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, including the McMaster Indigenous Ancestry Verification process starting in the 2026 application year. The FIAP self-identification application is submitted to McMaster’s Indigenous Health Task Force (IHTF) through the online application housed on the IHLL website. Incomplete applications past the program(s) admission deadline will not be considered.

Note: The IHLL does not accept nor review documentation for the FIAP. All applications must be submitted to the IHTF through the application portal housed on the IHLL website.

Applicants are responsible to ensure that all application documents are submitted, and program and FIAP application deadlines are met. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the program(s) admission deadline will not be considered.

Application to the FIAP is separate from FHS program applications and endorsement by the IHTF 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 completed 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:

1. A request for consideration under the Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Process;
2. A brief overview of the applicant’s academic and personal background that highlights the reasons and motivation for chosen health profession(s);
3. 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 (for 2025-2026 application cycle):

The applicant must provide valid documentation regarding their First Nation (status and non-status), Métis, Inuit, Elected 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 (but is not limited to:

• A copy of a valid Certificate of 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 all documentation submitted.

Update August 2024: In alignment with the roll out of the McMaster Indigenous Ancestry Verification Process for current McMaster students, applicants previously verified through the McMaster Indigenous Education Council verification committee process may submit their verification acceptance documents in lieu of the above documentation.

 

PART B: DECLARATION OF ANCESTRY DOCUMENTATION (for 2026-2027 application cycle and beyond):

Applicants to McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences programs must complete the McMaster University Indigenous Ancestry Application in addition to the FIAP application. All documentation submitted for purposes of Indigenous Ancestry Verification will be overseen by the Indigenous Education Council and accessed by members of the Indigenous Ancestry Verification Committee only.

More information can be found here

https://iec.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2024/07/Ancestry-Verification-Guidelines_2024_Final_06_11.pdf  

 

PART C:  LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation from an Indigenous community that outlines why they support the applicant seeking consideration through Facilitated Indigenous Admissions stream for the FHS program(s) they are applying to. 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. Letters should be on letterhead where available, and signed by the writer.

*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 recommendation.

Note: the recommendation letter is separate from any declaration of identity documents and should speak specifically to why the writer recommends the applicant’s consideration for endorsement through the FIAP.

 

PART D: ENGAGEMENT WITH THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY: Applying to McMaster through the FIAP is an agreement by the applicant to meet with a representative of Indigenous Health Learning Lodge 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 Health Learning Lodge, Indigenous Student Services, undergraduate and graduate student groups) at McMaster.

 

HOW THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED:

FIAP applications are reviewed through an Indigenous collective and sovereign decision-making process based on Indigenous practice by members of the Indigenous Health Task Force (IHTF).

Applications are 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 administrative leads of the IHLL (the Learner Services Coordinator 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 IHLL Mentor, and Elder. The IHTF does not maintain applicant files.

Applicants will be notified when a decision is made and all decisions of the IHTF are final.

No appeal procedure shall be available for decisions on admission through the McMaster University FIAP.  Applicants to FHS programs who are not admitted through the FIAP are welcome to reapply in the next application cycle. FIAP applications cannot be updated after review.

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. The FIAP application deadline is the earliest program application deadline of the McMaster program(s) to which you are applying.

To apply to a McMaster program having previously received FIAP application endorsement,  please email the IHLL (ihll@mcmaster.ca) before the  earliest program application deadline, identifying your program application, your FIAP approval and the original year provided.

 

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

Updated August 2024 to align with the 2024 McMaster Indigenous Ancestry Verification Process through the Indigenous Education Council.