UTSC Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenous Initiatives Advisory Committee

Preamble

As the University of Toronto Scarborough continues on the path of inspiring inclusive excellence, we are always mindful of the fact that our success has been made possible by the exceptional opportunity given to us by our host Indigenous communities to operate on their lands. We are grateful for that generosity and cherish our continuing partnerships with them. We remain resolute in our commitment to addressing the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We also strive to realize the recommendations from Answering the Call – Wecheehetowin: Report of the Steering Committee for the University of Toronto’s Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and UTSC’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring Inclusive Excellence: A Strategic Vision for the University of Toronto Scarborough (2020-2025), with the guidance and support of local Indigenous communities.

Mandate

The mandate of the UofT Scarborough Truth, Reconciliation, and Indigenous Initiatives Advisory Committee (TRIIAC) is to serve as an advisory body to the Vice-President and Principal and the campus’ Executive Team as they undertake initiatives to uphold, sustain, and strengthen UTSC’s strategic priorities and objectives with respect to promoting, supporting and enhancing Indigenous presence in all facets of our mission.

The committee is tasked with guiding the leadership team in its efforts to steward the implementation of relevant strategies and initiatives across the campus, in alignment with the recommendations from Answering the Call – Wecheehetowin and Inspiring Inclusive Excellence.

Furthermore, the committee will help to develop engagement frameworks that enable our teaching, learning, research, and outreach activities to be undertaken per Indigenous protocols, and in a manner that promotes mutual respect, reciprocal partnerships with local and other communities, and equitable outcomes.

Composition and Membership

The committee shall be composed of 9 members appointed by the Vice-President and Principal to represent faculty, staff, students, and the external community, 6 ex-officio members, as well as the UTSC Elders’ Circle. In appointing members to the committee, the Principal will take into account the need to ensure a balanced representation of key constituencies and communities. The membership shall be as follows:

Co-Chairs

The committee shall have two co-chairs, one of whom will be the Assistant Director, Indigenous Initiatives in an ex-officio capacity. The other co-chair will normally be a faculty member, who is not on the Executive Team. The second co-chair shall be appointed by the Vice-President and Principal for a two-year renewable term, following appropriate consultations.

Ex-Officio Members

Vice-President and Principal, UTSC

Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, UTSC

Dean of Student Experience & Wellbeing, UTSC

Executive Director/Chief Curator, Doris McCarthy Gallery, UTSC

Assistant Director, Indigenous Initiatives, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, UTSC Senior Director, Tri-Campus Office of Indigenous Initiatives, UofT

Special Advisor to the Vice-President and Principal on Indigenous Initiatives Members of the UTSC Elders’ Circle

Appointed Members

2 Self-identified Indigenous students (Canadian or non-Canadian)

1 Self-identified Indigenous faculty member

1 Faculty member with expertise relevant to the committee mandate

1 Self-identified Indigenous staff member

Tenure of Appointed Members: Student members shall serve one-year renewable terms while other members shall serve two-year renewable terms.

Guest Involvement

The committee may choose to invite guests with relevant insights and expertise to its meetings to assist in deliberations. These may include Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community leaders, members of the Executive Team, UTSC/UofT faculty, staff and students, external professionals and scholars.

Sub-committees

The committee may, if it deems it necessary, establish a sub-committee of members or an ad hoc committee, which may include non-members, for specific activities related to its mandate.

Committee Member Accountability

Members, individually and collectively, have a responsibility to notify the Executive Team about matters and activities within the community that may impact UTSC’s mission, and to make related recommendations for consideration.

Quorum and Voting

• At least 50% of current members, including co-chairs, must be present to constitute a quorum.

• All members are voting members.

• Decisions would normally be by consensus, otherwise they will be determined by a simple majority of members present.

Meeting Frequency

The committee will normally meet twice in each of the Fall and Winter terms and on an ad hoc basis as required.