Frequently Asked Questions

How can I contact the Indigenous Graduate Students' Association?

You can contact us via email at igsa@ualberta.ca or by visiting us at our office in 3-05 & 3-06 HM Tory Building.

We are taking a break from office hours until January 8, 2024.

Here is when you can visit our physical space throughout Winter 2024:

Mondays: 10 AM - 12 PM
Tuesdays: 12 PM - 2 PM
Wednesdays: 10 AM - 12 PM
Thursdays: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Fridays: 12 PM - 2 PM

We encourage Indigenous graduate students (and Indigenous undergraduate students) to pop in! Meet the IGSA Executives, study/write, or have some tea! This space is for all of us to build community and support each other.

Please note that the IGSA office is closed on general holidays.

How do I become a member of the IGSA?

You can join the IGSA by requesting membership on our Bearsden page.

Members have voting privileges at our AGM and will be included on the IGSA mailing list (infrequent updates sent out via Bearsden).

Where on campus can I smudge?

You can smudge in the IGSA Commons (Tory 3-36)! Stop by during office hours or book a specific time via email (please note that we may not be able to accommodate all requests). Another option is First Peoples House (SUB 2-400).

This document overviews University of Alberta's smudging guidelines. Here you will find suggestions on which rooms on campus can be booked for ceremony and smudging. In order to book a room for ceremony, you can fill out a space evaluation form here.

When does the IGSA host elections for core council?

The IGSA has two election periods during the year. One in the spring and one in the fall. Information about elections are sent out via the First People's House listserv.

The next election will be in May 2024.

I want to nominate myself for a position on the IGSA, but I can't attend meetings in person. Is that a problem?

Nope! The IGSA almost exclusively hosts meetings online. The only positions that require in-person work are those that choose to host weekly office hours. Almost all of the duties can be done remotely.

The only requirements to qualify for nomination are as follows:

Individuals must be full time or part time graduate students at the University of Alberta during the academic year in which they are in office,
Individuals must be Indigenous (as defined by subsection 1.01.01(1) of the Constitution of the IGSA),
All elected individuals must attend a minimum of 2/3 of scheduled IGSA meetings.

Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about the duties of IGSA positions.