Guidance and opportunities

The work of the AVP will be guided and informed by a variety of sources, including the work of the Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre and local Indigenous communities and organizations.

Financial support for Indigenous students

Resources for reconciliation, decolonization and indigenization

Within the post-secondary space both Universities Canada and the Atlantic Association of Universities are engaged in important work surrounding the issue of Indigenous education.

The following resources aide in bringing about such work:

Roadmaps for truth and reconciliation:

Additional resources:

Elders Council

Many Elders have been advocates for Indigenous and treaty rights.

For many Indigenous peoples, traditional Elders are highly respected members of Indigenous nations with intimate knowledge of worldview, language, land, stories, songs, identity, history, governance, treaties, ceremonies, medicines, and other aspects of Indigenous societies.

In collaboration with the Department of Education, the Council of Elders at UNB is brought together by Kcicihtuwinut (Knowledge Carrier-in-Residence) and Nikanahtpat (MWC Director) to provide cultural guidance on education matters related to reconciliation and Indigenization.

They have advised on historical and treaty curriculum, cultural programming, MWC’s Language Conference, Indigenizing space, and more. The Piluwitahasuwin also seeks guidance from the Council of Elders to ensure that cultural perspectives are honoured in the work of reconciliation at UNB.

Members of the Elders Council include Andrea Colfer, George Paul, Gilbert Sewell, Eldon Bernard, Walter Paul and Patsy McKinney (not pictured).

Truth and Reconciliation Task Force

The TRC Task Force for UNB was formed in 2016 and includes faculty members and staff from different units across the campuses.

The group is comprised of Indigenous faculty and allies who are committed to the work of reconcili-action. They advise, assist, and carry-out work related to decolonizing and Indigenizing content and curriculum, policies and processes, physical space, and more.

The current TRC Task Force members include:

Bev Bramble Instructional Designer at CETL
Charles Sacobie Faculty of Biology (FR)
Dax MacLean Director of Student Recruitment
Debra Lindsay Professor of History (FR)
Gabriela Tymowski-Gionet Professor of Kinesiology (FR)
John Bigger AVP Campus Operations FM (FR)
Kathy Wilson AVP Academic (FR)
Marc Bragdon Reference Librarian (FR)
Natalie Webber Teaching Associate of Computer Science (FR)
Rob Moir Associate Dean of Business (SJ)
Scot DeJong Director of Donor Relations
Sharon Wahl Dean of Education (FR)
Sheila Burt Director of CEL
Shelley Perry Associate Registrar (FR)
Susan Blair Professor of Anthropology (FR)
Tom Beckley Professor of ForEM (FR)

KAIROS Blanket Exercise Facilitators at UNB

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) program is a unique, participatory history lesson – developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and educators – that fosters truth, understanding, respect and reconciliation among Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.

We have trained KBE facilitators who are qualified to deliver the KBE at UNB.

Considerations for booking a blanket exercise:

  • Contact has been established at least one month in advance
  • Minimum three hours set aside for the KBE
  • Minimum group of 15 participants
  • Honorarium for Elder
  • Availability of chairs, water and tissues on-site
  • Smudging on-site