Facilitated Admissions Self-Identification

Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP): Self-Identification Requirements

With an understanding that Indigenous learners can face specific barriers or challenges when pursuing higher education, schools and programs within McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences have facilitated admissions streams for applicants with Indigenous North American (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) ancestry. This process is intended to provide equitable access to Indigenous applicants and aligns with the intent of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action. Applicants wishing to apply through McMaster’s FIAP need to complete the self-identification application in addition to McMaster university and program-specific application processes. The FIAP self-identification application is submitted to McMaster’s Indigenous Health Task Force (IHTF) through the online application housed on the ISHS Office website. Incomplete applications past the program(s) admission deadline will not be considered.

The ISHS office does not review FIAP applications nor do they accept documentation for the FIAP.

The application must include all parts of sections A through C.

PART A: LETTER OF CONSIDERATION: The letter is used by the reviewers on the IHTF to better understand the social/cultural context of the applicant. The letter of consideration should not exceed 800 words and must include:

A request for consideration under the Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Process;
A brief overview of the applicant's academic and personal background that highlights the reasons and motivation for chosen health profession(s);
A declaration of self-identification as an Indigenous person with a response to the following questions:
- Why are you requesting consideration under FIAP?
- What does your Indigenous identity mean to you and how do you expect that it will influence you in your program of study?

PART B: DECLARATION OF ANCESTRY DOCUMENTATION: The applicant must provide valid documentation regarding their First Nation (status and non-status), Métis, Inuit, Band Council, Tribal Council, Treaty, community, nation or organizational affiliation. Documents must be clear photocopies, scans or photographs. FIAP will not accept genealogies or membership applications in process.

Accepted documentation may include:

A copy of a valid Indian Status or Treaty card;
A copy of a valid Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities;
A copy of a membership card from a Métis registry recognized by the Métis National Council (Métis Nation of Ontario, the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Nation British Columbia);
A copy of a membership card from a Métis Settlement General Council community.
Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, or on the band list of an individual band, or on the Inuit roll;
Written confirmation of nationhood in a federally recognized band council which has its own citizenship code; or
A self-declaration of Indigenous (status or non-status) identity by the candidate with supporting documentation from either an official in a recognized Indigenous organization or a relative in an Indigenous community.

The IHTF reserves the right to verify the documentation submitted.

PART C: LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation from an Indigenous community that outlines why they support the applicant seeking consideration through FIAP. Acceptable recommendations can be provided by diverse Indigenous communities/organizations; for example: Elders, Friendship Centres, teachers/professors, guidance/academic counselors, mentors, or professionals who can speak to the applicant's attributes and can clearly speak to the applicant as an Indigenous person. The letter of recommendation should be typed in 12-point font and not exceed 1000 words.

*Oral Recommendation: Applicants may request an oral recommendation for those referees with accessibility issues or Elders. Applicants must provide the name, phone number and best times to reach their referee. The IHTF will make two attempts to reach the referee. This time must be between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm EST, Monday-Friday and no later than two weeks after the program application deadline. Organizations with letterhead may not request an oral interview.

PART D: ENGAGEMENT WITH THE (ABORIGINAL) INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY: Applying to McMaster through the FIAP is an agreement by the applicant to meet with the Faculty Advisor or Director of the ISHS office twice a year. The objectives of these meetings are to ensure the applicant is meeting their academic goals; are aware of the multiple supports available to them (scholarships, bursaries, tutoring, mentorship, Elders, advocacy, professional development, etc.) In addition, students are provided with a connection to the Indigenous communities (Indigenous Students Health Sciences Office, Indigenous Student Services, undergraduate and graduate student groups) at McMaster.

