I would like to thank everyone who attended the launch of Brock’s Indigenous Strategic Plan last month. If you haven’t seen the plan yet, it’s available online here and sets out the many important actions we will be taking in the coming months and years.

Now that the plan is here, I have asked the Interim Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, Sheila Cote-Meek, to share some of her thoughts on her time in the role, the development of the Indigenous Strategic Plan, and what comes next for Brock.

To speak to it, here is Sheila.

When I stepped into the role of Interim Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement in February 2026, I did so with a deep sense of both privilege and responsibility. Brock had already made meaningful progress in Indigenous education and engagement, and I was grateful for the chance to build on that foundation by nurturing relationships and helping the University continue to grow in this important work.

Over the course of my career in higher education, I have been part of universities that have made important commitments to Indigenous Peoples, and I have seen how difficult it can be to turn those commitments into real change in institutional cultures, practices and decision-making. What gives me genuine hope is the openness I have found among people across Brock—their willingness to engage in this work and their understanding that meaningful change takes sustained effort.

As I reflect on the past several months, I have relied on the principles that have always guided my leadership: listening, building relationships and creating space for meaningful dialogue. Advancing Indigenous engagement is not simply about introducing new initiatives or programs. It requires us to examine how we work together, how decisions are made, whose voices are heard and how we honour our commitments to Indigenous peoples and communities.

A Significant Milestone: Brock’s First Indigenous Strategic Plan

Without question, one of the most significant achievements of this past year has been the development and launch of Brock’s first Indigenous Strategic Plan on October 1, 2026.

The Plan was developed through a process of engagement with Indigenous students, faculty, staff, community members and organizations, as well as members of the broader Brock community and senior leadership. These conversations helped us understand what is working well, where gaps remain and what needs to change.

The launch itself was a wonderful celebration, bringing together Indigenous singers, dancers, community members, students, faculty and staff. It was a reminder that Indigenous cultures, knowledges and relationships must remain central to the work we undertake.

But perhaps the most important message I want to emphasize is that the launch of the Plan was not only the culmination of our work but the beginning of a much longer journey.

The Indigenous Strategic Plan provides Brock with a shared direction and a framework for accountability. Its success will depend on what happens next, particularly the willingness of faculties, academic departments and administrative units to translate its commitments into meaningful action.

Building Relationships and Strengthening Our Foundations

Another important focus of my time in this role has been strengthening relationships, both within the University and with Indigenous communities and organizations.

Brock is situated within a region with rich Indigenous histories, cultures and contemporary communities. Our relationships with Indigenous Nations and organizations must be built on mutual respect, reciprocity and sustained engagement. These relationships cannot be understood simply in terms of consultation or individual projects. They require ongoing attention, trust and a willingness to listen.

Internally, we have also been working to strengthen coordination between the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Metis and Inuit Student Centre and Indigenous Educational Studies while clarifying roles and responsibilities and identifying opportunities for greater collaboration.

We have continued to support Indigenous students, faculty and staff, advance Indigenous learning opportunities across the University and encourage conversations about what meaningful Indigenous engagement looks like in teaching, research, student services and institutional decision-making.

This work is not always highly visible, but building strong organizational foundations is essential to achieving lasting change.

Looking Ahead: Moving from Commitments to Implementation

As we move into the next phase of this work, several priorities will help establish the foundations for implementing the Indigenous Strategic Plan.

An important next step is establishing the Indigenous Education Council, which will provide a forum for dialogue, guidance and engagement on Indigenous education and related institutional priorities.

We are also beginning to develop an implementation and reporting framework for the Plan, including mechanisms to support coordination across the University and track our progress over time.

Other work underway includes advancing Indigenous Degree Level Expectations, supporting the revitalization of the Tecumseh Centre as an Indigenous research institute, and initiating discussions about Indigenous identity verification approaches that reflect the responsibilities universities have to Indigenous Peoples and communities.

These initiatives will require thoughtful engagement and collaboration. They are not matters that can be resolved quickly, nor should they be approached as exercises in simply developing another policy or framework.

As I prepare to complete my interim appointment at the end of December, I am particularly conscious of the importance of ensuring continuity. The work must extend beyond any one individual or office. My focus over the coming months will be on putting in place structures, processes and priorities that will support the incoming Vice-Provost and the University in moving this work forward.

A Shared Responsibility

If there is one message I hope colleagues will take from this reflection, it is that Indigenous engagement is a responsibility we all share.

The Indigenous Strategic Plan provides an important starting point, but its commitments must become part of how we teach, conduct research, support students, build partnerships and make decisions.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Indigenous Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, our Indigenous community partners, students, faculty and staff, and the many colleagues across Brock who have contributed their time, perspectives and support over the past several months.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to this important work. As Brock moves forward, I hope we continue to approach Indigenous engagement with humility, openness and a genuine commitment to building and sustaining respectful relationships.

The measure of our success will not be the Plan itself, but the meaningful changes it helps us create.

I would like to thank the members of the Indigenous Strategic Plan Advisory Committee and all of those who took part in extensive consultations they undertook as a part of developing the plan. I am eager to see, and be a part of, the plan in action in Brock.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to Shiela Cote-Meek for providing a guest update this week.