Indigenous students

The Undergraduate Admission Policy for Indigenous Students (UAPI) takes into consideration an applicant’s educational history, cultural knowledge, work experience, educational goals, and other achievements. This information will be reviewed by a three member committee composed of participants from Indigenous student services, the specific faculty applied to, and University Admissions.

ABORIGINAL PEOPLES TERMINOLOGY

The term Aboriginal Peoples refers to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit within the meaning of the Canadian Constitutional Act of 1982.

On this page, Aboriginal and Indigenous are used interchangeably as Indigenous is emerging as a preferred term in a global context. We use the terms Aboriginal and Indigenous here to refer to First Nations (Status and Non-Status) Métis, and Inuit peoples.

SELF-IDENTIFICATION

Simon Fraser University is located on the unceded Coast Salish Territory - the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), q̓icə̓y̓ (Katzie), Kwantlen, Qayqayt, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen nations. The three campuses of Simon Fraser University include a vibrant Indigenous community.

SFU is dedicated to creating an inclusive learning environment that lifts and honours the Indigenous worldview and ways of knowing to support First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students who choose to study here. For this reason, and to continue to improve our support of Indigenous students as they strive to reach their educational goals and dreams, we invite you to identity if you are of Aboriginal ancestry within the meaning of the Canadian Constitutional Act of 1982.

Self-identifying Aboriginal ancestry on your application for admission will allow us to stay connected throughout your university career and provide additional support such as Indigenous student awards, financial assistance, and access to programs and services unique to the cultural and wholistic worldviews of Indigenous students.

Applicants applying under the Undergraduate Admission Policy for Indigenous Students must meet the following requirements:

  • Provide documentation of Aboriginal heritage (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit). This could include but is not limited to, Indian or Métis status cards, official Inuit identification, official letters from Aboriginal organizations, or a combination of proofs.
  • Complete a separate Supplemental Indigenous Undergraduate Admission Form containing the following information: an applicant’s educational history, non-educational achievements, Aboriginal cultural knowledge and activities, two references, and a personal letter outlining the applicant’s academic goals.
  • Specific faculty/program prerequisites must be completed before consideration for admission to certain programs.

Questions ?

Please email Indigenous Student Recruitment at indigenous_students@sfu.ca.

Application process

1 Apply for admission and indicate on the application that you are applying under this category. Apply to SFU
2
Fill out the Supplemental Indigenous Undergraduate Admission form. You will need your SFU ID number, which you will receive after you apply to the University. Complete this form
3 Arrange for a referee to submit a reference letter supporting the statements you make in your Supplemental Indigenous Undergraduate Admission Form. Fax the letter to 778.782.5732, or scan and email to  indigenous_students@sfu.ca.
4
Submit documentation of your Aboriginal heritage: photocopy or scan of your Indian Status or Métis Card (front and back). For those who do not have membership or documentation that verifies Indigenous ancestry for various reasons (i.e., due to colonization, displacement, non-status, adoption, etc.), we acknowledge that this may be difficult or upsetting process. We will make every effort to ensure it is done in a culturally safe and trauma-informed way. Please contact the Indigenous Student Recruiter at indigenous_students@sfu.ca or 778.782.5428 for support.
5
Submit official documents required to complete your admission application on your to-do list in your Student Centre. For details about submitting your documents, see Documents page.