The Indigenous Initiatives involves identifying the emerging needs and strategic opportunities for Indigenous students, faculty and communities, and ensuring institutional-wide Indigenization is aligned and coordinated with current and new programming across campuses supporting UNBC’s commitment to reconciliation. Indigenization is recognized as one of the pillars of UNBC’s Academic Action Plan and is integrated into all university planning. The Lead, Indigenous Initiatives position and the Office of Indigenization and Education have been created to strategically support and achieve the goals and priorities of the University. This Office will lead, integrate and coordinate the university’s Indigenization efforts across all campuses and regions. The university community is working in harmony toward the common goal of increasing opportunities and supporting programs for Indigenous students interested in seeking a post-secondary education and throughout their journey at UNBC.

The objectives include the following:

1. The design of a framework for meaningful ongoing engagement with Indigenous communities to build long-term relationships which will allow the University to understand the emerging needs of Aboriginal students and design programs to best serve their priorities and goals.
2. The development of an Indigenous Action Plan that aligns with the University Strategic Road Map and the goals of the Aboriginal Service Plan.

Project Lead: Mark Dale, Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Project Manager: Bernadette Patenaude, Director, Integrated Planning and UNBC Aboriginal Services Plan Committee

Priority 1: Attract, retain and develop outstanding students, faculty and staff
Priority 2: Enhance the quality and impact of academic programming and delivery

Reference: Academic Action Plan
Part 1.5 Decolonization and Indigenization