Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD)
Last updated September 26, 2025
The Office of the VP Indigenous (OVPI) has revised the eligibility process for Indigenous-specific opportunities that result in material gain. The Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD) Policy (GV0810) establishes new criteria for accessing these opportunities. Applicants for Indigenous-specific opportunities administered by UVic will be required to demonstrate their eligibility for those material advantages by providing a declaration of Indigenous Citizenship and supporting information. Applications for eligibility will be managed through a secure, online portal connected with your netlink account.
This process will ensure that (1) opportunities of material gain that are designated for Indigenous Peoples are accessed by Indigenous Peoples, and that (2) the eligibility requirements for these opportunities are consistent with the ways that Indigenous Nations, Peoples and communities determine their Citizenship.
ICD Policy & Procedures
Policy Summary
Five important areas are highlighted in the drop-downs to summarize the purpose and requirements of the new eligibility process established by the ICD Policy.
(ii) strengthen Indigenous ways of knowing and being in teaching, governance and service; and/or (iii) otherwise enrich the ways we accomplish the university’s academic mission and serve our community. The goal of this policy is to ensure that these intentions are honoured and respected.
- “Indigenous-specific Opportunities” (ICD Policy Definitions): refer to programs, procedures, competitions and nominations (e.g. Special Hiring Programs, designated funds, reserved seats & etc.) administered by the University, or administered by employees representing the University, intended to: (a) achieve diverse and equitable representation in an occupation, unit or program; (b) strengthen Indigenous ways of knowing and being in teaching, governance and service; and/or (c) otherwise enrich the ways we accomplish the University’s academic mission and serve our community.
- “Declaration” (ICD Policy Definitions): refers to a claim, assertion and/or statement of an Applicant’s Indigenous Citizenship with a specific and recognized Indigenous Nation, People or Community (singular or plural). On a case-by-case basis, and recognizing complex circumstances, additional, verifiable information may be required to provide an Extended Declaration.
The implementation of this policy will respect and uphold distinct protocols and requirements for Citizenship (or equivalent understandings) as determined and expressed by an Indigenous Nation, People or Community in an Agreement with the University (or a partnered institution).
- Authority of Indigenous Nations (ICD Policy Definitions): “Indigenous Laws” refer to the principles and processes that Indigenous Nations, Peoples and Communities use and have always used to govern themselves. Separate from western laws, Indigenous Laws are derived from Indigenous Peoples’ societies and their distinct sources of authorities.
Applications that include an Extended Declaration of circumstances and complexities outlined in Policy Sections 15.00 a-e, may require an extended review.
- ICD Procedures Section 8.00: Where an extended review of an application is required to assess and determine eligibility based on a wholistic and informed
understanding the Applicant’s Extended Declaration and provided Supporting Information, the PIM or approved designate may invite the Applicant to participate in an extended review process undertaken by a committee of reviewers.
Impact
The ICD Policy will impact access to every Indigenous-specific opportunity administered by the university. The careful implementation of the policy with dedicated support staff will strengthen and build confidence in the ways that Indigenous Peoples bring their distinct ways of knowing and being into teaching, governance and service at the university. The ICD Policy was purposefully designed to ensure that the university is prepared to respect and adhere to the distinct ways that Indigenous Nations determine and affirm their Citizens through their own legal orders. The Policy represents an important step towards further efforts to uphold Indigenous Laws within university systems and processes.
The successful implementation of the ICD Policy, the first of its kind in British Columbia, will demonstrate that UVic is taking a proactive approach to address issues of Indigenous identity fraud within academic spaces. With adequate capacity, the OVPI is positioned to provide leadership in the creation and harmonization of policies across BC Post-Secondaries aligned with the Indigenous Nations served by those institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ICD policy will be implemented November 1, 2025.
