INDIGENOUS STUDENTS 2027/28
WHERE THE RIVERS MEET
Mount Royal University is situated on an ancient and storied land steeped in ceremony and history that, until recently, was occupied exclusively by people indigenous to this place. With gratitude and reciprocity, Mount Royal acknowledges the relationships to the land and all beings, and the songs, stories and teachings of the Siksika Nation, Piikani Nation and Kainai Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina Nation, the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney Nations of the Îethka Stoney Nakoda and the Métis.
VIEW THE FULL LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS STUDENT SUCCESS At MRU, education is more than what’s found in textbooks — it’s rooted in connection, culture and community. There is a vibrant Indigenous student community at MRU, and Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are embraced and woven into our way of being. Here, you’ll grow beyond expectations and shape a future that reflects your unique path. MRU’s long-standing history with Treaty 7 communities stretches back to our partnership with Old Sun Community College that started in the 1970s. We are always striving to learn and evolve, and we are committed to the ongoing work of Indigenization and decolonization.
Average class size of 31 students
Meaningful relationships with faculty and fellow learners
Intimate learning environments that foster dialogue and collaborative learning
Focus on work-integrated learning and career readiness
INDIGENOUS CAREER MENTORSHIP
mru.ca/IndigenousCareerMentorship
Inspired by Indigenous ways of knowing and offered through Career Services, one-on-one mentors support students to thrive in their chosen career path by developing new skills, building confidence and making
Dedicated Indigenous programs and supports
valuable professional connections. Indigenous students have access to career mentors for up to five years following their graduation.
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WELCOME TO THE INISKIM CENTRE
mru.ca/Iniskim
Iniskim is a place of transformation, belonging and identity. Bring your whole self to Iniskim, connect with a welcoming community and find a support system that will help you reach your potential and achieve your dreams. The Iniskim Centre offers programs and services that foster academic success while also raising awareness of Indigenous peoples, cultures and history.
NAMING OF INISKIM The word Iniskim means Buffalo Calling Stone and the stone holds special meaning to the Niitsitapi (Nit-sit-a-pee) (Blackfoot). Today, we refer to education as the new inii, and we are calling out to students to attend university for the opportunity to provide better lives for their communities, families and themselves.
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INDIGENOUS UNIVERSITY BRIDGING PROGRAM
mru.ca/IUBP
Mount Royal University's Indigenous University Bridging Program (IUBP) prepares Indigenous students for university by combining
STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM Each week, the Student Success Program offers a variety of services for Indigenous students that help foster a sense of wellness and belonging.
academic upgrading and first-year university courses with
Student success workshops
Indigenous cultural support. With tutoring, advising, social events
Gain practical skills to help you thrive at university. Workshops cover
and community connections, IUBP creates a welcoming space to
topics like preparing for university, effective learning strategies, math,
boost grades, gain confidence and experience post-secondary life.
writing and more.
Class examples High school level
BMO Peer Mentorship Program Managed by the Iniskim Centre, this mentorship program connects Indigenous students through shared culture, offering support, skill-
» English 30-1 » Aboriginal Studies 30
building and community with peer-to-peer guidance. The program
» Math 30-2 /30-1 » Biology 30
their academic skills through education, culture, community and wellness.
University credit courses
Drop-in support
» UGST 1101 (Effective Learning in the Undergraduate Context) » INST 1101 (Introduction to Indigenous Studies) » PSYC 1105 (Introduction to Psychology)
empowers both the mentor and mentee to establish relationships and hone mru.ca/BMOPeerMentor
You’ll have access to tutorial services, academic and personal advising, social events and visits from community members.
Counselling services If you’re looking for additional support, you can request to meet with an MRU counsellor right in the Iniskim Centre — offering a safe and familiar space to talk.
MEDICINE TRAIL PROGRAM
mru.ca/MedicineTrail
Naato’ohsokay The Medicine Trail Program provides cultural insight and advice on Indigenous programming and development. By fostering a holistic approach to wellness, the program offers traditional medicines for smudging within the Iniskim Centre, as well as access to ceremonies throughout the year. Take part in group cultural teachings or spend time with our coordinator, who is here to support and guide you.
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INDIGENOUS HOUSING PROGRAM
mru.ca/IHP
The Indigenous Housing Program provides culturally supported and affordable single-room and family units for students who selfidentify as First Nations, Métis, Non-status or Inuit. Students qualify for housing based on academic readiness, academic and career goals, and financial need.
Residence application opens Oct. 1, 2026
Single units
Family units
Single units are located in East
Residents of family units live on
Residence townhouse-style units
campus year-round with their
and West Residence apartments,
children. Family units are in the
among Indigenous students
East Residence townhouses — a
and non-Indigenous students.
quiet area of campus that offers a small, family-friendly community with play structures and a garden.
East Residence TWO-BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE
FOUR-BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE
117 sq.ft.
88 sq.ft. 88 sq.ft.
REDUCE RESIDENCE FEES ALL SELF-IDENTIFIED INDIGENOUS STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A BURSARY TO REDUCE RESIDENCE FEES
117 sq.ft.
88 sq.ft. 88 sq.ft.
Don’t wait — inquire with Iniskim’s housing and events
Main floor
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Upper floor
Main floor
Upper floor
coordinator today. Bursaries and rooms are limited.
FINANCING OPTIONS If you’re wondering about how to finance your education or if you qualify for funding, we’re here to help. The following options are available to Indigenous students:
Sponsorship
Scholarships and bursaries
Student loans
If you are a sponsored student approved to have
Mount Royal offers hundreds of awards based
If you are receiving Indigenous and Northern
your tuition and mandatory fees billed to a third
on academic success, your financial situation
Affairs Canada/Band Funds, you can still apply for
party (employer/sponsoring agency —
and extracurricular participation. Accepted
Government Student Loans should you require
Advancing Futures/Band), please ensure
Indigenous students are eligible for both general
additional funding. For residents of Alberta, visit
all proper documentation is forwarded to
and Indigenous-specific scholarships and
studentaid.alberta.ca to apply for government
Financial Services before each fee deadline. mru.ca/StudentSponsorships
bursaries. Apply for awards from Nov. 1 to March 1. mru.ca/Awards
loans online. Applications open in June 2027.
AN EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY When Mount Royal University alumna Sofia Baptiste first arrived on campus, she was searching for a post-secondary education but felt that she was living in two worlds, unsure about how her Blackfoot, Tsuut’ina and Cree
A huge part of my undergrad was connecting to my culture. I was able to meet with other people from other communities and that led me to so many opportunities to learn more about my culture. — SOFIA BAPTISTE, MRU ALUMNA, ANTHROPOLOGY
heritage fit in with academia. What she found at MRU was not only academic growth, but also a deeper connection to her own identity through Powwow dancing and Indigenous ways of knowing. Today, Baptiste is an MRU alum and completing her Master of Education in the Niitsitapiisinni: Real Peoples' Way of Life Program at the University of Calgary.
READ SOFIA'S FULL STORY HERE
INISKIM CENTRE MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY T110 (first level) 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3E 6K6 t. 403.440.5596 f. 403.440.7207
indigenous@mtroyal.ca mru.ca/Indigenous
Our goal is to indigenize Mount Royal University, to respect and embrace Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing, to integrate Indigenous teachings and practices, to support Indigenous learners, and to honour Indigenous experiences and identities. Gifted by Elder Miiksika'am of Siksika Nation, the name of our Indigenization and Decolonization Strategic Framework is Inii Awattoo, or Buffalo on the Move. mru.ca/IniiAwattoo