Indigenous Excellence

Student Indigenous Identity Declaration (IID)

Supporting Indigenous Student Success

Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning is committed to Indigenous Excellence in education. A key part of this commitment is the Indigenous Identity Declaration (IID), a voluntary opportunity for parents and caregivers to confidentially identify their child’s Indigenous identity within Manitoba’s K–12 provincial school system.

The IID helps Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning better understand the cultural identity of Indigenous students in Manitoba schools. Using a distinctions based approach, this information supports schools, school divisions, and the department in planning for programs and services that improve student success. Identifying Indigenous students helps schools better understand and support the strengths, needs, and experiences of Indigenous learners.

A new IID form has been created for use beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.

Why Schools Collect This Information

Manitoba schools require accurate information about students to support learning, allocate resources to support appropriate and equitable programming. Personal information about a student is kept in a pupil file, which is an ongoing official record of a student’s educational progress through the Kindergarten – Grade 12 public school system in Manitoba.

School boards are responsible for how pupil information is collected, stored, retrieved, and used. Access to pupil files is governed by:

  • The Public Schools Act (PSA)
  • The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
  • The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA)

Anyone requesting access to pupil file information must contact their school division’s Access and Privacy Coordinator.

About the Indigenous Identity Declaration

The IID collects voluntary information about the ancestral or cultural identity of Indigenous students. Schools use this information, along with school divisions and the department, to develop programs and supports aimed at improving Indigenous student outcomes, achievement and wellbeing.

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Questions & Answers for Parents and Guardians

Families of First Nations, Red River Métis and Inuit students are invited to declare their child’s Indigenous identity within Manitoba’s education system.

Declaring is optional and helps schools and school divisions better support Indigenous students.

  1. Why declare?

    Your declaration helps school divisions to strengthen programs, services and supports designed for Indigenous students. This may include:

    • Enhanced student services
    • Culturally relevant learning opportunities
    • Indigenous language and cultural programming
    • Targeted academic supports

    Declaring ensures your child receives the programming and resources that help them succeed.

  2. How does the declaration process work?

    IID information is collected at the school level and reported annually to Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning to support decisions on programming, funding and resources for Indigenous students.

  3. How is the information stored? Will my information be kept confidential?

    All IID information is protected under The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

  4. Do I have to complete the form? Is it mandatory?

    Providing this information is voluntary.

  5. My partner and I have different Indigenous backgrounds. Which box should we check?

    Choose the identifier that is most meaningful or relevant for your family. Multiple boxes can be marked.

  6. We don’t speak an Indigenous language. Should we still select a cultural identifier?

    Yes. Cultural identifiers refer to ancestry and identity, not language fluency.

  7. We moved to Manitoba and our Indigenous identity is not listed. What do we choose?

    Select “Other” and write in the identity.

  8. The spelling of our language or nation is different from the form. Are they the same?

    Most likely, yes. Many Nations and groups have multiple accepted spellings (e.g., Ojibwe/Ojibway/Ojibwa).

  9. Do I need to declare my child every year?

    No. Once you have completed the new form (effective September 2026), the declaration remains on file.

    You only need to update it if your child is new to the Manitoba school system or if information changes.

  10. If we change school divisions, do we need to fill out the IID form again?

    Yes, the new school divisions will likely request that you fill out a new form when you change divisions.

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Below are descriptions to support families and schools when completing the IID.

Indigenous peoples in Canada include:

First Nations

Includes individuals who identify as:

  • Status/registered/Treaty First Nations
  • Non-status/non-Treaty First Nations
  • Nations such as Dakota Peoples

First Nations cultural-linguistic groups in Manitoba:

  • Ininiwak / nehethowak (Cree)
  • Anishinaabe (Ojibway / Saulteaux)
  • Dakota
  • Denesuliné (Dene)
  • Anisininewak (Ojibway-Cree)

Red River Métis

People with ancestral connection to the historic Red River settlements, the Red River Métis Nation. (The Red River Métis - La Nouvelle Nation | Manitoba Métis Federation)

Inuit

People of Inuit Nunangat, including:

  • Nunavut
  • Inuvialuit Settlement Region
  • Nunavik
  • Nunatsiavut

Other

Indigenous peoples from outside Manitoba or not included above.

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Questions & Answers for Administrators

  1. How often do families have to declare?

    Families need to declare once, using the new, updated IID form. Once the new form has been complete, there is no need to redeclare on an annual basis, unless families request to provide additional information or updates.

  2. When should we send IID information to parents or caregivers?

    Schools should use the IID form as part of their annual registration packages, for the upcoming school year.

    Schools should also include the IID form with new Kindergarten registrations.

  3. Should we send the IID information only to parents or caregivers who we believe are Indigenous?

    No. IID information must be sent to all parents, caregivers, and guardians. Ancestral or cultural identity cannot be assumed.

  4. A parent returned a blank form. Can I complete the information for them?

    No. Only parents, caregivers, or guardians can voluntarily declare this information.

    If a form is returned blank, leave the IID field blank in the Education Information System (EIS).

  5. Can schools download the IID form and related materials from the website?

    Yes. The form and supporting documents are available for download.

  6. Can schools share IID data with parent groups or outside organizations?

    Information collected through the IID is protected under Manitoba’s privacy legislation.
    If you receive a request to share data, contact your school division’s Access and Privacy Coordinator for guidance.

Contact Us

Indigenous Excellence
1577 Dublin Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3E 3J5
Telephone: 204-583-1424
Email: ie@gov.mb.ca

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