The ICD Policy ensures that Indigenous-specific opportunities intended for Indigenous Peoples are accessed with integrity. This policy has been developed over years of dialogue with Elders, Indigenous faculty, staff, students and communities. It is proactive, not reactive—ensuring that Indigenous-specific opportunities are accessed with integrity and in alignment with UVic’s commitments to ʔetalnəw̓əl̓ | ÁTOL,NEUEL| Respecting the rights of one another and being in right relationship with all things. It reflects a thoughtful, careful process led with a good heart and a good mind.
Eligibility for Indigenous-specific opportunities that result in material gain will not be determined by self-identification, but the ICD Policy does not eliminate or diminish the importance of self-identification.
Access to Indigenous community events, spaces, and most Indigenous student services is unchanged and remains open to all those who self-identify as Indigenous.
You do not need to demonstrate eligibility for Indigenous-specific opportunities to self-identify as Indigenous at UVic.
No. The Better Data Project will continue to collect demographic information and statistics based on a process of Indigenous self-identification. Information collected through the ICD process will not be used for reporting and strategic planning purposes, nor will it be cross-referenced with personal data collected through the Better Data Project.
Material gain refers to a financial, professional or tangible benefit. Opportunities resulting in material gain include, but are not limited to:
- Full-time, part-time, term or continuing employment
- Promotion, appointment and re-appointment
- Awards, bursaries and scholarships
- Research or travel grants
- Financial aid
- Reserved seats on committees and governance boards
- Fellowship or apprenticeship opportunities
- Participation in mentorship programs
- Reserved seats in programs or courses
- Reserved spaces in student housing
- Access to Indigenous-specific campus services
If the opportunity is likely to appear as a line on a CV, the opportunity is likely associated with material gain.
UVic currently has approval through the BC's Office of the Human Rights Commissioner to use preferential or limited hiring for Indigenous People. These Indigenous-specific employment opportunities address underrepresentation and bring in the qualified people we need to grow as a university community. For more information, please visit: https://www.uvic.ca/equity/employment-equity/preferential/index.php.
Bursaries, reserved seats and research awards limited or specific to Indigenous People are intended to redress systemic inequities by supporting access, retention, success and recognition in post-secondary institutions.
Last updated Sept 26, 2025
Hiring managers for limited and preferential opportunities are encouraged to share this language in job description and offer letters:
The Office of the Vice-President Indigenous (OVPI) has developed a policy to affirm declarations of Indigenous identity, citizenship and membership at UVic where these claims result in material advantages, such as employment in an Indigenous-specific position. While the forthcoming policy can not be retroactively applied to this opportunity, the successful candidate(s) will be required to complete the Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD) process should they apply for, or access, future opportunities resulting in material gain.
Please feel free to reach out to vpiicd@uvic.ca if you have specific question or concerns.
- Elders, knowledge holders, counsellors and Indigenous staff in OVPI are available for guidance and care.
- Extended Declaration pathways for students/staff/faculty
- Clear and compassionate appeals and review processes
- Carmin Bear Blomberg, Policy Navigation Officer, OVPI carminb@uvic.ca | 250-472-5160
The ICD Committee is working with University Systems to design a secure web interface for applicants to upload files relevant to verifying their declaration.
The standing of a candidate’s application would be connected with the candidate’s V# through Banner and accessible only to a limited number of staff persons within the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous. Once an applicant is verified through the portal, they will not need to resubmit information or be re-verified to access future Indigenous-specific opportunities.
Recognizing the complex nature of many cases, processes may be designed to support verification beyond the parameters of a portal system.
As we continue to work with University Systems and design a process in consultation with Indigenous members of the UVic community, we will have more information to share in the Winter 2024/25 term.
Support
Carmin Bear Blomberg, Policy Navigation Officer, OVPI | 250-472-5160
Need support? Carmin is available in person or virtually.
DROP-IN SUPPORTS *starting October 6*
First Peoples House | Room 128
Mondays 12:00pm-2:00pm
Sngequ House | Indigenous Student Lounge
Tuesdays 11:00am-1:00pmLet's meet...
