After the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) published their release that they rejected Memorial University’s Indigenous verification process, student Makaela Blake took to social media to share her thoughts on the matter.
Blake states that NCC’s statement makes no sense and that “We all know MUN is going to accept NCC cards as Indigenous identity verification because if they don’t, then people will expect them to reject Qalipu as well, and if they do that, the office of Indigenous Affairs will be down to only the VP Indigenous.”
Furthermore, Blake states that “there absolutely needs to be some actual Indigenous verification at MUN, especially when applying for scholarships, funding, jobs, reserved seats in programs.” Blake states that as an “Indigenous” government, one would think NCC would want to ensure the beneficiaries will not have these opportunities taken from them by someone who does not deserve them.
However, Blake states that MUN’s Indigenous verification is a joke and “MUN is spending a fortune to change nothing, only to make themselves look better after the Vianne scandal.” Blake points to MUN’s recent decision to cut youth foster bursaries and that Indigenous children are overrepresented in the foster care program.
“Memorial University of Newfoundland, if you really want to commit to reconciliation, invest in your students, not your publicity stunts. Bring back the foster care bursaries, lower tuition, and cut the crap,” says Blake.
Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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