Date:
Monday, May 26, 2003 - 12:00am
Location:
Agenda:
Aboriginal Management Council
General Meeting - May 26, 2003
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
LUSU Board Room
A G E N D A
1. Welcome and Opening Prayer
2. Introductions
3. Opening Remarks from the Chair
4. Approval of the Agenda
MOTION THAT the Agenda of May 26, 2003 be approved, as presented.
Approval of Minutes - March 17, 2003
MOTION THAT the Minutes of March 17 be approved, as presented.
5. Old Business:
a) Council Standing Committee of Advisors - Update
b) Native Access Program Reviews - Update
i) Native Access Program
ii) NAPE - Correspondence from Assembly of First Nations
iii) Letter NAPE Advisory Committee
6. New Business:
a) AETS
b) Negahneewin College - set proposed date for joint meeting
c) NNEC update
7. Internal Updates:
a) Quarterly Reports Review
8. Other Business
9. Set the Next Meeting
10.Closing Prayer
Adjourn
Minutes:
Aboriginal Management Council
Minutes of the Meeting Held on May 26, 2003
2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
LUSU Board Room - UC 2020
Members:
C. Fox, Chair
F. Gilbert, President
T. Bobyk, Ontario Metis Aboriginal Association
J. Campbell, Native Student's Association
J. Dojack, Board of Governors
I. Goodman, Native Students Association
T. Pile, Metis Nation of Ontario
L. Scanlon, Northern Nishnawbe Education Council
B. Vermette, Ontario Native Women's Association
B. Walmark, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Advisors:
K. Barrett, Vice-Provost (Student Affairs)
R. Farrell, Indigenous Learning
K. Fedderson, Fac. Social Sciences and Humanities
M. L. Hill, Vice President, (Academic) & Provost
N. Lawson, Aboriginal Initiatives
J. O'Brien, Native Nurses Entry Program
H. Saliba, Fac. of Engineering
W. White, Native Language Instructors Program
Regrets:
J. O'Sullivan, Education
T. Stephens, Aboriginal Cultural and Support Services
Absent:
S. Bebonang, Native Teacher Education Program
H. Moynihan, Native Access Program for Engineering
N. Sakamoto, Matawa First Nations Management
P. Smith, Fac. of Forestry and the Forest Environment
R. Wesley, Native Student Association
1. Opening Prayer: An opening prayer was led by T. Bobyk. A quorum
was present.
2. Chair's Opening Remarks:
The Chair opened the meeting with an overview of the last meeting, and
apologized for the delayed distribution of the meeting package which was
due to technical circumstances beyond the Secretariat's control.
3. Approval of Agenda:
The members reviewed the Agenda and requested the following items be
added to the Agenda:
i) Strategic Planning Monitoring
ii) NOMS Aboriginal Workshop
THATthe Agenda of May 26, 2003 be approved, with additions.
Moved by T. Pile and seconded by T. Bobyk. Carried.
Approval of Minutes:
Council reviewed the Minutes of March 17, 2003 and decided:
THAT the Minutes of March 17, 2003 be approved, as presented.
Moved by J. Dojack, seconded by L. Scanlon. Carried.
The Council reviewed the Minutes and after some discussion, requested
that revisions be made to the Chair's Opening Remarks. These revisions
will be revisited at the next meeting.
MOTION THAT the notes of April 29, 2003 be approved in principle,
pending approval of the requested revisions.
Moved by J. Campbell, and seconded by L. Scanlon. Carried.
4. Old Business:
Standing Committee of Advisors:
a) Native Access Program (NAP)Review
The Dean (SSH) reported that the review has undergone several
delays, but that the Task Force anticipates finalizing the report within
two to three weeks.
The Council Chair reported that she met with the Task Force to provide
additional Aboriginal input into the review. A draft copy of the report will
be provided to the Chair who will then add further input.
The Council suggested that the Task Force liaise with the College to
identify ways in which both institutions might work together. The Dean
(SSH) requested that the Council initiate further dialogue with the
college on behalf of Lakehead to facilitate relationship building, plan a
joint meeting and to explore curriculum initiatives such as access
programs.
b) Native Access Program for Engineering (NAPE)
A meeting was held between the President and the Dean of
Engineering earlier this month to discuss the suspension of the
program and to explore ways in which the program might continue in
the future. The Dean thanked the President for his continued support,
and commitment to help find ways to fund NAPE.
A discussion about corporate solicitation ensued. The President
provided a historical review about corporate support, stating that
contributions and support have declined for a variety of reasons,
primarily due to shrinking resources across the fundraising sector and
low enrolment rates in the program.
The President reiterated that while corporate solicitation is a challenge,
the University remains committed to supporting Aboriginal programs,
and that the Office of Development plays a supportive, not exclusive,
role in fundraising activities for NAPE.
c) Board of Governors
The Chair reported that the suspension of the NAPE program was
discussed at the last Board of Governors meeting. After hearing the
Chair's report, board members reiterated their support for Aboriginal
programs and will look into this matter.
