Citizenship or Kinship Declaration

This fellowship is aimed at helping to advance the careers of Indigenous scholars and practitioners. The IRPP requires applicants to declare that they meet this criterion, to ensure the funds are being directed in the spirit of the fellowship.

Information collected will be stored in a password-protected digital file inside the Institute and shared only with members of the selection committee. The submission of information in a declaration deemed to be false or misleading will result in termination of the fellowship appointment.

Several institutions have recently undertaken work on verification of Indigenous citizenship or kinship, including First Nations University, the University of Manitoba, the National Indigenous University Senior Leaders’ Association, the University of Saskatchewan, and Queen’s University. We have drawn the following requirements from frameworks and recommendations developed by those institutions, and with guidance from the Lafond-Molloy Fellowship Advisory Committee.

Requirements

Please provide a copy of one of the following document(s):

• “Certificate of Indian Status” issued by Indigenous Services Canada that is current and not expired;
• Certified copy of a Métis Nation Citizenship card from the Manitoba Métis Federation; or a valid membership card from one of the Metis Settlements of Alberta, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation; or one of the four provincial affiliates of the Métis National Council (Métis Nation of Ontario including “complete citizenship” confirmation letter from the MNO Registrar, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation British Columbia);
• Certified copy of a Inuit Enrollment card, or a beneficiary card/proof of enrolment associated with Land Claim Agreements in the claim regions of Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut 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 member of a First Nation, or who 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.

If an applicant lacks the necessary documentation listed above, they must provide a signed and dated declaration detailing their current lived experiences and continued connection/kinship with an officially recognized and rights-bearing Indigenous community, Nation, or People. This declaration should encompass specific details about the First Nation, Inuit, or Métis group, including their treaty, scrip, land claims, and geographical territory or area. (Rights bearing pertains to the Indigenous nation or collective holding Constitutional rights under section 35, encompassing Aboriginal or Treaty rights in their territory.)

The Institute might subsequently request references by a member of the community who has personal history with the applicant.