Aboriginal Vision Committee

Presented to: The Senate, Carleton University

Presented by:Linda Capperauld

Director of Equity Services

Aboriginal Vision Committee

Presidential Advisory Committee will develop recommendations to:

• Increase participation of Aboriginal persons at Carleton (students, faculty and staff)

• Increase awareness of, and inclusion of, the diversity and richness of Aboriginal cultures

• Strengthen inclusion of Aboriginal knowledge (academic, research) within the university

Committee Membership

• Co-chaired by the Vice-President Academic and Provost and a member of the Aboriginal Community

• 20 members; 5 faculty; 7 staff; 5 community; 2 students; one Elder

• 6 working groups• Advice and technical support provided by

Equity Services

Deliverables

June 2009 final report - Recommendations for a coordinated University strategy supporting 6 areas:

1. Student Services2. Human Resources3. Academic Programs4. Research Programs5. Community Outreach6. Cultural Programs

Student Services

• Centre for Aboriginal culture and Education (Equity Services)

• Aboriginal Student Service Centre (CUSA)• Aboriginal Enriched Support Program• Aboriginal Student Council• Aboriginal Lounge• Aboriginal Counsellor (until March 2009)

Human Resources

• Carleton’s Employment Equity Program contains goals to recruit and retain Aboriginal faculty and staff

• Off-campus Aboriginal career fairs

Academic Programs

• Canadian Studies offers a Minor in Aboriginal Studies

• Opportunities to focus on Aboriginal Studies through the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and several graduate level programs

• Distance Education – Certificate in Nunavut Public Services Studies (School of Public Policy and Administration)

Research Programs

• Centre for Indigenous Research, Culture, Language and Education (CIRCLE)

• 16+ researchers• Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of

Aboriginal Arts and Cultures• Knowledge and Human Resources for Innu

language development

Community Outreach

• Liaison with Aboriginal community organizations, community leaders and community Elders

• Support to Urban Aboriginal Alternate High School Program (Odawa Native Friendship Centre and Ottawa School Board)

Cultural Programs

• Aboriginal Awareness Week (3rd)• Tipi on campus• Annual Pow-Wows• Talking circles, pot-lucks• Aboriginal lounge is equipped for smudging• The New Sun Chair in Aboriginal Art and

Culture – annual symposium

Opportunities

Aboriginal Student Recruitment/Retention

• 3.2% of ON university undergrads consider themselves to be Aboriginal

• At Ottawa U., 3.7% are Aboriginal• In comparison, only 2.6% of Carleton

respondents declared themselves as Aboriginal

Opportunities

Aboriginal Student Recruitment/Retention

• Almost 10% (1,785) of Aboriginal youth in Ontario, 20-24 years of age, live in Ottawa-Gatineau (2006)

• Projected 25% increase in Canadian Aboriginal youth population by 2021

Opportunities

Funding • Ontario Ministry of Education and Training,

Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy (AETS) AETS Criteria• Aboriginal Education Council, Aboriginal

representation, part of decisions, action plan• Access of Aboriginal representatives to Senate

and Board• Student access to Aboriginal counselling

Opportunities

Engaging with Community

• Nunavut Certificate – successful community-based model – other Aboriginal communities are interested

• Akwesasne Mohawk Board of Education and Kitigan Zibi Education Sector

Opening Ceremony – September 2008

Irvin Hill – Aboriginal Cultural Liaison Officer