A 28-member Indigenous task force, in cooperation with the University of Saskatchewan, has approved a new policy on Indigenous membership/citizenship verification.

Provost and Vice-President Academic, Dr. Airini explains that the task force was made up of prominent Indigenous Elders, leaders and Knowledge Keepers and supported by a 20-member internal advisory circle of university representatives. The policy requires a documentation verification process to be completed by all those holding future employment positions, student scholarships or other forms of material advantage created for Indigenous peoples. Under some circumstances, verification may also be required for those who already hold such positions. The documentation of Indigenous membership or citizenship will be determined by Indigenous governments and communities.

Until now, verification of Indigeeous memberships/citizenship has relied on self-identification and has been conducted internally. The task force began their policy development work in January, 2022, with the USask Board of Governors approving the policy on July 8. Consultation with First Nation communities on implementation will begin next month.

Last year, a USask professor was suspended and placed under investigation when it was claimed she had no Indigenous ancestry, although she had said she was. Carrie Bourassa later resigned.