Council ponders aboriginal committee

February 5, 2010

By Mark Ferguson

Discussions are underway weighing the pros and cons of creating a new committee for Council to address the issue of having better aboriginal representation across campus.

As outlined in Council documents presented at its Jan. 21 meeting, the request to establish a committee dedicated to considering aboriginal issues and affairs elicited a wide range of views from members. The document also said that a committee dedicated to aboriginal affairs would fill policy gaps and develop strategies to engage more fully with Aboriginal Peoples – in line with the strategic direction of the institution as outlined in the Second Integrated Plan.

The need for more aboriginal representation is something Claire Card, chair of Council, thinks needs to happen in some way, whether that is through the creation of a new committee or some other method.

“We lack a good understanding of the issues facing aboriginal students,” said Card in an interview with On Campus News. “My view is that an aboriginal committee would make a difference and I feel this is an issue we need to divert some resources to. The time is right.”

There are many reasons why aboriginal issues are at the forefront of conversations, said Card. Saskatchewan population demographics support the importance of building the aboriginal capacity of the institution for one, as some experts estimate that 50 per cent of the province’s population will be aboriginal by 2050. In the university’s October 2009 student census, there were 1,628 self-declared aboriginal students.

According to Council documents, there are currently 16 self-declared aboriginal faculty members at the university, many of whom already sit on various  committees. This raises the concern through discussions that these individuals would be over-taxed on their duties. Although an aboriginal committee does not need to be comprised exclusively of aboriginal members, a potential drawback, said Card, will be the lack of personnel.

Card expects consideration of the proposed committee to continue for some time. She added discussion is encouraged across campus and feedback is welcome at Council meetings, which are open to everyone. “Sometimes, it is responding to calls for information and lending a voice to the discussion that is the most important.”