Indigenous Citizenship Verification in Student-Related Opportunities (ICVSRO) Working Group

On Thursday, June 1st, 2023, the Indigenous Citizenship Verification for Student Related Opportunities at McGill (ICVSRO) Student Working Group met for the first time over Zoom. The meeting was facilitated by the Working Group Chair Associate Provost (Indigenous Initiatives) at McGill University, Celeste Pedri-Spade and Co-Chair Associate Director, Indigenous Student Success at McGill University, Thomasina Phillips.

The internal Student Working Group members present were: (1) Jenni Makahnouk; (2) Sage Goodleaf; (3) Taylor Goodleaf; and (4) Angel Oliver. The external community-based members present were: (1) Lynn Jacobs Scott; and (2) Kevin Deer.

The group did a round of introduction. The co-chairs provided the group with additional context as to why this policy initiative is taking place, the role of this Working Group, and the role of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives within the University in stewarding this work. This initiative is being signaled as important from both the University and Indigenous communities.

The group reviewed the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Working Group on Citizenship Verification on Employment-Related Opportunities (ICVERO) as a lead-in to the development of our TOR. The co-chairs facilitated a discussion on how the work of ICVSRO differed from that of the ICVERO, in that students are not in positions of high influence and authority over others and are often in earlier stages of academic and career development. The approach must reflect this difference, but care must be taken not to develop conflicting policies. The group engaged in a discussion about the guiding values and principles that will govern this work (identified in the Terms of Reference).

On Thursday, June 15th, 2023, the Indigenous Citizenship Verification for Student-Related Opportunities at McGill (ICVSRO) Student Working Group met for the second time over Zoom.

The internal Working Group members present were: (1) Jenni Makahnouk; (2) Sage Goodleaf; (3) Taylor Goodleaf; and (4) Angel Oliver. The external community-based members present were: (1) Lynn Jacobs Scott; and (2) Kevin Kanahsohon Deer. The Co-Chair, Thomasina Phillips was in attendance.

The group session began with a discussion of the two documents that were reviewed after last meeting: The Indigenous Screen Office Report- Building Trust and Accountability; and the Queens University Indigenous Identity Final Report- ‘GII-IKIDONAANIWAN’ ‘IT HAS BEEN SAID’. It was discussed how these reports can be useful to understanding how other institutions of higher learning have approached the issue of false identity claims for material benefit and can serve to generate reflection on how McGill’s policy may take shape.

The group discussed informed consent, and how all steps in the citizenship verification process must be made clear to students before they choose to self-identify. The idea of a single verification process (as opposed to multiple times throughout the course of one’s academic journey in the example of someone re-applying or seeking a second degree) was discussed, as part of a trauma-informed approach. The working group also continued discussions on the Terms of Reference.

On Thursday, June 29th, 2023, the Indigenous Citizenship Verification for Student-Related Opportunities at McGill (ICVSRO) Student Working Group met for the third time over Zoom. The meeting was facilitated by the Working Group Chair and Associate Provost (Indigenous Initiatives) at McGill University, Celeste Pedri-Spade and Co-Chair Associate Director, Indigenous Student Success at McGill University, Thomasina Phillips.

The internal Working Group members present were: (1) Jenni Makahnouk; (2) Sage Goodleaf; and (3) Taylor Goodleaf. The external community-based members present were: (1) Lynn Jacobs Scott; and (2) Kevin Kanahsohon Deer.

The Student Working Group began their discussion with a round of check-ins of members and then received updates from the Indigenous Citizenship Verification for Employment-Related Opportunities at McGill Working group (ICVERO). The ways in which the policy and procedure for hiring Faculty and Staff differ than the policy for students applying at McGill were discussed.

The Student Working Group discussed what the process might look like and had a preliminary discussion regarding which documents would be appropriate for citizenship verification moving forward with the policy. The group also explored what accountability mechanisms would need to be developed in order to address cases of misidentification.

For the next meeting, members were asked to review the finalized Indigenous citizenship policy from the University of Saskatchewan for our next discussion. The Student Working Group is set to meet again on Thursday, July 13th 2023.

On Thursday, July 13th, 2023, the Working Group on Indigenous Citizenship Verification for Student-Related Opportunities at McGill met for the fourth time over Zoom. The meeting was facilitated by the Working Group Chair Associate Provost (Indigenous Initiatives) at McGill University, Celeste Pedri-Spade and Co-Chair Associate Director, Indigenous Student Success at McGill University, Thomasina Phillips.

The internal working group members present were: (1) Jenni Makahnouk; (2) Sage Goodleaf; and (3) Angel Oliver. The external community-based members present were: (1) Lynn Jacobs Scott; and (2) Kevin Kanahsohon Deer.

The group discussion started with a round of check-ins and a recap of last meeting. The group proceeded to share feedback and thoughts on the verification policy adopted at the University of Saskatchewan. Members had the opportunity to raise any questions or concerns they may have after reviewing the document and identify elements of the policy they feel are appropriate for the context of McGill and those that are not.

The next steps are to begin a draft internal policy (produced by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives). Student and community consultations will take place in the future as the policy develops. The student working group is set to meet again on Thursday, July 27th, 2023.

On Thursday, July 27th, 2023, the Indigenous Citizenship for Verification for Student-Related Opportunities at McGill (ICVSRO) Student Working Group met for the fifth time over Zoom. The meeting was facilitated by the Working Group Chair Associate Provost (Indigenous Initiatives) at McGill University, Celeste Pedri-Spade and Co-Chair Associate Director, Indigenous Student Success at McGill University, Thomasina Phillips.

The internal working group members present were: (1) Jenni Makahnouk; (2) Sage Goodleaf; (3) Taylor Goodleaf; and (4) Angel Oliver. The external community-based members present were: (1) Lynn Jacobs Scott; and (2) Kevin Kanahsohon Deer.

The meeting was opened with welcoming remarks and a check-in with members. Co-chair Thomasina Phillips shared with the group that a rough draft of the policy is being drafted and will soon be shared with the student working group members for their review and feedback next session. Discussions continued regarding ways to support students through the verification process. Different options and steps for verifying citizenship were discussed, looking at approaching the process holistically. 

Consultations will be planned for Fall 2023 semester with the McGill Indigenous student population followed by community engagement sessions.

Meeting summary to be uploaded after its occurrence.

Meeting summary to be uploaded after its occurrence.