Indigenous Education Council

¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp's Indigenous Education Council (IEC) is a joint advisory committee and decision-making body that centres the success of Indigenous students and employees at the college. The IEC is an essential collaborative space for strategizing methods to increase Indigenous student success. The IEC is one pathway for ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp to build community with Indigenous communities and to directly engage with Indigenous students and employees.

The council champions the needs of Indigenous students and employees and provides advice and support to the college on all Indigenous matters. It is the primary body responsible for promoting and advocating for the advancement of Indigenous education.

The Indigenous Education Council is mandated by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are consistently and regularly engaged in decision-making within the institution.

The Indigenous Education Council provides recommendations to the director of Indigenous Initiatives, including guidance and recommendations that inform:

  • Indigenization of academic programming: how to integrate Indigenous knowledge into academic programming, how to value Indigenous-led educational opportunities
  • Enhancement of Indigenous student and employee experience
  • Opportunities to collaborate and community build through Indigenous-led professional development opportunities, committees, arts and events

For more information, contact bedahbingamik@conestogac.on.ca.

Indigenous Education Council membership

2023 membership
Name​
Membership representation
Community / Professional role
​Luane Roberts
(Co-chair)
External Indigenous Services Agency
Waterloo Region Community Legal Services - Indigenous Justice Program - Indigenous Justice Coordinator
​Christina Restoule (Co-chair)Manager, Indigenous Services, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖappManager, Indigenous Services, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
​Danielle BoissoneauDirector, Office of Indigenous Initiatives, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖappDirector, Office of Indigenous Initiatives, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
Raven Morand¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp alumni
Indigenous Services Coordinator, Be-Dah-Bin-Gamik (Indigenous Services), ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
​Brandi Bilodeau¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp alumni
¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp alumni
​Tammy WebsterCommunity member
Formerly Waterloo Region Catholic School Board
Jennifer Parkinson​Community member
​President, Grand River Métis Council, Métis Nation of Ontario
​Nicole RobinsonWaterloo Region District School Board
Equity and Inclusion Officer – Indigenous Focus, Waterloo Region District School Board
​Roxane ShawanaIndigenous student recruiter / Marketing, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
Indigenous Student Recruiter, Marketing, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
​Kassidy RouselleIndigenous Director, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp Students Inc. (CSI), ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
Indigenous Director, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp Students Inc. (CSI), ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
​Nelson ChukwumaPresident, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp Students Inc. (CSI), ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖappPresident, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp Students Inc. (CSI), ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
​Michelle RehelIndigenous Student Circle member, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖappIndigenous AVP, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp Students Inc. (CSI), ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
​Shawn BrakeAdministration, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖappExecutive Dean, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
​Trish Weigel-GreenVice President, Students, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖappVice President, Students, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
​John TibbitsPresident, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖappPresident, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
​Zandra Bear-LowenFaculty, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp
Faculty, ¾ÅÖÝÓéÀÖapp