Indigenous advisory council announced

The University of Prince Edward Island is taking further steps to honour the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report with plans for an indigenous advisory group.

The purpose of the council will be to guide, advise and support the overall direction to indigenize the campus and contribute to the reconciliation process through higher learning.

Members include Brian Francis, chief of Abegweit First Nation; Matilda Ramjattan, chief of Lennox Island First Nation; Lisa Cooper, president and chief of the Native Council of P.E.I.; Judith Clark, UPEI elder-in-residence and president of the Aboriginal Women’s Association of Prince Edward Island; Payton Jadis, president of the UPEI Aboriginal Student Association; Robert Gilmour Jr., UPEI vice-president academic and research; and Jackie Podger, UPEI vice-president administration and finance.

“UPEI is committed to being fully aware of the role our institution must play in promoting a better understanding of Aboriginal history and culture and supporting respectful relationships based on mutual understanding with members of our Indigenous community,” said UPEI president Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz.

“This council will explore ideas and develop initiatives that enable the campus to change attitudes and open opportunities so that indigenous students at UPEI are welcomed and can thrive and achieve high levels of academic and personal success.”