Indigenous self-determination is at the heart of the University of Victoria’s (UVic) newest policy, shaped by Elders’ Teachings and Indigenous members of the UVic community through a multi-year engagement process.
The Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD) Policy comes into effect Nov. 1 and revises the criteria for Indigenous-specific opportunities that result in material gain. Those seeking to access employment opportunities, awards and grants designated for Indigenous Peoples will need to provide additional supporting information. The new process has been designed to uphold the authority of Indigenous Nations, Peoples and communities to determine their citizenship in accordance with their distinct laws, governance structures and traditions.
“The ICD policy is rooted in principles of care, compassion and respect. It reflects local teachings and guidance from Elders and Indigenous community members,” says Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Dr. Robina Thomas, acting president and vice-chancellor of UVic. “This policy ensures designated opportunities—such as positions, awards and grants—benefit Indigenous Peoples as they are intended.”
The policy was developed during a thorough process led by Etalew̓txʷ | ÁTOL,ÁUTW̱ | Centre of respect for the rights of one another and all beings, the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous, in close collaboration with səlxʷéyn sqʷél | SELW̱ÁN SḰÁL | Elders’ Voices, Indigenous faculty, staff, students and communities connected to the university. This led to the collection of more than 4,000 lines of data—reflecting hundreds of stories, experiences and perspectives—through conversations held during the exhaustive engagement and survey process, giving shape to the policy in a way that has not been seen in universities across Canada.
The ICD Policy strengthens the integrity of Indigenous-specific opportunities intended to achieve diverse and equitable representation. It’s designed to enrich the ways UVic accomplishes its academic mission and serves communities through Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Under the policy, students, staff and faculty seeking Indigenous-specific opportunities will be asked to declare their affiliation with an Indigenous Nation and provide supporting information through a secure, centralized application portal. Recognizing the impacts of colonial disruption, applicants with barriers to accessing formal documentation of citizenship will participate through a case-by-case process grounded in Indigenous teachings.
UVic is beginning a process to work with Indigenous Nations, governments and representative organizations to respectfully confirm a distinctions-based approach to policy implementation. Etalew̓txʷ | ÁTOL,ÁUTW̱ | the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous will continue to monitor and review the policy to ensure it is responsive to Indigenous communities and best practices across the country.
This policy reflects UVic’s ongoing commitment to walk alongside Indigenous Peoples and their Nations in a good way—strengthening relationships, honouring community authority and supporting pathways toward self-determination.
For more information about the Indigenous Citizenship Declaration Policy, visit: www.uvic.ca/ovpi/icd.
