First Nations, Métis or Inuit Documentation

The Committee for the Verification of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Documentation is a standing committee with delegated authority from General Faculties Council (GFC) to determine the standards and approve policy and calendar language in respect to the documentation of FNMI applicants and students.

Eligible documentation includes:

• a certified copy * of a Status card from the Government of Canada;
• a certified copy * of a Métis membership card from one of the five Métis Provincial Affiliates or recognized Territorial organizations; Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Metis Federation, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Métis Nation British Columbia, Northwest Territory Métis Nation. Additionally, the student may present a membership card from the Métis Settlements General Council showing membership in a Métis Settlement of Alberta;
• a certified copy * of an enrolment card issued by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.;
• written confirmation of Indigenous identity from Indigenous Services;
• written confirmation of Inuit enrolment from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.; or written confirmation of registration as a beneficiary of, or enrolment with the Inuvialuit, Nunavik, or Nunatsiavut land agreement
• written confirmation of membership by a band council which has enacted its own band membership code

Effective July 1, 2026, the following documentation will no longer be eligible:

• documentation that an ancestor’s name has been entered 1) in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, or 2) on the band list of an individual band, or 3) as beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement or other claim regions such as Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and Inuvialuit.
  • Those who began their application before July 1, 2026 can still use this criteria.

Last reviewed June 1, 2026

Questions from students and applicants about eligible FNMI Identity documents can be sent to indigenous@ualberta.ca.

*Certified copy references that the documents will be from a certified organization. Documentation does not need to be notarized to be submitted. 

Awards

The University of Alberta has a series of financial supports designated for First Nation, Métis or Inuit students. Students who provide one of the above documents are eligible to be considered for financial support where the selection criteria requires Indigeneity. 

Please note that presentation of one of the documents does not guarantee an award, as selection is competitive.

If you are applying for FNMI specific awards, Indigenous identity documentation can be sent to fnmidocs@ualberta.ca. Students should provide a clear picture of the front and back of cards and/or clear copies of official letters of confirmation.

Program Application

If the program you are applying to requires Indigenous identity documentation for admission purposes, please email the documents to fnmidocs@ualberta.ca after you apply and up until you receive an official decision.

Identity documents are not required as part of the evaluation for an admission unless you have applied to an exclusive Indigenous program or Indigenous stream.