First Nations, Métis and Inuit Awards

The University of Alberta respectfully acknowledges it is located on traditional Treaty 6 Territory and the homeland of the Métis, and is home to a diverse and vibrant community of over 1,000 Indigenous students, staff, and professors from across Canada.

As an Indigenous learner, you have a place here, with scholarships and awards available to support your educational journey. The scholarships and awards competitions below are available for students who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit people of Canada and are made possible by the University of Alberta, the Government of Alberta and generous members of the community.


The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Awards 

The First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Awards competition is available for students who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit people of Canada. This competition is competitive and the awards have various selection criteria. Completed applications will be assessed and used to match eligible students with awards. A full list of awards and selection criteria can be found here»

The preservation of culture or leadership within a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit communities is an essential criterion for this competition. As a result, your application should focus on your involvement within your First Nation, Métis, or Inuit community and speak to how you preserve culture and/or demonstrate leadership within the community.

How to Apply: Apply through the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Awards application in Awards Hub.

Application Open: February 1

Closing Deadline: March 31


Indigenous Careers Award

The Indigenous Careers Award competition is available for students who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit people of Canada. This award is funded by the Government of Alberta and is designed to encourage Indigenous learners who are Alberta Residents, as defined by the Alberta Scholarship Act, to pursue and complete post-secondary studies in degree programs leading to high-demand career outcomes in Alberta.

Students enrolled in a minimum of 24 credits from September to April, students registered with an approved accommodation through Accessibility Resources, or students in the Transition Year Program are encouraged to apply. This competition is competitive and applicants will be assessed based on the minimum eligibility criteria found here. Preference is given to students in the upper years of their program. Additional eligibility criteria may be set by the University of Alberta.

How to Apply: Apply through the General Awards application in the Awards Hub. If you completed the General Application form while submitting the current year's undergraduate scholarship application, you do not need to submit it again.

Application Open: February 1

Closing Deadline: September 15

Apply for Awards


First Nations, Métis or Inuit Documentation

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

To be considered for awards for students who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit people of Canada administered by the University of Alberta, students must provide one of the following forms of documentation:

  • 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.
  • 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;
  • written confirmation of Indigenous identity from Indigenous Services
  • written confirmation of Inuit enrolment from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
  • written confirmation of membership by a band council which has enacted its own band membership code

The University of Alberta recognizes that Indigeneity and connecting to your Indigenous identity can be a complex process. We work closely with the University of Alberta Committee on the Documentation of Indigeneity to review documentation that is not listed above. 

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

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


Notification

Applicants will be notified of the results by the end of the Winter term of the competition closing deadline. To find out more about accepting and declining awards and disbursement, please visit Additional Scholarship Information.

If you still have questions regarding Indigenous Scholarships and Awards, please contact the Student Service Centre.