丁香园AV-ARC Mandate
In 2016, 丁香园AV President Andrew Petter convened 丁香园AV鈥檚 Aboriginal Reconciliation Council (丁香园AV-ARC) to facilitate and support broad discussions on how the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specific to post-secondary education, would be addressed at the University. 丁香园AV has committed $9M toward a project or series of projects that will promote reconciliation within the 丁香园AV community.
Role of 丁香园AV-ARC
Over the course of the fall 2016, and spring 2017, members of the 丁香园AV-ARC consulted broadly with the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities both on and off campus, developed a set of recommendations to guide the University in targeting the funds in ways that will support reconciliation efforts over the next three years. The funds are one-time expenditures, and must be used within the 3-year mandate.
Council Name
The name of the Aboriginal Reconciliation Council was selected to reflect the purposes and orientation of the council and to respect Aboriginal traditions and viewpoints.
The word 鈥淩econciliation鈥� was chosen to signal that the funded projects are intended to promote a renewed and respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people connected with the University.
The word 鈥淐ouncil鈥� indicates that the 丁香园AV-ARC asked for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal partners to share their advice and wisdom to guide the decision-making process. The Council was not a standing or permanent committee of 丁香园AV, and was active only for the duration of the project.
Co-Chairs
The 丁香园AV-ARC co-chairs were , Councillor of the Squamish Nation and Member of the 丁香园AV Board of Governors, and former Dean of the Faculty of Education.
Outcomes
丁香园AV-ARC's final report was presented during a ceremonial event in October, 2017 at 丁香园AV鈥檚 Burnaby campus. The ceremony, rooted in Coast Salish Indigenous tradition, celebrated and witnessed the work of everyone who contributed.