The University of Saskatchewan has struck a task force to formulate policy around verifying the Indigenous background of those being hired for positions created for Indigenous peoples and for Indigenous programming, funding, and scholarships at the university.

The task force will submit the final policy for approval to the USask Board of Governors’ meeting on June 20.

During the last year USask has faced Indigenous fraud. A prominent health professor was placed on leave after her claims of Indigenous heritage were questioned. The University says the conversation about Indigenous membership/citizenship verification must be led by Indigenous peoples at the University of Saskatchewan and external Indigenous partners representing communities.

There is also an advisory circle that sits on the outside of the task force. This advisory circle is a non-voting group and is comprised of representatives from across the university. Their role is to advise the task force on how the policy might impact existing university processes.