- ICD online application & portal support
- Gathering documents for ICD applications
- Wellness supports & resources
- Status card and/or citizenship application support
- Support students liaising with their communities
Download Drop-in Supports - Poster
Student Supports in the First Peoples House
Elders in Residence
Indigenous Counselling
For other ICD policy general inquiries, please contact vpiicd@uvic.ca.
Resources for Implementation
Keyara Brody, Policy Implementation Manager, OVPI
**Additional Guidelines Coming Soon**
Consultation
After an initial consultation with Elders' Voices in Fall 2023, OVPI completed a year of engaging with Indigenous members of the UVic community and collaborating with relevant campus partners (i.e. Equity and Human Rights, Human Resources, Faculty Relations, the Faculty Association, the Office of the Registrar and Enrolment Management, CUPE and PEA Unions, University Systems, etc.).
A summary of these engagement sessions can be found in the External Report Draft. While a few other Canadian PSIs have introduced similar policies, many in alignment with the new Tri-Agency Guidelines, UVic will be the first BC PSI to introduce an Indigenous citizenship declaration policy. Our team periodically communicates and collaborates with these institutional partners.
Implementation of the policy slated for November 1, 2025 has been supported by: the development of a secure ICD Application Portal, the harmonization of HR systems with new eligibility procedures, and the creation of two new staff positions within the OVPI to lead the coordination and navigation of the policy.
Phase 1:
Tables were be set up around the Ceremonial Hall with questions at each station for discussion. Participants spent as much or as little time at each station.
- What are the potential benefits of developing Indigenous citizenship declaration policy for Indigenous opportunities? What are your concerns?
- What does Indigenous citizenship mean to you? How do Indigenous laws facilitate or recognize citizenship?
- What should be included as criteria to demonstrate Indigenous citizenship?
- What barriers exist when demonstrating Indigenous citizenship?
Phase 2:
- What are your hopes, concerns and expectations regarding the development of a new eligibility process?
- What are your thoughts on the criteria to demonstrate Indigenous citizenship?
- What considerations or options could be available to recognize complex circumstances and barriers within the affirmation process?
- What supports and resources are needed to help Indigenous students, staff and faculty engage with an ICD Policy?
- What actions can UVic take to ensure an effective affirmation process?
- Phase Two Questions: Fillable PDF
Phase Two: Objectives
- Gauge how this project is understood and received by Indigenous members of the UVic Community.
- Seek feedback on existing list of affirmation criteria.
- Brainstorm procedures to address and affirm complex cases.
- Understand what steps need to be taken to address barriers or blocks to engaging with the policy.
- Identify priorities towards developing a framework to assess whether or not the objectives as set out in the policy were met.
Terms of Reference
Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD) Commitee
Terms of Reference [Last Updated: August 29, 2024]
Approving Authority: Vice-President Indigenous
Effective Date: January 2024
Download the Terms of Reference
The OVPI has brought together an expanded subcommittee of the Indigenous Strategic Leadership Advisory (ISLA) group with the aim of effectively strategizing an engagement process that brings diverse voices to the table and results in clear policy directions and implementation guidelines.
The Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD) Committee will guide the development of a policy and process that affirms the authority of Indigenous Peoples to determine their citizenship in accordance with their own legal orders and governance structures. Undertaking this work, the ICD Committee will remain responsive to the ways that colonization has impacted determinations and experiences of citizenship.
The University of Victoria’s (UVic) renewed Indigenous Plan (2023) outlines a strong commitment to align the university with Indigenous laws and protocols. This commitment extends to ensuring that the eligibility requirements for opportunities designated for Indigenous People are consistent with the ways that Indigenous Nations, Peoples and communities determine their citizenship.
UVic is one of many post-secondary institutions moving beyond self-identification to a process of verification where preferential and limited selection programs and opportunities are designated for Indigenous applicants and result in material gain.
- ʔay̓ šqʷeləqʷən | ÍY, ŚḰÁLEȻEN: We bring a good heart and good mind into our work, building relationships based on trust and respect.