HOW THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED: Members of the IHTF will review the applications. Applications will then be endorsed by the IHTF for consideration under the facilitated admissions process for the program(s) applied for, or recommended for consideration in the general pool. An endorsement by the IHTF of an applicant does not ensure acceptance to a program. It allows the applicant to apply under the Indigenous-specific criteria of the program. Applicants must still complete all program and supplementary applications. The IHTF membership includes the Faculty Advisor and Director of ISHS (Director does not review files), Indigenous Faculty, an Indigenous community representative and an Indigenous health professional or health organization member, an Indigenous graduate or undergraduate student or ISHS Mentor, and Elder. Applicants will receive an email when the decision is made and all decisions of the IHTF are final.

NOTE: Only one FIAP application is necessary if applying to more than one program within the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. Applicants must be mindful of the various deadline dates if applying to more than one program using the FIAP.

If you are applying to a Faculty of Health Sciences Program and have previously received FIAP Self-Id approval by the IHTF you do not need to reapply through the FIAP. Please email IHTF before the program application deadline identifying your program application, your FIAP approval and the year provided.

PRIVACY & INFORMATION COLLECTION: The information you provide on any application for admissions will be protected and used in compliance with Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSO 1990) and will be disclosed only in accordance with this Act. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact the ISHS office.

Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP): Self-Identification Policy

Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP):

Self-Identification policy

With an understanding that Indigenous learners can face specific barriers or challenges when pursuing higher education, schools and programs within McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences have facilitated admissions streams for applicants with Indigenous North American (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) ancestry. This process is intended to provide equitable access to Indigenous applicants and aligns with the intent of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action. Most notably, the facilitated admissions process supports Call to Action #23 which states, “We call upon all levels of government to I. Increase the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the healthcare field. II. Ensure the retention of Aboriginal health-care providers in Aboriginal communities. III. Provide cultural competency training for all healthcare professionals.”

The FIAP Self-Identification policy is for the Faculty of Health Sciences. This policy applies to current and future programs or schools that have or will engage in a facilitated admissions stream for all Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Metis) applicants regardless of program type (undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate). The purpose of this policy is to assist schools/programs with the student self-identification component of the facilitated Indigenous admissions process only.

In order to assist students with preparation for the application process they are encouraged to contact the Indigenous Students Health Sciences (ISHS) office. The ISHS office provides guidance to Indigenous applicants to health sciences and offers workshops on the Multi Mini Interview (MMI) preparation; copies of MCAT study guides and practice tests for example. Students are also encouraged to speak with the Indigenous Student Services/Indigenous Studies Program academic advisor in their degree planning.

Applicants wishing to apply through McMaster’s FIAP need to complete the following self-identification application in addition to the McMaster university and program specific application processes. The FIAP application is submitted to McMaster’s Indigenous Health Task Force (IHTF) through the ISHS office website. Incomplete applications past the program(s) admission deadline will not be considered. ISHS office does not review FIAP applications nor do they accept documentation for the FIAP.

The application must include all parts of sections A through C

PART A: LETTER OF CONSIDERATION

The letter is used by the reviewers on the IHTF to better understand the social/cultural context of the applicant. The letter of consideration should not exceed 800

words and must include:

I. A request for consideration under the Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Process.

II. A brief overview of the applicant's academic and personal background that highlights the reasons and motivation for chosen health profession(s).

III. A declaration of self-identification as an Indigenous person with a response to the following questions:

Why are you requesting consideration under FIAP?
What does your Indigenous identity mean to you and how do you expect that it will influence you in your program of study?

PART B: DECLARATION OF ANCESTRY DOCUMENTATION

The applicant must provide valid documentation regarding their First Nation (status and non-status), Métis, Inuit, Band Council, Tribal Council, Treaty, community, nation or organizational affiliation. Documents must be clear photocopies, scans or photographs. FIAP will not accept genealogies or membership applications in process.

Accepted documentation may include:

a. A copy of a valid Indian Status or Treaty card;

b. A copy of a valid Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities;

c. A copy of a membership card from a Métis registry recognized by the Métis National Council (Métis Nation of Ontario, the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Nation British Columbia);

d. A copy of a membership card from a Métis Settlement General Council community.

e. Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, or on the band list of an individual band, or on the Inuit roll;

f. Written confirmation of nationhood in a federally recognized band council which has its own citizenship code; or

g. A self-declaration of Indigenous (status or non-status) identity by the candidate with supporting documentation from either an official in a recognized Indigenous organization or a relative in an Indigenous community.

