The Rainy River District School Board (RRDSB) invites students to voluntarily and confidentially self-identify as Indigenous. Elementary and secondary students with First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit ancestry can self-identify, based on any degree of ancestry (Status, Non-Status, Métis citizenship, etc.). Self-identification can be withdrawn at any time.
RRDSB, in accordance with the Ministry of Education, Ontario, does not require proof of identity to self-identify.
The benefits of self-identifying include, but are not limited to:
- Providing students with FNMI ancestry access to opportunities, resources, and supports they may need to reach their goals.
- Access to cultural and language programming.
- Access for students to information about leadership experiences and post-secondary pathways, including information about scholarships and bursaries.
- Building strong partnerships between First Nation and Métis families and communities.
Self-Identification process
Caregivers of student(s) under 18 years of age can identify their student(s) as having FNMI ancestry. Students over 18 years of age can self-identify on their own. This information will only be shared outside of RRDSB with the Ministry of Education and the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) in aggregate only. A copy is kept in the Ontario Student Record (OSR).
To self-identify, please complete the
online RRDSB Indigenous Self-Identification form or fill out the
hard-copy RRDSB Indigenous Self-Identification form and return it to your school.
For more information, or to answer any questions you may have, please visit the Ontario First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework on the
Ministry of Education's website, read the below Frequently Asked Questions, or
contact us by e-mail.