- Leʔt šxʷ helə ʔə cə mək̓ʷ sčeʔi səʔ | S,HOL EṮ MEQ EN ENÁ SE SĆȺ: We prepare ourselves for the work ahead with a view towards a future of promise and abundance.
- Humility: We step into a learning position and recognize that this work is ongoing.
- Inclusion & Intersectionality: We bring a diversity of voices to the table, and we recognize in this work the ways that colonization has functioned to undermine Indigenous self-determination and disrupt kinship and family relations.
- Honesty & Dignity: We maintain a respectful environment where all members are encouraged and empowered to communicate disagreements in good faith and bring their whole selves into decision making.
- Transparency: We work with open doors.
- Privacy: We uphold the confidentiality of sensitive disclosures and information, and we work to align data collection and storage with data sovereignty principles.
Meeting twice monthly, the ICD Commitee will determine and guide a cohesive, multi-unit collaborative approach to policy engagement, development and implementation over three phases:
Phase 1: Drafting & Engaging (October 2023 – September 2024)
i. Determine and oversee a process to be carried out by the OVPI for engaging with Indigenous communities, Elders, staff, faculty, students and alumni.
ii. Develop a first draft of an ICD policy in partnership with University Systems and General Counsel, considering the insights of colleagues at other universities.
iii. Identify protocol to be carried out by the OVPI as the university seeks to create and confirm MOUs with BC First Nations, Inuit & Métis governing authorities.
Phase 2: Revising, Finalizing & Approving (September 2024 - February 2025)
i. Review and revise drafts of an ICD policy to align the information and feedback gathered during the engagement process.
ii. Work with University Systems and General Counsel to confirm secure and confidendial procedures, platforms and mechanisms for collecting personal information and affirming eligibility.
iii. Guide the preparation of documents necessary for policy approval through Senate and the Board of Governors.
Phase 3: Implementation & Communicating (February 2025 – September 2025)
i. Determine timelines and communication strategies for policy implementation.
ii. Create working groups to address specific tasks, questions and priorities, collaborating with IACE’s Communications Officer and representatives from Student Affairs, the Office of the Registrar, the Beter Data Project and Human Resources.
iii. Concluding the work of the ICD committee identity membership for a review committee to address concerns and cases as they may arise going forward.
iv. Committee dissolved September 2025.
| Role | Contributer |
|---|---|
| Vice-President Indigenous, chair | Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Dr. Robina Thomas |
| OVPI, co-chair | Lalita Kines, Director of Indigenous Strategic Priorities and Community Engagement |
| OVPI, Project coordination | Julianna Nielsen, Acting Director, Indigenous University Initiatives |
| OVPI, Project coordination | Peyton Juhnke, Project Manager |
| Indigenous faculty member | Val Napoleon |
| Indigenous faculty member | Onowa McIvor |
| Indigenous faculty member | waaseyaa'sin Christine Sy |
| Indigenous graduate student | Estrella Whetung |
| Indigenous undergraduate student | Lauren Aimoe, Native Students Union - Firekeeper |
| Indigenous student | Kiana Cardinal-Arcand, Indigenous Law Student Association |
| University Secretary representative | Morag Mochan, Governance Services Manager |
| Faculty Relations representative | Pam Richards, Director, Faculty Relations & Academic Administration |
| Faculty Association representative | Christine O’Bonsawin |
| Human Resources representative | Kane Kilbey, AVP Human Resources |
| Office of the Registrar representative | Wendy Taylor, Acting Registrar |
| OVPI/IACE | Hannah Mashon, Director of Indigenous University Communications |
- The Terms of Reference for the ICD Committee will be submitted to the Approving Authority by January 10, 2024.
- The ICD Committee will be created by January 30, 2024 and will submit drafts of a ICD policy and process to the Approving Authority by Winter 2024.
- The work of the committee will conclude September 2025.
Contact
If you would like to connect to learn more, send an email to the OVPI's Indigenous Citizenship Declaration Committee.