<p>My DS applied to 4 Ivies and MIT (we are from Canada) and I (DS’ mother) finally got my status/registration card 2 years ago, which is no easy accomplishment as the Federal government and not the First Nations decide who is eligible. There are a great deal of benefits that are provided to status Indians including free education, free drugs, etc. hence the Feds wanting to control who is in. I never visited my First Nation, nor my mother who is also a member, as it is in another province from ours. There is a long history of nastiness which included my grandmother living at a Residential School.</p>
<p>DS ticked the box self identifying. Dartmouth and Yale followed up with a 1 page form as well as giving the opportunity to explain DSs Indian/Aboriginal heritage including actual documentation which he did, including a copy of my status card, copy of DS long birth certificate (as we have different last names) proving I am his mother, and an explanation that DS applied for his status as well.</p>