Aboriginal Management Council

Minutes - January 28, 2008

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ATAC 3004

1. Welcome & Opening Prayer

T. Pile welcomed everyone. P. Smith led the Opening Prayer.

2. a)Welcome/ Introductions

Alex Boulet was introduced to the Council members as the new Board of Governors representative on AMC.

b) Conflict of Interest - There were no Conflicts of Interest declared.

3. Approval of Agenda

MOVED: (G. Martin/A. Boulet) that the Agenda be accepted with the following amendments:

There will be no reports from the following:

Native Access Program

Centre of Excellence Aboriginal Teaching & Curriculum

LUNSA

Senate Committee

Senate Academic Committee

CARRIED

4. Approval of Minutes

MOVED: (B. Johnson/A. Boulet) that the Minutes from the November 26, 2007 Aboriginal Management Council Meeting be accepted with amendments.

CARRIED

5. Business Arising from Previous Meeting

a) Revised Secretariat/Secretary Policy - B. Sabourin explained that the Secretary/Secretariat Policy has been updated to reflect the actual activities and responsibilities as they are performed now.

MOVED: (P. Smith/G. Martin) that the Secretary/Secretariat Policy revised October 2007 be accepted.

CARRIED

6. Presenters:

Brendon Johnson, LUNSA President, presented an overview of LUNSA. He explained that LUNSA represents Aboriginal students views on a variety of subjects when requested. He noted that decisions made by AMC can affect some or all of the LUNSA members.

Highlights included:

LUNSA is a student union derived campus club on the Thunder Bay campus

LUNSA recognizes all Aboriginal and native cultures

LUNSA provides strong community support for Aboriginal students by promoting a spirit of unity at Lakehead University

It was noted that LUNSA may consider contacting NOSM to establish a collaborative working arrangement between Lakehead, Laurentian, and NOSM. LUNSA representatives participate in the Canadian Aboriginal Caucus each year. B. Johnson complimented Lakehead University on having achieved so much more in Aboriginal Initiatives than other universities.

a. Masters of Education Field of Study in Indigenous Education - Dr. T. Socha

T. Socha gave an overview of the work being done to prepare a new 2 years Master's Program in Aboriginal Education. This program will provide students with the choice to do a thesis or to prepare a portfolio. Consideration is being given to include courses such as Indigenous Language Revitalization, Indigenous Ways - Power and Peace, Identity and Place, and Indigenous Women's Voices.

MOVED: (P. Smith/B. Johnson) that the AMC supports in principle the Master's of Aboriginal Education from the Faculty of Education.

CARRIED

b. The March Meeting date was changed to March 31, 2008.

c. Indigenous Learning Centre

P. Smith reviewed the request received by the Advisors Council to provide information on the Aboriginal Learning Centre. The Advisors prepared a one page report on some of their dreaming. The information was discussed briefly at the Board of Governors Retreat in January. The Board of Governors suggested that Paul Martin be approached as the Champion for this project. Another consideration was the previous Lt. Governor James Bartleman. The Transition Team will work on this initiative to begin the planning process by discussing this with Judy Flett and University Advancement.

The Transition Committee will make plans to visit other buildings that are Aboriginal designs prior to settling on a design.

d. Review membership list to determine replacements

The Council discussed the attendance of members of AMC and the need to ensure quorum for AMC meetings.

MOVED (P. Smith/A. Boulet) that letter be written to Bonnie Vermette informing her that her position as a new Member At Large has been reassigned.

CARRIED

MOVED (P. Capon/B. Johnson) that Gerry Martin be appointed as Member At Large.

CARRIED

The Anishinabek Employment and Training Services and the Indian Friendship Centre will be contacted to see if these organizations are interested in serving on AMC. A letter will be sent to Arnold Gardner, Grand Chief Treaty Council 3, seeking an individual to serve on AMC.

8. Reports:

a) Aboriginal Education - Dr. E. Gardner

E. Gardner distributed a handout with the highlights of Aboriginal Education.

b) ACSS - L. Wabange

L. Wabange reported the upcoming events planned by ACSS and that a list would be distributed to all AMC members. B. Sabourin noted that the province has indicated that ACSS funding will continue next year.

c) Vice-Provost (Aboriginal Initiatives) - B. Sabourin

The summary of the surveys sent to the Deans will be prepared for the next meeting. Roll up panels are being prepared. The promotional video waiver forms are being sought. Deanne Burgart volunteered as an Engineering Student. Education panels will be updated by Aboriginal Initiatives. B. Sabourin presented information on meeting the Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives to the Board of Governors. A detailed report was provided to the AMC members.

d) Board of Governors & Ad Hoc Committee - T. Pile

T. Pile noted that AMC and Aboriginal Initiatives was presented at the Board of Governors Retreat on January 19^th.

e) Advisors Committee Recommendations - Dr. P. Smith

MOVED (P. Smith/G. Martin) that the Draft Terms of Reference as revised December 18, 2007 be approved by AMC and attached to these minutes.

CARRIED

9. Other Business:

a.) AETS Strategy Report - AETS form has not yet been received.

b.) Items for Information: Aboriginal Roundtable Communiqu

c.) Correspondence: Letter to Brenda Small, Negahneewin College

T. Pile reported that discussions with Negahneewin College will be resuming. A meeting is scheduled for January 31, 2008.

10. Adjournment:

MOVED (G. Martin/P. Capon) that the meeting be adjourned.

CARRIED

Tim Pile, Chair Karen Roche, Secretary

Upon reasonable notice, the committee will meet once in each of the fall and winter terms, and as necessary thereafter.

Unless otherwise stated in the approved terms of reference, quorum for Senate and all Senate committees is a simple majority of all filled positions.

1. Vice-Provost (Aboriginal Initiatives)

2. One representative from the AMC Advisor's Council

3. Two members from the Senate Academic Committee, which may include a student representative

4. Two members from the Aboriginal Management Council, which may include a student representative

1 & 2 ex officio

3 & 4 one-year terms (renewable)

1. Chair - to be elected by the Committee

2. Secretary - Administrative Assistant to the Vice-President (Academic) and Provost

3. Administrative Office - Office of the Vice-President (Academic) and Provost

1. To include Aboriginal perspectives in relevant academic decision-making.

2. To identify common elements in the AMC Strategic Plan and the Academic Plan.

3. To develop a plan to facilitate implementation of the common elements in the AMC Strategic Plan and the Academic Plan.

4. To ensure that relevant items from AMC are considered within further strategic and academic planning.

Aboriginal Management Council

Minutes - February 25, 2008

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ATAC 3004

Regrets: T. Pile

1. Welcome & Opening Prayer -Elder Isabelle Mercier

Elder Isabelle Mercier led the opening prayer.

2. Welcome/ Introductions - P. Capon Chaired the meeting

3. Approval of Agenda

MOVED (G. Martin/P. Smith) that the minutes be accepted with the following additions:

8.6 LU Sustainability Team - Alex Boulet

10. a) Anishinabek Employment & Training Services - Nancy Bouchard as a new member of AMC

CARRIED

4. Conflict of Interest

No conflicts of interest were declared.

5. Approval of Minutes

MOVED (A. Boulet/G. Martin) that the minutes be accepted with changes.

It was noted that the attendance for the January 25, 2008 meeting had been omitted from the distributed copy.

CARRIED

6. Business Arising from Previous Meeting

There was no business arising.

7. Presenters: Dobi Dawn Frenette, Nishnawbe Aski Nation

Dobi Dawn Frenette, representing the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), distributed a folder containing an overview of NAN. The mandate of NAN states "Nishnawbe Aski Nation represents the legitimate socioeconomic and political aspirations of its First Nation members to all levels of government in order to allow local self-determination while establishing spiritual, cultural, social, and economic independence." Three of the objectives of NAN are directly related to NAN's involvement on AMC:

D. D. Frenette summarized some of community work that NAN is involved with in communities. She noted that internet education has become a focus in many communities that do not have road access. Most communities are in need of additional funding for education in the Council schools.

Some of the issues that NAN is working on are: professional development for teachers and special education training.

8. New Business:

8.1 Report on Indigenous Learning Centre meeting, Feb 22 - B. Sabourin

B. Sabourin distributed a report on the questions that will be addressed in the consultation process as the idea of the Indigenous Learning Centre develops. As the concepts related to the building are further developed, plans for fundraising can be pursued. It was noted that at this time no funds will be available for fundraising work. AMC will need to rely on volunteers to assist with fund-raising and making contact with organizations.

8.2 Chair for Metis Studies - B. Sabourin

A group is being formed to prepare the application for the Chair for Metis Studies to be submitted to the Council of Ontario Universities (COU).

8.3 Recruitment: co-operation with NOSM Aboriginal Affairs Unit - P. Smith

P. Smith reported that Ian Pelletier is recruiting for NOSM and that the opportunity for partnerships with Lakehead University during recruitment trips will be pursued further.

8.4 Negahneewin College meeting - Letter to Brenda Small - B. Sabourin

Negahneewin College and Lakehead University will be working together to collaborate on areas of mutual concern. Negahneewin College and Lakehead University will continue to collaborate on assessment of applicants and referrals as well as exchange ideas and information on selection processes and testing. The Chair of the Negahneewin College Advisory Council will be invited to the March 2008 AMC meeting,

8.5 Ad Hoc Committee on Aboriginal Development to the Board of Governors - Terms of Reference amended - B. Sabourin

MOVED (P. Smith/G. Martin) that the Terms of Reference for the Ad Hoc Committee on Aboriginal Development to the Board of Governors be approved. CARRIED

9. Reports:

9.1 Aboriginal Education - Dr. E. Gardner - no report

9.2 Centre of Excellence of Aboriginal Teaching & Curriculum - Dr. E. Gardner - no report

9.3 Native Nurses Entry Program - C. Hartviksen

C. Hartviksen reported that NNEP has retained 8-10 students of the original 18 enrolled in the program in September. Commitment from the students seems to be an issue, possibly related to younger age of the students. Ways to address this will be examined.

9.4 ACSS - A. Dokuchie

A. Dokuchie reported on the activities planned. It was noted that a calendar should be developed on the website to allow quick reference to Aboriginal and University events to address scheduling multiple events for the same day.

9.5 Vice-Provost (Aboriginal Initiatives) - B. Sabourin

B. Sabourin submitted a report highlighting some of the recent activities of the Vice-Provost (Aboriginal Initiatives).

9.6 Native Access Program- G. Laliberte - no report

9.7 LUNSA - B. Johnson -no report

9.8 Board of Governors & Ad Hoc Committee - T. Pile - no report

9.9 Senate - C. Hartviksen

C. Hartviksen briefly summarized the Senate process noting that AMC can bring items to Senate through her as the representative on Senate.

9.10 Senate Academic Committee - C. Hartviksen

C. Hartviksen noted that the proposed Terms of Reference for the Committee was distributed with the meeting materials. The Joint SAC/AMC Committee has met twice. The Committee will be working to identify where the LU Academic Plan and the AMC Strategic Plan share common elements.

9.11 Advisors Committee Recommendations - Dr. P. Smith

There were no recommendations from the Advisors Committee.

10. Other Business:

10.1 AETS Strategy Report

B. Sabourin reported that the AETS guidelines have not been released. An Aboriginal Career Advisor will be hired for 6 months in collaboration with the Student Co-op Placement Office.

10.2 Anishinabek Employment & Training Services - Nancy Bouchard as a new member of AMC

MOVED(G. Martin/A. Boulet) that Anishinabek Employment & TrainingServices representative, Nancy Bouchard, be accepted as a new member on the Aboriginal Management Council. CARRIED

11. Adjournment:

MOVED (G. Martin/P. Smith) that the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED