The OPC recognizes that many aspects of the education system have created and perpetuated harm to Indigenous students, families and communities. As partners and leaders in education, we have an obligation to disrupt past practices and engage in new practices in a good way to better serve Indigenous and other under-served communities.

The Indigenous Leadership Circle is intended to provide an opportunity for Indigenous OPC Members to provide feedback and guidance to the OPC from both a governance and operational point of view. This includes position(s) on the new Board of Directors and other ways to foster voice and self-determination for Indigenous OPC Members. This group is only for Indigenous Members; allies and other supporters are encouraged to consider other opportunities such as the OPC Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

The formation of the Indigenous Leadership Circle has been guided by Elders, Knowledge Keepers and community members from different Indigenous communities in Ontario as well as input from Indigenous OPC Members over the course of multiple meetings, conversations and gatherings over many months. We are grateful for the wisdom, knowledge and questions that Indigenous people have shared and the trust they have placed in us to engage in this process and this work.    

The OPC recognizes and affirms the importance of Indigenous identities that are grounded in ancestry, kinship and community. We recognize that Indigenous citizenship or membership can only be verified by legitimate Indigenous communities and governments. Throughout this process and going forward, the OPC has been guided and will continue to be guided by an Indigenous advisory group made up of Elders, Knowledge Keepers and community members who will also be consulted to review scenarios where an applicant may not have documentation due to the impact of colonial policies and practices. As much as this may be challenging and difficult for some, unfortunately, tenuous or fraudulent claims of First Nations, Inuit and Métis identity cause harm to Indigenous communities.

Applicants to the OPC Indigenous Leadership Circle can confirm their Indigenous identity through the submission of documentary evidence (such as status, enrolment or citizenship cards), familial connection and documentation or a letter from a recognized organization, government or nation. Alternatively, as traditional documented evidence may not exist, applicants can provide a statement or other evidence which will then be reviewed by the committee. All information submitted by all applicants will be considered confidential and will only be seen by a few OPC staff as well as members of the Advisory group only as needed. 

The application form also contains more details regarding acceptable evidence.