HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR, February 25, 2026 – NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) President Todd Russell issued the following statement following Memorial University’s recent approval of a new Indigenous Verification Policy:
“NCC is profoundly disappointed in Memorial University’s decision to approve an Indigenous Verification Policy that will impact access to Indigenous-specific opportunities for students from NunatuKavut. The process around the development of this policy has been hurtful and has already caused harm, creating and deepening the division among Indigenous peoples in this Province. It has also contributed to fostering an unsafe and unwelcoming environment for our students at the University.
Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our students at Memorial. While NCC has expended a tremendous amount of resources on inclusion of our people in Memorial’s process, our efforts must now focus on our people’s needs.
President Morrison has acknowledged and made a commitment to work with NCC to address impacts and to further discussions that protect our people and ensure that our students have what they need at Memorial. This will be challenging but NCC will work hard to ensure our students are prioritized.
On behalf of NCC, I thank all of those who have been engaged with us on this work and look forward to continued partnership and support.”
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To learn more about NCC and NunatuKavut Inuit, please visit our website at www.nunatukavut.ca and we invite you to check out our new Story Map page which helps tell our story. Please also join in the conversation at facebook.com/nunatukavut, X/Twitter @nunatukavut and Instagram @nunatukavutinuit.
NCC Media Contact:
Kelly Broomfield
Chief Communications Officer
T. 709-280-5965