S.03-46
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Senate Committee on University Priorities
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Memorandum
TO: Senate
RE:
First Nations Guiding Principles
FROM:
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John Waterho
Chair, scup(
,fl/U
Vice Presidj5รง'Academic
DATE: ?
March 7, 26
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Attached is the document: "First Nations Guiding Principles" which is submitted for
consideration by the First Nations Advisory Council.
The Senate Committee on University Priorities (SCUP) reviewed and approved this
document at its February 24, 2003 meeting.
Motion:
That Senate approve the First Nations Guiding Principles as outlined in document
S03-46
end.
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FIRST NATIONS GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Preamble
The First Nations Advisory Council of Simon Fraser University has considered
how the University could better serve First Nations students and communities, and
offers the following principles as an initial guide for future actions in this endeavour.
Some first steps toward implementation are subsequently outlined below in an action
plan. For its part, the University appreciates the advice and wisdom the council offers,
and will seek to follow this advice as it takes action to develop and improve this
dimension of its educational mandate. When doing so, the University will recognize the
diversity of the First Nations of Canada and the First Nations Advisory Council will
recognize the academic authority of the University's Senate.
Guiding Principles
I. ?
The University recognizes the unique educational needs and identities of
First Nations.
As First Nations acquire increased control over governance, education, health
care, and other social and economic dimensions of their communities, the educational
contribution of the University to First Nations should support their efforts in this process.
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II. ?
Encourage full and equitable participation by First Nations people at SFU.
Based on this principle, SFU will work to increase First Nations student
enrolment to a proportion commensurate with that of the representation of First Nations
people in the general population of British Columbia.
Ill. ?
Provide a supportive academic and community environment for First
Nations people at SFU.
First Nations students enrolled at SFU will have access to financial support
programs, such as grants and fellowships, and non-financial support programs, such as
mentorship and a supportive social context.
IV. Acknowledge, respect and incorporate First Nations values and traditions
in the programs of the University, subject to Senate approval.
As an institution dedicated to discovering and transmitting knowledge, the
University should make good use of the traditional knowledge developed over the years
by First Nations people, and will support academic work that incorporates indigenous
knowledge.
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V.
Address the higher education needs and aspirations of First Nations
communities.
The University recognizes the range of educational needs of First Nations
communities as they strive to protect their ancestral cultures and languages and as they
develop new forms of
governance.
VI.
Collaborate and form partnerships to serve First Nations' educational
objectives.
This principle guides SFU to seek out alliances with First Nations and with other
institutions in the broader community to achieve educational objectives that benefit First
Nations.
VII.
Affirm the ongoing institutional commitment to higher education among
First Nations' communities.
The University will monitor progress in connection with these guiding principles
and will report accordingly to the First Nations Advisory Council.
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March 25, 2003
