A major development related to Memorial University’s Indigenous verification policy.
Effective immediately, Memorial will move from allowing students to self-identify as Indigenous toward a new policy, implemented by some 20 other universities across the country which adopts a more federally-approved process.
That will include official documentation from a recognized Indigenous group or collective, meaning that members of the NunatuKavut Community Council will not currently be included in the Indigenous Verification process.
The concern according to Memorial is that universities should not be the ones to determine who is Indigenous and who is not, and instead they will rely on a federally-recognized process.
Memorial says they currently have fewer than 100 students, faculty members, and staff who identify as NCC.
NCC “Profoundly Disappointed” in MUN’s Decision
Todd Russell, President, NunatuKavut Community Council.
The President of the NunatuKavut Community Council says they are “profoundly disappointed” in MUN’s decision to approve an Indigenous Verification Policy that will affect access to Indigenous-specific opportunities for students from their region.
Todd Russell says the process around the development of the policy has been “hurtful” and has already caused harm – “deepening the division among Indigenous peoples” in the province.
He says nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of their students at Memorial University.
Russell says MUN President Janet Morrison has acknowledged their concerns and has made a commitment to work with NCC to address impacts.
He says further discussions are anticipated in order to protect their people and ensure that students have what they need.
