SUNDANCe Indigenous Award

The SUNDANCe Indigenous Award was established to recognize First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students who give back to their communities.

Granted to full-time Indigenous students who are attending Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, the University of Waterloo, Conrad Grebel College, Renison College, St. Jerome's College, United College and the University of Guelph.

The completed online application must be submitted by March 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. No late applications can be accepted.

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

• Full time registration at one of the above-mentioned institutions (min. 2.0 credits per term),
• Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident (Landed Immigrant) or Protected Person,
• Long term resident of Ontario,
• Confirmed completion of Indigenous identity verification process,
• Demonstrated financial need.

How to Apply for this Award

1. Complete the Indigenous identity verification process

2. Complete the SUNDANCe Indigenous Awards Application

   1. Verification of Eligibility

   2. Budget: Making Ends Meet

   3. Personal Statement:

      What is your involvement with the Indigenous Community?

      You may wish to include details on your accomplishments and volunteer work. The statement is 1000 words max.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I complete the Indigenous Identity Verification Process? 

How do I submit my application?  

How do I demonstrate financial need? 

What is considered a long-term resident of Ontario? 

Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo: Students applying for Indigenous-designated admissions, awards, bursaries, and employment opportunities must now verify their Indigenous identity through the Indigenous Identity Verification Process and by submitting the Indigenous Identity Verification form. This is a requirement of the SUNDANCe Indigenous Award. 

University of Guelph student are required to complete the process now through Indigenous Identity Confirmation Secure Link. For more information about Indigenous Identity confirmation at U of G visit indigenous.uoguelph.ca/identity or contact Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@uoguelph.ca. 

Complete the SUNDANCe Indigenous Awards Application online – this application consists of four parts 

1. Verification of Eligibility.
2. Budget: Making Ends Meet.
3. Personal Statement:

   What is your involvement with the Indigenous Community?

   You may wish to include details on your accomplishments and volunteer work. The statement is 1000 words max.

Through the Budget: Making Ends Meet section of the online application you will input your estimated resources and expenses for 8 months (September to April).  

Budgets require you to subtract expenses from resources. If you have a positive value, you have a surplus and do not demonstrate financial need. If your costs exceed resources, you have a deficit and demonstrate financial need  

Resources: funding and income you can access from September to April  

Expenses: any expenses you expect to pay from September to April 

A long-term resident of Ontario: Ontario is the most recent province where the student lived for 12 consecutive months, not including time as a full-time post-secondary student. 

 

Married/common-law: Ontario is the most recent province in which the student's spouse resided for 12 consecutive months. 

 

Single Dependent Student: Ontario is the most recent province in which the student's parent(s) resided for at least 12 consecutive months.