affairs assigned numbers. 
• Hawaiian Registry Program.

The Verification Committee may request additional evidence and/or consult with internal or external resources, as appropriate.

3.5 Verification Pathway for Global Indigenous Peoples (Section 3.3 of the Policy):

In the case of global Indigenous Peoples, verification will be addressed as needed by the Verification Committee. Appropriate consideration will be given to the rich diversity of global Indigenous groups and their unique protocols, practices, and traditions concerning citizenship/membership, which may vary from region to region. Where applicable, local legislation, legal definitions, and/or frameworks will also inform the verification pathway for global Indigenous Peoples.

For verification the applicant must submit:

A statement of relationality with a Recognized Indigenous Collective. The statement must provide specific, verifiable information about:

• The applicant’s lineage and connection as an Indigenous person (personal narrative);
• The living global Indigenous community to which they claim connection;
• Familial relationships to that community;
• Other evidence of membership as defined by the community’s local Indigenous practices concerning citizenship/membership, and where applicable with consideration of the legal frameworks that may be present in the nation-states with which they co-exist.  

AND 

A letter from an official representative as determined by the Recognized Indigenous Collective. The letter must clearly indicate whether the applicant has been acknowledged or accepted by the community to which they claim a connection.

The Verification Committee may request an interview with the applicant, and may request additional evidence and/or consult with internal or external resources, as appropriate.

4.0 Reconsideration Procedure for Applicants

If an applicant is unable to verify their citizenship/membership with a Recognized Indigenous Collective, the opportunity for reconsideration by the Verification Committee can only be implemented if new documentation is provided.

New documentation may include documentation that is current and unexpired, and documentation that was previously unavailable to the applicant.

5.0 Student Supports

As this is a new policy, the committee will monitor the need for student supports and respond accordingly. Questions may be directed to indigenousverification@mun.ca. 

6.0 External Requests for Verification

University employees or students may seek Indigenous-focused opportunities from organizations that are external to Memorial University (i.e., research funding, scholarships, bursaries, awards, special seats, employment, committee appointments or admissions). Memorial University understands that practices related to Indigenous citizenship/membership verification are novel, and that requests for verification create administrative burden, for both institutions and Indigenous communities. Memorial will allow external requests in order to mitigate administrative burden, reduce duplicative requests, and to foster the development of shared resources for Indigenous citizenship/membership verification. 

External requests for verification will be addressed on a case-by-case basis and will be contingent on institutional capacity, with priority given to affiliate organizations. The request for verification for an external organization must be made by the applicant.