President's Advisory Committee on Indigenous Initiatives

Committee Lead: President and Vice-Chancellor

Established: April 27, 2013

Revised: V6 approved - January 27, 2026

Background

Education is a powerful tool for transformation and reconciliation. The University of Guelph is committed to creating equitable and ethical environments where First Nations, Inuit and Métis students, staff, faculty and communities can thrive. Bi-Naagwad | It Comes Into View, U of G's first Indigenous Initiatives Strategy provided a clear path forward - enhancing opportunities for Indigenous peoples within the academy, fostering inclusive spaces that respect Indigenous cultures, languages and knowledges, and supporting ethical Indigenous-led research.

This work includes curricular transformation, strengthening Indigenous representation, and cultivating reciprocal relationships with communities on and off campus. Progress requires openness, respect, and governance structures that ensure Indigenous voices are consistently engaged in decision-making. While the journey is complex, we have a responsibility to address colonial harms and contribute to a future where Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing coexist respectfully within the academy. 

Committee Responsibilities

In this spirit, the University of Guelph has established the President’s Advisory Committee on Indigenous Initiatives (PACII) to identify, develop, and advance strategic institutional priorities that will:

• promote greater awareness and recognition of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, and foster reconciliation within our institution and the broader community;
• improve access to and support the participation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in post-secondary education, including undergraduate and graduate academic programs, and the workforce (staff and faculty);
• enrich the curriculum and pedagogy through greater inclusion of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, cultures, knowledges, languages and worldviews within academic programs;
• further innovative research based on ethical and reciprocal relationships;
• foster and sustain relationships for meaningful engagement between the University and Indigenous communities; and
• help to identify and secure funding to support Indigenous learners, and institutional initiatives that promote greater engagement of First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, knowledges, languages and worldviews and work towards reconciliation.

Membership

For the purposes of this committee, the term Indigenous Peoples is used as a collective name for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Attention should be paid to ensure there is diverse representation from First Nations, Inuit and Métis persons, and Indigenous communities/organizations with working Memorandums of Understanding across the committee and all ad-hoc committees. The committee will include:

• President and Vice-Chancellor, or designate
• Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
• Vice-Provost (Student Affairs)
• Associate Dean Academic
• Associate Vice-President (Research Services)
• Manager, Indigenous Student Centre
• Assistant Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives)
• First Nations, Métis or Inuit Faculty (2) (staggered three-year terms)
• First Nations, Métis or Inuit Students (2): one undergraduate and one graduate student (three-year term)
• First Nations, Métis or Inuit Community Members (4) (three-year term). To include:
  • A member of the Mississaugas of the Credit
  • A member of Six Nations of the Grand River
  • A Métis citizen

All terms shall be renewable.

Indigenous Kinship, Membership and Citizenship 

In order to serve as a First Nations, Inuit or Métis member of the President's Advisory Committee on Indigenous Initiatives, an individual must complete the University of Guelph's Indigenous Identity Confirmation process. 

Committee Supports

The following individuals will support the needs of the committee, as required:

• Assistant Vice-President (Graduate Studies)
• Assistant Vice-President (Institutional Analysis & Research)
• Registrar
• Indigenous Student Centre Staff
• Indigenous Initiatives Staff
• Other institutional offices or community partners

Committee Meetings

The committee will normally meet two times annually. 

To encourage open and forthright discussions, verbatim minutes will not be taken. The meeting summary will document the key discussion topics but will not attribute comments to specific individuals or organizations.

The committee will for standing and ad-hoc committees as required.

Indigenous Caucus

The Indigenous Caucus is a standing sub-committee of the President's Committee on Indigenous Initiatives and will be composed of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis members of the PACII.

The Indigenous Caucus will normally meet four times annually. Two meetings will be scheduled to coincide with the meetings of the PACII. These Indigenous Caucus meetings will be held prior to the PACII meeting to discuss any topics or raise new items to bring forward to the PACII. The remaining two meetings will be scheduled independently. 

A meeting summary will document the key discussion topics and items to bring forward.