Background
۲ݮƵ University continues to advance in its efforts towards the implementation of the 52 Calls to Action, resulting from the 2017 Provost’s Task Force Report on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education. These Calls are essential to strengthening ۲ݮƵ’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.
As ۲ݮƵ continues to enact its commitment to Reconciliation, it recognizes the importance of learning and respecting the principles and values of Indigenous governance, in a meaningful and effective way.
As such, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives is happy to announce it has begun crucial work towards the establishment of the ۲ݮƵ University Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC). The ۲ݮƵ IAC will provide advice on matters pertaining to Indigenous educational initiatives and guidance on the University’s relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
This initiative stems from Task Force’s Call to Action #51, which calls upon ۲ݮƵ to, “create a formal Indigenous Advisory Board or Indigenous Education Council with a defined mandate, whose composition includes community leaders and stakeholders at ۲ݮƵ.”
Note that this initiative is also linked to Call #22, which calls on ۲ݮƵ to “establish mechanisms that provide Indigenous community representation in central organs of University governance, in particular, the Board of Governors and University Senate, and at central University ceremonies, including convocations”.
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) is happy to lead this important initiative. To support this work, the OII has partnered with the Indigenous advisory firm First Peoples Group, as well as a Kanién’kehaka advisor on Indigenous governance, Dr. Taiaiake Alfred, of Kahnawà:ke. These advisors, in collaboration with the OII, will play an integral role in ensuring that the approach taken to establish the IAC is inclusive and respectful of the Indigenous communities and Nations on whose traditional territories ۲ݮƵ University resides, and is grounded in Indigenous governance principles.
۲ݮƵ University recognizes the importance of having Indigenous community leadership, as well as Indigenous community internal to ۲ݮƵ (faculty, staff and students), participate in this process. It is necessary that we listen to, and are informed by, the perspectives of Indigenous community members as we take this significant step, in the spirit of working together and honoring Indigenous governance and leadership in this initiative. The OII is currently holding engagement sessions with Indigenous community leaders to inform the development of the IAC’s Terms of Reference.
Throughout the process of establishing the IAC, the OII is taking care to respect the relationships ۲ݮƵ has with different Indigenous communities and organizations via longstanding academic initiatives at the University and strengthen our partnerships with these groups.
If you are interested in participating in this process, or should you have any questions, please contact us at indigenousinitiatives [at] mcgill.ca.
۲ݮƵ University is proud to continue on its journey of Reconciliation through the implementation of the TRC’s Calls to Action, recognizing and honoring Indigenous community members and partners – past, present and future. We look forward to having you join us.
Terms of Reference for the ۲ݮƵ IAC Steering Committee
The Indigenous Advisory Council Steering Committee was formed in October, 2023 to develop the Terms of Reference for ۲ݮƵ University’s inaugural Indigenous Advisory Council. In doing so, the Steering Committee will ensure that the IAC’s Terms of Reference are aligned with the University’s commitments to Truth and Reconciliation and Calls to Action.
The Steering Committee is comprised of a team of Indigenous faculty members, staff and community advisors committed to embodying and employing, in their work and relations with each other and with the wider ۲ݮƵ community, the values of the core cultural teachings of Kah’nikonhri:io (The Good Mind) and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
The IAC Steering Committee created a Terms of Reference to guide their work in providing strategic advice to the University on the design, development, and implementation of the IAC.
You can find the Terms of Reference for the ۲ݮƵ IAC Steering Committee here: IAC Terms of Reference
۲ݮƵ IAC Steering Committee Meeting Summaries
September 13, 2023
View the meeting summary here: Sept_13_2023_۲ݮƵ_IAC_Steering_Committee_Meeting
October 4, 2023
View the meeting summary here: Oct_4_2023_۲ݮƵ_IAC_Steering_Committee_Meeting
November 15, 2023
View the meeting summary here: Nov_15_2023_۲ݮƵ_IAC_Steering_Committee_Meeting
December 6, 2023
View the meeting summary here: Dec_6_2023_۲ݮƵ_IAC_Steering_Committee_Meeting
January 10, 2024
View the meeting summary here: Jan_10_2024_۲ݮƵ_IAC_Steering_Committee_Meeting
January 31, 2024
View the meeting summary here: Jan_31_2024_۲ݮƵ_IAC_Steering_Committee_Meeting
March 13, 2024
View the meeting summary here: Mar_13_2024_۲ݮƵ_IAC_Steering_Committee_Meeting
April 3, 2024
View the meeting summary here. Apr_3_2024_۲ݮƵ_IAC_Steering_Committee_Meeting
November 6, 2024
View the meeting summary here: Nov_6_2024_۲ݮƵ_IAC_Steering_Committee_Meeting
Steering Committee Membership
The Steering Committee consists of an entirely Indigenous membership and includes representation from both academia and Indigenous communities. The Steering Committee is chaired by the Associate Provost of Indigenous Initiatives and includes the Senior Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives, two Indigenous students, representatives from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, and a retired Indigenous faculty member and/or ۲ݮƵ alumni. It has extended invitations for Indigenous representation from across ۲ݮƵ’s Faculties/Schools. Additionally, the Steering Committee involves several Indigenous community advisors with at least one being Kanién’kehaka Kahnawa’kehró:non (Kahnawà:ke Mohawk) and one being Anishinabeg.
External Resources Reviewed
The following external reports are being reviewed and consulted by the IAC Steering Committee: