Brock University Aboriginal Education Council TERMS OF REFERENCE

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1 Preamble Brock University Aboriginal Education Council TERMS OF REFERENCE The Brock University Aboriginal Education Council (AEC) is committed to understanding and developing course work, programs, services and educational research that meet the cultural needs of members of the Aboriginal * Community and students at Brock University. The AEC will actively pursue the development of programs designed to increase the number of Aboriginal students and support academic success at Brock University. The AEC will function on the understanding and principle that the Aboriginal people can best define how to successfully fulfill the Terms of Reference contained in this document and will work diligently with Brock personnel to achieve this end. The AEC expects to structure a vision by consensus in full recognition of Aboriginal appropriate interpersonal relations and process. * In this document, Aboriginal will mean the same as and include status, non-status, First Nations, Native, Metis, Inuit and indigenous people. Mission The Brock University AEC is committed to addressing the spectrum of components comprising Aboriginal education and research through Brock University. Its mission is to ensure that the next Seven Generations of Aboriginal people will have greater success and opportunities for higher education to the fullest extent possible at Brock University, and that decisions will be made with regard for future generations. Relationship of the Aboriginal Community with Brock It is the intention of this partnership between Brock University and the Aboriginal Community to serve the needs of the Aboriginal community by identifying and articulating priorities for programs and services intended to enhance the successful recruitment, admission, retention, graduation and employability of Aboriginal students. The AEC shall serve as the primary consultative resource on all 1 Original Document Approved by AEC Consensus: March 17, 2000 Endorsed by Brock University Senate: May 24, 2000 Revised and Approved by AEC Consensus: October 1, 2004 September 16, 2005 August 14, 2008 August 12, 2010 August 23,2012 August 21,2014 September 25, 2015

2 AEC Terms of Reference - 2 subjects relating to the education and support needs of the University's Aboriginal populations with regard to Aboriginal-specific programs, general programs and services, and the Tecumseh Centre, which was established to encourage research and education to meet the needs of Aboriginal learners and communities and to develop a culturally responsive philosophy of education for the University as a whole. Special co-operative projects may include academic research conducted by both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal researchers, ethics committees, or other mutual information-sharing projects. With regards to Education Programs, but not excluding other relevant programs, AEC and Brock personnel will endeavor to provide unique, culturally appropriate and practical opportunities to potential and practicing Native teachers in the Aboriginal communities, both rural and urban. These projects may involve AEC members, Cultural Advisors or other Aboriginal Community members as deemed appropriate by the AEC. The AEC will also be notified by all AEC members with respect to job postings where responsibilities of the position involve working with members of the Aboriginal community. Race Relations The AEC either directly or through its committees, in partnership with Brock University, will monitor race relations as they pertain to the Aboriginal Community, in accordance with all relevant Federal and Provincial legislation. Responsibilities The AEC shall: 1. Promote the educational needs and interests of Aboriginal students and communities at all times and put forward policies for adoption by the AEC, the President, Board of Trustees and Senate. 2. Provide advice and support to individual students and to the Aboriginal Student Association(s), as necessary. 3. Through the AEC Co-Chairs, establish a liaison with the Board of Trustees and Senate. It is the intent of the AEC to promote Aboriginal representation on governing bodies at Brock University. Aboriginal persons appointed or elected to governing bodies may be invited to join the AEC. 4. Through the Aboriginal Student Advisor, review data and statistics on the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal students to better meet the needs of Aboriginal students. The AEC shall assist the University in gathering the appropriate data so as to identify Aboriginal priorities. 5. Receive and exchange information on new and existing programs and services provided by Brock University that have particular relevance for Aboriginal students. 6. Promote the University s programs and services in the Aboriginal community, to all oncampus and distant learning students and work on recruitment, application and admission criteria for the retention of Aboriginal students through appropriate university bodies.

3 AEC Terms of Reference Develop a plan of action to implement the AEC s mandate, and review/revise the plan, on an annual basis. 8. Where necessary, a) advise on ways in which courses of study may be offered in Aboriginal communities; b) advise on the recruitment of Aboriginal faculty and staff for the University and make known Brock s commitment to employment equity; c) provide advice and support to the designated representative(s) of AEC or its committees; d) obtain funding for new and existing Aboriginal programs, review annual budget allocations and bring forth long term financial plans; e) review annually, the implementation of AEC s Action Plan and other recommended actions by Brock University; f) maintain a liaison with Aboriginal communities and their educational organizations. 9. Be informed of financial planning with regards to all externally generated funds earmarked for Aboriginal education, research, programs and services throughout the University. 10. Review and revise the Terms of Reference in order to meet the AEC s mandate to better meet the needs of students. 11. Keep the AEC website and social media current and accessible to all students. Membership (Please see Appendix II for the list of current members and the organizations they represent.) Aboriginal organizations are invited to send members to the Brock AEC. As duties of various individuals and positions within the University change over time, the AEC members may choose to revise the designation of Brock's representatives. Visitors are always welcome to attend the Brock University AEC meetings. If a visitor or visiting agency would like to have time to speak or address an issue to the AEC they should send their request to the AEC Administrative Assistant no later than two weeks prior to the next scheduled meeting. The request should include the topic to be addressed and the length of time being requested. This request will be forwarded to the Co-Chairs of the AEC to determine the appropriateness of the topic and if there is enough time at the next AEC meeting to hear the request. Brock University Membership The Brock University membership, regarded as one organization, includes the following individuals: 1. the President (ex officio) 2. the Chair of the Senate (ex officio) 3. the Vice-President, Academic (ex officio) 4. a Faculty Dean (ex officio) or designate 5. the Dean of Graduate Studies (ex officio) or designate 6. the Vice-Provost and Associate Vice President, Student Services (ex officio) or designate 7. Aboriginal Student Services Representative (ex officio)

4 AEC Terms of Reference Director/Designate, Tecumseh Centre (ex officio) 8. Brock Representatives* (maximum of 5) * The Brock Representatives are open seats available for a two year, renewable term to any Brock personnel who have an interest in Aboriginal issues and involvement in the AEC. Aboriginal Community Membership The Aboriginal community membership comprises the following organizations. The AEC will recognize delegates from the Aboriginal organizations listed below (or from new members) when respective organizations have declared, in writing, their interest in membership. Each organization will be expected to participate regularly. The AEC recognizes that certain Aboriginal organizations may choose to nominate advisors only and those groups will be invited to declare their intentions on an annual basis. The Aboriginal organizations invited to send representation to the AEC are the following: 1. Assoc. of Iroquois & Allied Indians 2. Métis National Council 3. Grand Council Treaty #3 4. Métis Nation of Ontario - Niagara Region Métis Council 5. Nishnawbe-Aske Nation 6. Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres Ft Erie Friendship Centre Niagara Regional Native Centre 7. Ontario Native Women's Association Niagara Chapter of Native Women Thorold Chapter of Native Women 8. Union of Ontario Indians 9. Aboriginal Cultural Advisors within the Niagara Region 10. Grand River Post Secondary Education Office 11. Mohawk College - Aboriginal Student Services (advisory) 12. Niagara College - Aboriginal Educational Access (advisory) 13. Oonuhseh- Native Homes 14. Six Nations Polytechnic Institute 15. Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (SOADI) 16. Ganawageh Urban Homes 17. NPAAMB 18. District School Board of Niagara 19. Niagara Catholic District School Board 20. Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board 21. Grand Erie District School Board 22. Gai Hon Nya Ni Amos Key Jr. E-Learning Institute 23. Grand River Employment and Training

5 AEC Terms of Reference Indspire 25. Community Representatives* (maximum of 6) The Community Representatives are open seats available for a two year, renewable term to any Aboriginal community member who has an interest in Aboriginal Educational issues and involvement in the AEC. Open Community seats are primarily intended for community members who do not have an opportunity for representation via the organizations recognized in the terms of reference. Community Seats will be promoted annually. If there are vacant community seats and interested individuals are from affiliated organizations, they will be considered eligible to serve in a community seat, until such time there is an expressed interest from a community member. Brock Aboriginal Student Membership The Brock Aboriginal student membership, regarded as one organization, shall consist of the following students (where possible): 1. President, Brock Aboriginal Students Organization; 2. One undergraduate on campus student; or alternate 3. One undergraduate distance education student; or alternate 4. One graduate student at the Master s level; or alternate 5. One graduate student at the Ph.D. level; or alternate (this position must be filled by a Brock Ph.D. student in the first instance, and if vacant, may be filled by a student enrolled in the Joint-Ph.D. Program) 6. One Alumni student; or alternate From time to time, the AEC and its members may invite visitors and advisors to attend meetings for a specific purpose. Visitors and advisors shall have a voice but may not be involved in decision-making. Quorum Quorum shall consist of at least six Aboriginal community members and representation from Brock. Attendance In the instance where a member does not attend two consecutively scheduled meetings one of the AEC Co-Chairs will make an effort to contact the person to determine if the person wishes to remain a member. If the person wishes to be removed from the roster, and has been holding an Aboriginal organization seat, the Co-Chair will contact the relevant organization and ask that they nominate a new representative. If the member holds any of the other seats, the AEC will determine if they will fill the seat in a timely manner.

6 AEC Terms of Reference - 6 Leadership The Brock University AEC shall choose two Co-chairs with one drawn from the representatives of the Aboriginal organizations who are members of the AEC and one from the representatives of Brock. The Aboriginal Co-chair will be chosen by nomination and election by the members present. The University Co-chair will be appointed by the AEC and recommended to the President of Brock University for confirmation. The Aboriginal Co-chair may not be held by a student or an employee of Brock. Normally, the Co-chairs will be chosen at the May meeting of each academic year and will commence duties immediately following the meeting. The length of the term for the Co-chair position is a two-year term with possibility for renewal for an additional two-year term. Every effort should be made to stagger the election of the Co-chairs to alternate years, to ensure continuity. The AEC will choose an Executive Committee to act on their behalf in periods between meetings. The AEC Executive Committee shall consist of the two Co-chairs, one member from the Aboriginal Community, and the Brock Aboriginal Student Advisor. The AEC Executive Committee shall follow established policies and directives as set by the AEC during a duly constituted AEC meeting at which there is quorum. In the event that new business must be carried out, the Executive Committee must poll, by the most efficient means, all members of the AEC. A full report of the extent of this action must be made at the next full meeting. In the instance where the membership must be polled, the Executive Committee must have consensus of the official membership in order to proceed. Meetings The Brock University AEC shall normally meet during the following months: a) August b) late September c) early November d) late January e) early March f) mid May The specific calendar dates will be set for the next academic year at the May meeting. Other meetings may be held at the call of both Co-chairs. Brock shall provide Secretarial services and meeting expenses for the AEC and its committees, for the purpose of developing minutes, agendas and materials for AEC meetings. Decision-Making Decisions will be made by consensus. Consensus means that everyone either agrees with the decision or, if not in full agreement, can live with the decision made by the other members of AEC at the

7 AEC Terms of Reference - 7 assembled meeting. To identify a consensus, the Chair will state the decision as he or she understands it for the record. In the case where there is not a clear consensus, the chair should first ask every delegate in attendance to state his or her opinion on the subject at hand. If no consensus exists, the Chair may table the decision until the next meeting. Only those who are identified members of AEC shall participate in deliberations.