Indigenous education and reconciliation at the university
The university is committed to responding to recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in an effective and appropriate manner. After consultation with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle, among others, the university has established the President’s Indigenous Reconciliation Taskforce and broadened the terms of reference for the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle.
, Associate Professor, , and Art Beaver, Anishinaabe from Alderville First Nation, will co-chair both of these groups and work with the committee members and the community members to honour this commitment.
Beaver has more than 30 years of experience in education, ranging from his work as Director of Native Student Services at the University of Alberta, to Education Researcher for Omegawahj Tribal Council and Education Manager at the Mississaugas of Scugog Island and Georgina Island First Nations. He has volunteered on several post-secondary Aboriginal Education Councils. He brings his engagement and experience with Indigenous teaching practices and ways of knowing, and his extensive knowledge of post-secondary educational institutions, to the task of guiding and supporting our university through this process.
Dr. Ariss’ research and teaching focuses on Canadian law as applied to Indigenous peoples, Indigenous law and reconciliation. She is dedicated to raising awareness of Indigenous histories and perspectives, honouring Indigenous ways of knowing and building respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through her teaching, research and service. She is honoured to work with these two committees at the university.
Other members of the committees include:
Indigenous Education Advisory Circle
- Bawaajigewin Community Circle Community Member
- Durham District School Board Member
- Elder Indigenous Community Member
- Métis Nation of Ontario Community Member
- Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Education Advisor/Manager/Director
- The university’s Indigenous Cultural Advisor (ex-officio, non-voting)
- The university’s Provost and Vice-President Academic (ex-officio, non-voting)
- The university’s Traditional Knowledge Keeper (ex-officio, non-voting)
- Two Indigenous University of Ontario Institute of Technology students (also members of the President’s Indigenous Reconciliation Taskforce)
President’s Indigenous Reconciliation Taskforce
- Assistant Vice-President, Human Resources or delegate
- Assistant Vice-President, Student Life or delegate
- Associate Dean, Quality Enhancement or delegate
- Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning or delegate
- Associate Registrar, Enrolment Management or delegate
- Chair, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce
- Education Advisor/Manager/Director, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation
- First Nation Elder
- Indigenous Cultural Advisor
- Indigenous Programming Specialist
- Two Indigenous University of Ontario Institute of Technology students (also members of the President’s Indigenous Education Advisory Circle)
