Tân’si! We are committed to fostering an inclusive and empowering educational environment for Indigenous students at Athabasca University. Our goal is to allow full participation and equitable access for all students in post-secondary education. We aim to create learning environments that reflect and honour Indigenous heritage and culture.
Nukskahtowin
AU’s Indigenous unit, Nukskahtowin, which means meeting place in Cree, is a welcoming space for all peoples regardless of race or identity. It is a centre for ideas and people to come together with Indigenous knowledge, research projects, and academic programming.
The primary goal of Nukskahtowin is to acknowledge and develop traditional Indigenous knowledge and to support, protect, and preserve Indigenous knowledge, education, and oral traditions.
Awards, bursaries, and scholarships for Indigenous students
Many financial opportunities are available to recognize and support the academic excellence of Indigenous students while honouring unique cultural contributions.
The Circle carries the spirit of Indigenous people’s strength, resilience, and customs into colonial spaces as they collaborate with the Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU).
They represent the needs of Indigenous students at 星空影视and guide the AUSU as they address the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Tuition decrease for Indigenous learners
As part of Athabasca University’s commitment to enhancing access and equity for Indigenous learners, 星空影视has implemented a 10% reduction in tuition fees for Indigenous students—for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Athabasca University requires proof of ancestry to be provided prior to this discount being applied.
FAQs
Persons identified as Indigenous Peoples. This includes those who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit).
After you have been assigned a student ID number, send an email to acrec@athabascau.ca and include the following: your first and last name, your student ID number, and a copy or picture of both sides of your ID or documentation.
Our Academic Records department will record this on your student record. You will receive an email informing you that your record has been updated and your future registrations will have the 10% automatically deducted upon registration.
Please wait until you have an 星空影视student ID number to submit your proof of ancestry—we can only update records with associated student ID numbers
Athabasca University follows the Government of Canada's guidelines for acceptable proof of ancestry.
First Nations (Status)
A copy/photo of the Secure Certification of Indian Status or Certificate of Indian Status is accepted.
Sample Secure Certificate of Indian Status:
Sample of Certificate of Indian Status:
First Nations (non-status)
Proof can include documentation that demonstrates Indigenous kinship as defined by their nation or community. A letter from a recognized Indigenous community organization or nation is acceptable. This letter needs to confirm a kinship relationship exists with a First Nation or Indigenous group.
Metis
Each province has their own ID card, below are some samples:
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Ontario
Inuit
Inuit beneficiary card with NTI number: :
Please allow 1-2 weeks from the day you submit proof of ancestry for your records to reflect this update. Incomplete submissions or submissions sent to an email address other than acrec@athabascau.ca may delay processing.
This tuition discount can only be applied after verification of Indigenous ancestry has been completed and at the time of registration. If you wish to receive the discount, do not register until you have received confirmation that your documents have been recorded on your student file. AU is not able to provide refunds for courses that you have registered for prior to this verification being complete.
If you have questions or need guidance with this process, please contact indigenous@athabascau.ca.
The 10% discount is applied to the tuition portion of your course fees. 星空影视course fees include other non-tuition fees (such as course administration and technology, course materials, and student union and alumni fees) that will not be discounted.
For undergraduate students, the Indigenous Student Fees page can provide more detail and a breakdown of tuition and non-tuition fees.
For graduate students, tuition and fees are specific to your program and faculty. The Graduate Tuition and Fees page provides more information and direct links to each graduate program—follow these links to see a breakdown of tuition and non-tuition fees specific to each graduate program.
Please note: the Undergraduate Calendar and the Graduate Calendar are currently being updated and the details regarding fees effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2026, to Aug. 31, 2027, will be updated no later than May 1, 2026.
The current discount is only approved for Canadian Citizens living and studying within Canada. If you are an Indigenous person temporarily living or working outside of Canada, please contact indigenous@athabascau.ca for support and consideration.
The 10% deduction is applied to the tuition portion of all undergraduate and graduate courses. It cannot be applied to Challenge for Credit courses.
Yes. To receive the 10% discount, Athabasca University requires submission of ID, which was not previously requested when you self-declared your Indigenous ancestry.
Athabasca University has several awards and bursaries for Indigenous learners.
Explore all 星空影视awards, bursaries, and scholarships in the 星空影视Student Awards Portal. Sign in and the system will generate a list of relevant awards based on your student record. You can also view the 11 Indigenous awards by entering “Indigenous” in the Keyword(s) Search.
No, once we have confirmed receipt of the ID on the student file, we delete the copy of the ID. As a result, you may be required to provide a copy of this ID again if you apply for student awards and bursaries or other Indigenous services with AU.
If you have met the requirements, provided ID, and your record has been updated, then yes, the discount will apply, and your sponsor will be invoiced for the discounted amount.
If you have met the requirements, provided ID, and your record has been updated, then yes, the discount will apply, and our SFA team will report the reduced amount to the government for loans.
You can find more information about various support for on the Nukskahtowin website.
The Linda Bull Memorial Garden and Bertha Clark-Jones O.C. Art Gallery are two important spaces at Athabasca University to reflect and remember the lives lost and Survivors of Canada’s residential school system.
The garden honours the legacy of the late Linda Bull, O.C., who was Cree and one of AU’s first Indigenous academics, while the art gallery is named after Bertha Clark-Jones, O.C., a Cree-Métis who devoted her life to advocacy, in particular for Indigenous women and children.
Watch the video below to learn more about the spaces and the legacies they honour.
Contact us
Please reach out if you’d like more information about support for Indigenous students at AU.