The IHTF reserves the right to verify the documentation submitted.

PART C: LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Recommendation from an Indigenous community that outlines why they support the applicant seeking consideration through FIAP. Acceptable recommendations can be provided by diverse Indigenous communities/organizations; for example: Elders, Friendship Centres, teachers/professors, guidance/academic counselors, mentors, or professionals who can speak to the applicant's attributes and can clearly speak to the applicant as an Indigenous person. The letter of recommendation should not exceed 1000 words and typed in 12-point font.

*Oral Recommendation: Applicants may request an oral recommendation for those referees with accessibility issues or Elders. Applicants must provide the name, phone number and best times to reach their referee. The IHTF will make two attempts to reach the designated person between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST. Organizations with letterhead may not request an oral interview.

PART D: Engagement with the [Aboriginal] Indigenous community

Applying to McMaster through the FIAP is an agreement by the applicant to meet with the Faculty Advisor or Director of the ISHS office twice a year. The objectives of these meetings are to ensure the applicant is meeting their academic goals; are aware of the multiple supports available to them (scholarships, bursaries, tutoring, mentorship, Elders, advocacy, professional development etc.) In addition, students are provided with a connection to the Indigenous communities (Indigenous Students Health Sciences Office, Indigenous Student Services, undergraduate and graduate student groups) at McMaster.

HOW THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED

Members of the IHTF will review the applications.

Applications will then be endorsed by the IHTF for consideration under the facilitated admissions process for the program(s) applied for, or recommended for consideration in the general pool.

An endorsement by the IHTF of an applicant does not ensure acceptance to a program. It allows the applicant to apply under the Indigenous specific criteria of the program. Applicants must still complete all program and supplementary applications.

The IHTF membership includes the Faculty Advisor and Director of ISHS, Indigenous Faculty, an Indigenous community representative and an Indigenous health professional or health organization member, an ISHS Mentor, and Elders.

The decisions of the IHTF are final.

NOTE:

Only one FIAP application is necessary if applying to more than one program within the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. Applicants must be mindful of the various deadline dates if applying to more than one program using the FIAP.

Approved September 19, 2016 Indigenous Health Task Force

Approved April 24, 2017 Indigenous Education Council

Approved July 5, 2017 Health Sciences Education Council

Approved September 27, 2017 FHS Faculty Executive Committee

Approved October 17, 2017 Graduate Council

Approved November 8, 2017 Senate

Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP): Self-Identification Application

Click here for the Online FIAP Application.

Please be advised, any applications submitted by 11:59 October 3 2022 WILL be considered in this round of applications for the MD Program

* GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP FOR INDIGENOUS APPLICANTS HSc

Please complete the FIAP application and select the Graduate Scholarship listed under Program of Entry

The following program(s) are accepting FIAP Applications:

Bachelor of Health Sciences
BHSc Biomedical Discovery & Commercialization
BSc Nursing
Master Neuroscience
MD/PhD
Medicine
Midwifery
MSc Biochemistry
MSc Biomedical Discovery & Commercialization
MSc Child Life & Pediatric Psychosocial Care
MSc eHealth
MSc Global Health
MSc Health Research Methodology
MSc Health Science Education
MSc Medical Sciences
MSc Nursing
MSc Occupational Therapy
MSc Physiotherapy
Master of Public Health
MSc Rehabilitation Science-Course Based
MSc Rehabilitation Science-Thesis
MSc Speech Language Pathology
PhD Biochemistry
PhD Health Policy
PhD Health Research Methodology
PhD Medical Sciences
PhD Neuroscience
PhD Nursing
PhD Rehabilitation Science
Physician Assistant

Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Scholarships for Indigenous Applicants

All incoming Indigenous graduate applicants to Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Programs through the FIAP are eligible for the award.

Applicants who are completing a FIAP application for a facilitated graduate program are automatically considered.