Aurora College has announced the members of its new Indigenous knowledge-holders’ council, which is holding its first meeting in Yellowknife this week.
In a Tuesday news release, the college published the names of 13 members of the council appointed by its board of governors.
The college said the council members are Dene, Inuvialuit and Métis residents from across the territory who have been involved in leadership and education as well as Indigenous cultures and traditions.
The Indigenous knowledge-holders’ council, or IKHC, is one of three bodies that make up the college’s new governance structure alongside a board of governors and academic council.
The college said the IKHC will be responsible for promoting policies and decisions that “foster the success” of Indigenous students and staff. That work will include developing and monitoring an implementation framework “that respects and honours the worldviews, traditions, cultures and histories” of Indigenous people in the NWT.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“The IKHC will draft and design a framework of their own priorities, mandates and operational guidelines, which will outline the action areas to ensure the spirit and intent of Indigeneity is embedded in the college’s policies, practices, procedures, programs and overall operations,” Joseph Handley, chair of the college’s board of governors, was quoted as saying.
Inaugural members of IKHC, each appointed for a three-year term, are:
- Therese Charlo, Dettah
- Stella Desjarlais, Łútsël K’é
- Velma Illasiak, Aklavik
- Nathan Kogiak, Yellowknife
- Dëneze Nakehk’o, Fort Simpson
- Gladys Norwegian, Enterprise/Hay River
- Bonita Nowell, Yellowknife
- Shirley Pederson, Fort McPherson
- Gila Somers, Yellowknife
- Freda Taneton, Délı̨nę
- Tony Vermillion, Fort Smith
- Lisa Zoe, Yellowknife
- Camilia Zoe-Chocolate, Yellowknife
