X-ray absorption fine structure XAFS spectroscopy has been used to determine the valence system for the Fe atom in ilmenite, FeTiO3 . This is the first XAFS data in FeTiO3 to our knowledge. The α- Fe2O3 data served as the standard in determining the ionization of the Fe atom in FeTiO3 . Observation of intensity and k-space are consistent. There was no evidence of mixed valence on comparing the FeTiO3 near edge X-ray absorption spectrum with α- Fe2O3 data. The absorption spectra suggest that iron is in the trivalent state in ilmenite.