Indigenous St. Lawrence College is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Peoples. May we always be grateful to live and learn on these lands.
Indigenous Services
Whether you are new to the city or new to St. Lawrence College, the transition to post-secondary education can sometimes be overwhelming. You are not alone! Our Indigenous Student Advisors are here to help you succeed by providing support throughout your entire SLC journey. All self-identified Indigenous students are eligible to access services; proof of ancestry is not required.
In addition, the Waasaabiiidaasamose Indigenous Centre on each campus provides a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere – a home away from home! Students can meet other Indigenous students, participate in activities, or simply relax. The Centre is also open to any member of our SLC community who is interested in learning more about Indigenous cultures.
The Tipi Project
The Tipi Project at St. Lawrence College's Kingston campus stands as a testament to collaboration, cultural respect, and educational innovation. Initiated in early 2023, this endeavor brought together students, staff, and skilled trades experts under the guidance of Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Helena Neveu. Guided by Anishinaabe Elder Bernard Nelson, the Tipi was ceremonially erected, becoming a physical embodiment of unity and tradition on campus. Click here to learn more.
Our Goals
- To support students throughout every aspect of their SLC journey – from pre-registration to graduation
- To introduce students to the requirements of College life and help them successfully navigate through these
- To help students maximize opportunities that will empower them to realize their full academic and personal potential
- To provide a safe place for students to have their voices heard by sharing culture and concerns, talking about things that are important to Indigenous students, and expressing and developing their own Indigenous identity
- To facilitate student participation in the overall life of the College community
Frequently Asked Questions
No – but you must be on our Indigenous student list. So, if you did not check the box for Indigenous students when you applied to College through OCAS, please contact your Indigenous Advisor (Mary Ann or Shirley).
No – crafts and activities are free to Indigenous students.
We can give you suggestions on how to start or continue your search, but we do not do the search for you.
Please send sponsorship letters to sponsorship@sl.on.ca.
indigenous bursaries, scholarships, and funding opportunities
Each year Indigenous students can apply for a student bursary.
To be eligible for a bursary you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a student with Indigenous ancestry. Indigenous ancestry includes First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Proof of status is NOT required.
- You must demonstrate a financial need. A financial information page is part of the application.
- You must be an Ontario resident. To be considered an Ontario resident, you must have lived in Ontario for 12 consecutive months before becoming a full-time post-secondary student.
- You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident/Protected Person.
Indspire helps thousands of Indigenous students complete their education through financial support. We can help you, too! Indspire offers bursaries, scholarships, and awards for Indigenous students in post-secondary education programs, including full and part-time studies in college, university, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technology programs.
There is one application for all of Indspire’s bursaries, scholarships, and awards (with a few exceptions noted on their website). You only need to complete the application once to be considered for all applicable bursaries, scholarships, and awards for the September 2021 to August 2022 academic year.
Application Deadlines: August 1, November 1, February 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Learn more and apply at indspire.ca/myfuture
The Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool is a searchable list of more than 680 bursaries, scholarships and incentives across Canada, offered by governments, universities and colleges, private and public companies, individual Canadians, organizations, and others.
Facilitated Admission for Indigenous Students
This pathway for Indigenous students will consider applications to highly competitive programs, placing less weight on background academic performance. Applicants in this pathway must meet the minimum entrance requirements for their program choice(s) to be considered for a highly competitive program. Admission requirements vary across post-secondary programs at St. Lawrence College.
Application Process
Applicants in this pathway must:
- Meet the minimum entrance requirements for their program choice(s) to be considered for a highly competitive program
- Complete the Facilitated Admission for Indigenous Student form by February 1
- Complete their application to St. Lawrence College with all transcripts and proof of enrollment through ontariocolleges.ca by February 1
- Proof of Indigenous ancestry required documentation (one of the following):
- Status card
- Band Membership card
- Red card (Haudenosaunee Identification Card)
- Certificate of Aboriginal Status Membership card from the provincial affiliate of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
- Citizenship card issued by a Métis National Council governing member (for example, Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan)
- Land claim beneficiary card
- American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian citizenship document from tribes that are state or federally recognized or recognized by the National Congress of American Indians. SLC promises to waive the international student tuition differential for students who are verified members of Indigenous nations in the United States of America. This commitment is part of the College’s recognition of the spirit of the Jay Treaty of 1794.
Indigenous Community Resources
- Aboriginal and Rural Women’s Outreach Program
- Akwesasne Mohawk Board of Education
- Akwesasne Career & Employment Support Services (ACESS)
- Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic Separate School Board
- First Nations Jobs Online
- First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI)
- Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre
- Napanee Community Health Centre
- Indian Time Newspaper (Akwesasne)
- Indigenous Futures in Engineering (Queen’s University)
- Indigenous Peoples’ Education Circle
- Indigenous Teacher Education Program Office (Queen's)
- Indspire Bursaries and Scholarships
- Kagita Mikam Employment and Training
- Kakivak (funding for Inuit students)
- Kingston Aboriginal Community Information Network Facebook Page
- Limestone District School Board
- Métis Nation of Ontario
- Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
- Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
- Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Community Wellbeing Centre
- Native North American Travelling College
- Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (SOADI)
- Street Health Centre – Indigenous Health Program
- Tipi Moza (Indigenous Housing)
Aanii! // Greetings!
I am an Ojibwe woman that belongs to the Eagle Clan from Waawaaskiiniigaa more formally known as Whitefish River First Nation in the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory.
My experience at St. Lawrence College at first was difficult due to the culture shock while attempting to create a healthy work life balance being 8 hours away from home. Despite this, St. Lawrence College does a great job of supporting in-coming Indigenous students pursuing their future
aspirations and provides many means of support. For instance, keys are available for Indigenous students to access the Institution on a 24-hour basis in case you need a space to complete work at any time of the day or night. Additionally, Indigenous advisors and counselors are available to provide any guidance or assistance necessary.
I encourage all on-coming Indigenous students to volunteer and to be involved as much as you can without hindering the progress of your
schooling as I wish I would have participated more. I also encourage you to form strong relations with the other Indigenous students attending your campus and to build healthy relationships through the great workshops and activities provided by the college. Lastly, I wish you all the best and success in your future endeavors!
Mno Yah // In Good Spirits