Indigenous Education Council

Indigenous Education Council (IEC)

The Indigenous Education Council is an advisory committee to the College’s President, Board of Governors and the Indigenous Initiatives department.

Our commitment to helping Indigenous students achieve their fullest potential plays an essential role in developing an institutional strategy for meeting Indigenous student and community educational needs, as well as further creating an environment of social inclusion – one that seeks and promotes intercultural sharing.  Indigenous refers to the original peoples – First Nation, Inuit and Métis.

To provide strategic advice to George Brown College to ensure that Indigenous learners are effectively recruited, engaged and supported in addressing their higher education. To further ensure a  that community training needs are addressed.

The Indigenous Education council is committed to addressing Indigenous Education at George Brown College so we may ensure that Indigenous students seven generations hereafter, will have culturally appropriate education available to them. 

The Indigenous Education Council will strive to assist in making continuous progress towards achieving measurable outcomes within Indigenous Education at George Brown College through the provision of strategic advice and feedback.  We also recognize that this is going to be a long-term initiative that requires mutual commitment and work.  

1. To serve as the Indigenous Education Council for Post-secondary Education Fund for Indigenous Learners (PEFIL) funding applications as referred to in the Indigenous Post-secondary Education and Training Policy Framework (2011)
2. To make recommendations on Indigenous education, training, and services to meet the existing and evolving needs of Indigenous learners 
3. To build relationships and to be accountable to Indigenous communities in support of their educational and training needs
4. To make a commitment to be inclusive of the culture and traditions of Indigenous peoples to be reflected throughout the College, its curriculum and learning approaches
5. Report regularly to the Board, through the Committee Chair, the results of the IEC’s activities in such manner approved by the Board
6. On an annual basis, present for review, a proposed work plan to be incorporated into the Indigenous Initiatives department to share with the Board
7. To have the opportunity to review and offer suggestions on the design and development of  Indigenous education programs and services, either independently or in partnership with other stakeholder(s) for implementation and delivery by George Brown College
8. To act as a resource for the nomination of representatives from the Indigenous communities to the George Brown College Board of Governors  
9. To provide strategic feedback, guidance and suggestions with respect to recruitment of Indigenous students to our college
10. To provide strategic feedback with respect to recruitment of Indigenous employees to our college
11. To determine through group consensus the Chair and Vice-Chair of the IEC who shall serve one term, with the opportunity for renewal 

The Indigenous Education Council will convene quarterly meetings.

The College will provide financial reimbursement for the cost of travel and meal expenses for all members to attend Council meetings as per College guidelines and/or an honorarium.

Recent Meeting Minutes

2023

• July 11, 2023
• December 5, 2023

• This council has a maximum of eight voting members, which including the Council Chair and Co-Chair
• Council members shall serve a term (one full academic year) with the opportunity for renewal and/or organization reappointment 
• Council members will come from various constituency groups. This will provide valuable insight and will compose a diverse perspective
• Membership shall be comprised based on a skills matrix to support representational diversity across all groups/populations amongst the council
• This council shall review and approve its skills matrix on an annual basis

The Indigenous Education Council will consist of:

1. Indigenous community chair
2. Indigenous Community member from MCFN
3. 3 Knowledge Keepers/Indigenous Community Members
4. 1 Indigenous student and/or alumni
5. President GBC
6. Vice President Academic, GBC
7. Director and/or Manager Indigenous Initiatives GBC
8. 1 Indigenous Staff and/or Faculty member

• Members will be voted in by council annually 
• Each member will serve for one term (full academic year) 
• Membership can be renewed 
• All members have voting rights: 1 per seat
   

The Quorum shall consist of 50 percent plus one (1) of the voting membership of the Indigenous Education Council.

These terms of reference will be reviewed, every two years, each August, and changes will be recommended/made as deemed appropriate by the members of the Indigenous Education Council. 

Council members will maintain the confidentiality of any and all information, discussions, or proceedings taking place at sessions of the council. Where a matter is to be considered by the council as confidential, the Council Chair will inform council members that the information being discussed will remain confidential throughout the meeting and thereafter.

Council members will act with honesty, in good faith, and in the best interests of the IEC. If a conflict of interest arises, the member will declare such and remove themselves from all proceedings related to the conflict.

The Council may remove a member from the Council by a resolution of the Council according to the IEC Removal of Council Members process.