AEC step closer to being filled

Andrea Amelinckx, Dr. Michelle Hogue and Dr. Blythe Shepard were approved as academic staff members by the General Faculty Council body to serve on the Aboriginal Education Committee that represents important stakeholders from the University of Lethbridge and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. The three new members join ex officio members Dr. Judith Lapadat (chair), Dr. Mike Mahon (president), Roy Weasel Fat (interim director of the Gathering Place), Elizabeth Ferguson (coordinator, Native Student Advising) and voting members Elder Andy Black Water, Piinaakoyim Tail Feathers (undergraduate or graduate student nominated by NASA), and senior administrators Brenda Mathenia and Dr. Muriel Mellow. Two Aboriginal community members and one alumni member still need to be selected. In May, 2012, U of L President Mike Mahon received a report that examined First Nations, Métis and Inuit initiatives across the campus and presented recommendations on a future strategy. The Aboriginal Education Policy, approved in December 2012, mandated the creation of the Aboriginal Education Committee. The committee will be responsible for the overall implementation, periodic review and evaluation of the Aboriginal Education Policy.