The University of Saskatchewan says anyone who applies for a job or scholarship set aside for Indigenous people will now be required to provide documentation proving they are a member or citizen of an Indigenous community.
The school began working on a new policy following a CBC investigation last year into a high profile professor at the institution who claimed to be Indigenous without evidence.
Carrie Bourassa said she was Métis, Anishnabe and Tlingit. However, a CBC investigation found no evidence that she was Indigenous. Genealogical records showed she was of entirely European ancestry.
U of S provost Airini (who goes by one name) says the new policy will ensure that only genuine Indigenous people will receive benefits the university has set aside for them.
"Ultimately, what we want to see is a future university where there is such strong confidence that when we have Indigenous positions, awards, grants, that they are held by Indigenous peoples," she said.
University president Peter Stoicheff said up until now, the U of S has relied on self-declaration, which is essentially an honour system. He said there were no requirements for someone to provide documentation to demonstrate Indigenous ancestry or community connection.
After consultation with a task force of almost 30 Indigenous politicians, scholars, elders and others, the university has adopted a new approach, he said.
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