5. New Business:
a) Aboriginal Education Training Strategies (AETS)
Correspondence from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and
Universities that outlined Lakehead's Fixed Share Allocation and their
response to the Council's request for an increase to Aboriginal funding
and other items was circulated to the members.
b) Negahneewin College
The College Council has asked for a joint meeting with Lakehead's
Council that will invite and host Negahneewin College to one of its
regular meetings, possibly the third the third week of July.
c) Northern Nishnawbe Education Council (NNEC) Update
There was a meeting between NNEC, Aboriginal Initiatives, Distance
Education, and NTEP concerning NNEC's Request for Proposal for the
Native Teacher Education program.
There are approximately 120 Northern students who hold an Ontario
Teacher Certification and wish to attain the Bachelor of Arts degree
and teachable subjects.
NNEC in Sioux Lookout currently has an agreement with the Ottawa
Faculty of Education but is interesting in working with Lakehead to help
these students attain additional credentials via a two-year-community-
based teacher program. Additional information will be provided as this
initiative progresses.
d) Strategic Planning Monitoring Group
The University has requested the Council to participate in the next
Strategic Planning Exercise and to appoint a representative on the
Strategic Planning Monitoring group. The Council Chair volunteered to
represent the Council to provide input to the Strategic Plan. The
Council will hold a retreat to initiate an Aboriginal strategic planning
session in July.
e) Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSOM) Aboriginal
Workshop
A Northern Ontario Medical School Aboriginal Workshop on Medical
School Curriculum will be held in Kenora from June 10 to June 12. The
purpose of the gathering is to seek input from the Aboriginal community
on Aboriginal health needs, issues, and curriculum requirements. The
Coordinator, Aboriginal Initiatives was appointed to represent the
University at this gathering.
f)Update from Lakehead University Native Student Association
(LUNSA)
LUNSA representatives asked if Council could help find space to
expand Aboriginal student's meeting areas. The Vice Provost
(Academic) explained LUSU has requested additional space; however,
space is very limited. The first stage for LUNSA is to work with LUSU
to rationalize the need for increased space. Then, LUSU should work
with the Space Committee to address LUNSA's needs.
LUNSA was informed that there is a certain deadline to apply for LUSU
club space. LUSU would strongly consider a request from LUNSA,
which could impact club. LUNSA stated impacts such as evicting other
clubs was contrary to their values and principles, but will pursue finding
ways toachieve this goal under LUSU's umbrella.
LUNSA requested clarification about the governing authority of the
Council within the University. The Chair referred to the Terms of
Reference (1998), and further explained Council does definitely need to
examine its role within the institute. One area that was identified as
requiring improvement was communication between the University and
Council to become more consistent. A draft communication framework
was distributed to the members.
The President explained that much of Council's role is advisory, but the
policy role is in conjunction with the Senate and the Board of
Governors. One area where the Council has potential authority that has
not been fully utilized is with respect to academic programming.
Reference was made to Section 2.2 of the Terms of Reference as
being a very empowering section. Discussions related to cultural
programming across the curriculum as it relates to Aboriginal interest
have never taken place. Those are the sorts of things that could
increase the Council's influence within the University.
LUNSA continued with questions about the Council's role. A
discussion ensued with previous examples and various scenarios.
LUNSA is compiling a history of Aboriginal activity at the University to
understand more about Council. This student initiative will take place
over the summer.
The meeting continued with a discussion focused on Aboriginal content
in programming. A question often asked is how faculty can ensure their
classes are culturally appropriate and incorporate more Aboriginal
content into their courses. Guidance from the Council would be most
useful in this regard, and could help to transform Aboriginal content and
values across the institution.
The Vice President (Academic) and Provost provided an overview of
system - wide curriculum development and accreditation processes.
Academic reviews at Lakehead are for the purpose of improving and
enhancing programs. When complete, a summary is forwarded to the
Senate Academic Committee. While there is no formal guideline for
the Council to play a role in this regard as most programs do not have a
significant Aboriginal component, there is a need to fill this gap. It
would be appropriate for the Council to be involved in the process by
sharing self-appraisal and meeting interviewers.
The Chair responded that there should be a formal mechanism in place
stating the role because of Lakehead's partnerships with Aboriginal
groups and its specialization as an institution committed to Aboriginal
education. Council iterated their willingness to be utilized as a
resource for Aboriginal curriculum and research developments, and
that faculty and administration are welcome to seek out advice and
support prior to submitting plans to Senate. Senior administration
could educate deans and other faculty members about how to liaise
with the Council and ensure placement on Agendas for discussion.
The President commented that one significant contribution made to
academic area is research. There are areas where the Council has
authority. It can address and make recommendations that relate to
activities within the academic environment where they might infringe
upon Aboriginal issues.
LUNSA commented that it would be useful to put some of the points
discussed on the Agenda so as to constructively maximize members'
participation when at meetings.
A request was made from the Vice President (Academic) and Provost
to bring forward a graduate program policy for reading by the Council
and make suggestion on how the Council may remain involved at a
graduate level.
A meeting was not scheduled for June. The Retreat will be planned for
July 21, 2003 at Hazelwood Park.
ADJOURNED: 4:30 p.m.
