Indigenous Awards

The university acknowledges and respects the rich diversity of our learners, their communities, their aspirations, and their cultures and traditions. With this in mind, the university provides scholarships, awards and bursaries to Canadian Indigenous students.

Featured Awards

Sheila McDougall Award

  • Award Value: up to $1,000
  • Number of Awards: 1
  • Deadline: May 1, 2024

Learn more

Whitecap Resources Inc. Indigenous Student Award

  • Award value: $4,550
  • Number of awards: 1
  • Deadline: May 1, 2024

Learn more

De Beers Award for Women in Science

  • Award value: $5,000
  • Number of awards: 2
  • Deadline: May 1, 2024

Learn more

Deadlines

  1. Application Opens

    October 1

  2. Application Closes

    December 1

  3. Document Deadline

    December 15

  4. Recipient Notification

    March/April

  1. Application Opens

    October 1

  2. Application Closes

    March 1

  3. Document Deadline

    March 15

  4. Recipient Notification

    April

  1. Application Opens

    March 1

  2. Application Closes

    May 1

  3. Document Deadline

    May 10

  4. Recipient Notification

    July

  1. Application Opens

    No application required - students nominated by home faculty

  2. Application Closes

    No application required - students nominated by home faculty

  3. Document Deadline

    No application required - students nominated by home faculty

  4. Recipient Notification

    July

No application required – nominated by the university's athletics director.

Indigenous award document requirements

The University of Calgary recognizes the following documentation for verifying Indigenous status:

1. Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card), issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Older Status cards may still be used, but if the “valid to” date has passed, students are encouraged to order a new card.

2. Letter from a government-registered First Nations community verifying the student is a member of that First Nation.

1. Band Members who do not have Status can provide a letter from their Band or First Nation on appropriate letterhead and signed by a Band Administrator.

2. Non-status individuals with a Status parent or grandparent, may provide a long-form birth certificate with supporting documents of Indigenous identity from a parent or grandparent.

1. Métis card issued by a member Nation of Métis National Council of Canada, including Métis Nation British Columbia, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation of Ontario and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation.

2. Letter or membership card from one of the member Nations of the Métis Settlements General Council including Buffalo Lake, East Prairie, Elizabeth Lake, Fishing Lake, Gift Lake, Kikino, Paddle Prairie and Peavine.

1. Inuit Beneficiary cards issued through Nunavut Trust.  

2. Letter from a government organization such as Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik, Makivik Corporation or Nunatsiavut in Labrador. 

3. Letter of support from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) or Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.

4. Inuit beneficiary card.

5. Letter from a recognized First Nations community similar to that provided for a person who has Status.

6. Letter from the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and/or one of its affiliated provincial organizations.

7. A letter of support from a First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) organization that is a legal entity, who can attest to a student’s indigenous ancestry.

If the above documentation is not available, students are encouraged to contact Writing Symbols Lodge for support and advice regarding documentation. Find out more.

Receiving award payments