Applicants applying through the Indigenous Admission Stream must meet the admission and application requirements outlined on the Application Information & Admission Requirements page and submit all required application documentation for their application to be considered.
As a key to increasing the Indigenous physician workforce, NOSM University designates a minimum of six (6) seats each year to Indigenous students who have significant living experience and/or a cultural connection to Northern Ontario. This is an indication of our commitment to recruiting Indigenous students; however, this is a minimum, not the total number of Indigenous students that we will admit.
Persons who identify as Indigenous may choose one of the following options:
1. Self-identify as Indigenous and apply to the General Admission Stream only or
2. Apply to the Indigenous Admission Stream.
The Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee will review the stream-required documents for all applicants who apply through the Indigenous Admissions Stream, meet the minimum requirements, and provide all the required stream documentation. Applicants reviewed by the Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee may receive a higher context score.
Applicants who do not meet the requirements or do not submit all required documentation to support their application to the Indigenous Admission Stream will be considered through the General Admission Stream.
Applicants who want to self-identify but do not apply to the Indigenous Admission Stream are not required to submit any documentation and will not be considered for admission through the Indigenous Admission Stream.
Indigenous Admission Stream Requirements
Persons of Indigenous ancestry (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) who apply to the Indigenous Admission Stream must submit the following documentation:
Personal Letter
In the personal letter, applicants must tell the Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee about their background and their involvement with and contribution to their Indigenous community. The letter should include:
- Why the applicant would like to be considered as an applicant in the Indigenous Admission Stream
- Details about the applicant’s cultural and personal background. Applicants should provide specific information about their background and how they are involved with their Indigenous community. Indigenous communities could be First Nation, Métis, or Inuit, Treaty community or organizational affiliation, such as a Student Centre, Friendship Centre, or a Volunteer Organization that supports Indigenous people and communities.
- Examples of how they are culturally connected to their Indigenous community (activities, ceremonies, celebrations, traditions, language, etc.)
The letter must not be longer than one thousand (1,000) words.
Recommendation Letter
Applicants must provide a recommendation letter that attests to their connection to the Indigenous community. This letter can be provided by a diverse Indigenous community/organization. For instance, the letter could come from a First Nation Band Council, Métis Community Council, recognized Indigenous leader, community Elder, Indigenous academic scholar, school counsellor, or Indigenous organization.
The letter’s author should know about the applicant’s connection and contribution to the Indigenous community. Applicants should choose someone who knows them well and can speak to their community connection. If the Band/Community leadership does not know the applicant well, a Spiritual Leader/Elder/Senator might be more appropriate. The letter should not be from a family member.
In the letter, the author must include their:
- full name
- title
- address
- telephone number and
- email address.
AND
the author must answer the following questions:
- What is your relationship to the applicant?
- In what capacity do you know the applicant?
- How many years have you known the applicant?
- Describe the activities supporting the applicant’s connection and involvement with the Indigenous community. The following details would support your letter: Nature of the activity, the frequency or the duration of said activity/activities.
NOTE: We will accept only one (1) letter of recommendation. Additional letters will not be considered.
Declaration of Ancestry Documentation
Provide documentation regarding First Nation (status and non-status), Inuit, Métis, Band Council, Tribal Council, Treaty, community, nation or organizational affiliation.
Photocopies should be clear, showing all information, and include the front and back of documents.
Acceptable documentation may include:
- A copy of a Status or Treaty card;
- A copy of a Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities;
- A copy of a membership card issued by a Métis registry from the Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta and Métis Nation British Columbia;
- Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, on the band list of an individual band or the Inuit roll;
- Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from the Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada;
- Written confirmation of membership in a band council that has its own membership code;
- Other acceptable documentation.
Applicants wishing to apply to the Indigenous Admission Stream must submit these three (3) required documents to OMSAS via Secure Applicant Messaging (SAM) by the application deadline.
Information regarding supports and resources available to Indigenous students at NOSM University can be found by visiting the Indigenous Medical Education webpage.