Indigenous Education Council

OCAD University's Indigenous Education Council (IEC) (formerly Aboriginal Education Council) was established in 2008, with a mandate to make recommendations and share strategies that provide direction and guidance in the ongoing development, maintenance and implementation of Indigenous-related initiatives and programming. The IEC is made up of volunteer members that represent the interests and concerns of the internal and broader Indigenous community. The Council identifies, facilitates and strengthens collaboration and partnership with Indigenous communities, public sector bodies and other relevant stakeholders.

The IEC has a University-wide mandate to promote, guide and direct the implementation of Indigenous priorities and objectives in the Academic and Strategic Plan 2022-2028. 

For more information, please refer to the IEC's Terms of Reference (PDF). 

The Indigenous Education Council currently meets four times annually.

The next meeting is on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

Current members (2024-2025)

Tannis Nielsen, IEC Co-Chair
Elizabeth Osawamick, Elder

External members

Alex Wilson
Ange Loft
Denise Bolduc
Fallon Simard
Jackson Leween, Two Bears
Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory
Leah Fontaine
Patrick Hunter
Rebeka Tabobondung
Tarralik Patridge

Internal OCAD U members

Tristan McTague, Indigenous Student Association Co-President  
TBA, Indigenous Graduate Student  
Emilia Nahdee, Indigenous Undergraduate Student   
Julia Rose Sutherland, Special Advisor to the Provost, Indigenous Initiatives  
Melissa General, Manager, Indigenous Student Centre   
Susan Blight, Chair, Indigenous Visual Culture Program  
Peter Morin, Indigenous Faculty Member
Lauren Madahbee, Student Success Coordinator

Non-voting members

Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor 
Caroline Langill, Vice-President, Academic and Provost 
Deanne Fisher, Vice-Provost, Students and International 
Jules Goss, Chair, OCAD University Senate 
Tanya Bowes, Board Secretary & Director, Strategic Planning 
Stephen Foster, Dean, Faculty of Art 
Sarita Srivastava, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science 
Lesley- Ann Noel, Dean, Faculty of Design
Ashok Mathur, Vice-President, Research & Dean, School of Graduate Studies

All OCAD U Indigenous faculty, students and staff are welcome and encouraged to attend Council meetings.