The University of Saskatchewan (USask) now requires anyone claiming to be indigenous to provide documentation to prove they are a citizen or member of an indigenous group..“This new policy approved by our Board of Governors reflects USask’s commitment to transformative decolonization and reconciliation,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff in a media release..“This work on indigenous membership/citizenship verification is imperative and timely. I am particularly grateful for the leadership and guidance of our indigenous partners without whom this policy work could not have been successfully undertaken.”.After high-profile professor Carrie Bourassa, who claimed to be indigenous was found out to be fake, USask started working on a new indigenous policy..Bourassa said she was anishnabe, Metis, and tlingit, however, her ancestry was European according to genealogical records..READ MORE Fake indigenous professor resigns from the University of Saskatchewan.USask provost Airini said the new policy ensures only genuine indigenous people get the university’s indigenous benefits..“Ultimately, what we want to see is a future university where there is such strong confidence that when we have indigenous positions, awards, grants, that they are held by indigenous peoples,” said Airing. .Presently, there are no requirements for indigenous ancestry other than self-declaration, which is an honour system, according to Stoicheff..Stoicheff said that after Bourassa left, a task force of 28 indigenous politicians, scholars, elders, and others decided on a new approach. .“Self-verification is no longer adequate. Documentation and verification will be required,” said Stoicheff..It's indigenous communities that will verify someone’s indigenous ancestry and self-declaration is no longer valid..The task force told USask that it should not be involved in deciding if someone is indigenous or not, that decision rests solely with the indigenous communities..“We will not be the ones to decide what that looks like,” said Stoicheff. .“Our external indigenous partners, and by that I mean governments, everything from the Métis Nation … Saskatchewan to the FSIN to the specific First Nations in this province to beyond, will be the ones to determine what that documentation looks like.”.According to Airini, the indigenous communities decide what proof is required to be considered indigenous for USask’s indigenous benefits and programs..“It may include oral, it may include status cards, it may include other ways,” said Airini. .“But we will be awaiting the advice from the community as to how they will self-determine membership.” .Over the next few years, the new policy will be finalized, but the task force provided the general direction of the indigenous identity policy for the university, as many details still need to be figured out..An indigenous standing committee will determine if someone without indigenous documentation can be considered indigenous, as some indigenous people were cut off from their communities for various reasons..“They will help us in figuring out these cases, which are so much a reflection of the impact of colonization,” said Airini.
