Brock’s Senate is now accepting nominations for a newly established advisory committee on indigenous education initiatives.

Known as the Two Row Council, the group will work on implementing the recommendations within the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee Report endorsed by Senate in May 2016.

The report was created to provide Brock direction to address the 2015 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, and aims to make indigenous education a priority at the University.

The Two Row Council will work to implement the report’s recommendations, which include delivering programming that understands the needs of indigenous people, integrating indigenous world views across faculties, dedicating more funding toward bursaries, scholarships and fellowships for indigenous students, and committing to indigenous representation on Senate.

The group may consider:

• Developing new academic units or restructuring existing units
• Developing or modifying degree programs or certificates, service and support for indigenous students, faculty and staff
• Monitoring the progress and effectiveness of implementation strategies
• Working to inform the Brock community about issues related to indigenous education.

The initial term of the Two Row Council is proposed to begin this spring and conclude after Spring Convocation 2018. Terms after that will run for one academic year.

The council’s name, reflective of the history of the Wampum Belt, was chosen to represent multiple voices coming together in peace, mutual respect and friendship to advance indigenous education initiatives at Brock.

Indigenous faculty, staff and students are encouraged to apply.

Nominations should include a statement identifying interest in the position and relevant expertise or knowledge, as well as confirmation that the nominee self-identifies as indigenous.

To submit a nomination, e-mail universitysecretary@brocku.ca.

Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 15 at 5 p.m.

Based on the terms of reference approved by Senate, the council’s membership should include, at minimum:

• Elder in Residence
• Indigenous graduate (one) and undergraduate (one) student
• Indigenous faculty (three)
• Indigenous staff (one)
• The Tecumseh Centre (director)
• Aboriginal Student Services (one)
• A community representative to be identified by the AEC
• Associate Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning and Student Success
• Chair or vice-chair of Senate
• Chair or vice-chair of the Senate Governance Committee
• Chancellor (ex-officio)
• BUFA observer (non-voting)

The group will meet regularly and report to Senate on its work.

Senate will review the mandate, composition and operation of the council after one year.

More information is available in the Governance Committee’s report to Senate.