The terms of the current members of the Aboriginal Council of Queen’s University (ACQU) are coming to an end in April and a nominating committee has been struck to seek current members for renewal, as well as new members to participate.

“The Aboriginal Council is an essential forum for discussing ideas and creating a dialogue around the needs of the Aboriginal community on campus,” says Caroline Davis, Vice-Principal (Finance and Administration) and ACQU co-chair. “It creates a space for knowledge-sharing and programming discussions, which helps build a more equitable community for Indigenous peoples at Queen’s.”

ACQU membership is made up of four constituent groups. Four seats are dedicated to Queen’s senior administration; five seats for the university community (faculty and staff); five seats for students; and 10 seats are to be filled by members of local and area Aboriginal communities. The majority of members will be representatives of the Aboriginal communities, and can include Aboriginal student representatives. Current members may be renewed for one or two-year terms and some seats will be filled by new members.

The university is reaching out to local and area Aboriginal communities to identify interested individuals who may wish to participate on the council. The council would like at least one Aboriginal community member to be a Queen’s alumna/alumnus.

The Queen’s faculties and schools currently represented on the ACQU have ongoing academic programs, services and initiatives geared to Aboriginal students and the study of Aboriginal communities. They have been asked to designate nominees to serve on council as part of the faculty and staff constituent group.

The ACQU is involved in all decisions affecting Aboriginal programs and services at Queen’s. Working groups are currently focusing on Aboriginal student access and support; Indigenous cultural awareness and programming; and Indigenous knowledge, curriculum and research.

Individuals interested in serving on the ACQU should contact Janice Hill, ACQU Secretary and Director, Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre, by Wednesday, April 3.

Learn more about the ACQU and read the ACQU’s 2012 Annual Report, submitted to Senate this month.