Institute Constitution
Constitution
Terms of Reference
Indigenous Research Institute
Simon Fraser University
The constitution for the Indigenous Research Institute, Simon Fraser University was ratified by university senate in September 2011.
Statement of Special Purpose
The purpose of the Indigenous Research Institute is (1) to promote research in areas related to Indigenous peoples — in particular, the Aboriginal peoples of Canada — and in a larger context, those of the global community, and (2) to facilitate community-based projects with Indigenous partners. The Institute will promote research by bringing together the expertise of Indigenous individuals, groups, and organizations with that of the academic community, to engage in work that meets goals and objectives that is specified by and meaningful to both Indigenous and academic individuals and groups. A meaningful aspect of this process will be the facilitation of communication between Indigenous individuals/communities and the university. The Institute will also promote collaborative research projects within the university and will seek and support internal and external funding for the promotion and pursuit of such research.
Membership
Members of faculty and graduate students at Simon Fraser University who carry on active research related to Indigenous peoples — in particular, the Aboriginal peoples of Canada — may become members of the Institute. Prospective members will apply directly to the Institute’s steering committee, which will determine and approve eligibility for membership.
Statement of Internal Governing Procedures
The Indigenous Research Institute is identified as a Research Institute in the sense of SFU Policy R40.01, and reports to the Vice-President, Research. The Indigenous Research Institute will comply with Simon Fraser University policies in all its activities and affairs. The term of the Institute is five years as per SFU Policy R 40.01.
An annual report on the Institute’s activities and financial status from April 1 to March 31, including the current membership of the Institute and steering committee, will be submitted to the Vice-President, Research by June 30th of each year.An annual report on the Institute’s activities and financial status from April 1 to March 31, including the current membership of the Institute and steering committee, will be submitted to the Vice-President, Research by June 30th of each year.
The Institute will be governed by a steering committee, made up of at least six members of the Institute. Members of the steering committee will be appointed by the Director upon nomination by members of the Institute. Steering committee members will normally serve terms of two years.
The steering committee is to determine the overall direction of the Institute and to oversee management of its operations. While it normally operates by consensus, when necessary it can make decisions by majority vote, including the nomination of new members of the steering committee.
The list of current steering committee members for the Institute, as of May 2011, is composed of members of the ad hoc steering committee responsible for formulating this constitutional document. This includes: Dr. Tom Perry, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Linguistics; Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn, Associate Professor and Director, First Nations Studies Program; Dr. Vicki Kelly, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education; Dr. Mary Ellen Kelm, Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal History; Dr. annie ross, Assistant Professor, First Nations Studies; and William G. Lindsay, Director, Office for Aboriginal Peoples.
The Institute Director
The Institute Director will be appointed by the Vice-President, Research, upon a nomination by and from the steering committee of the Institute. The term of appointment would normally be for a three-year period, renewable upon mutual agreement.
Operational responsibility for internal governance and management of activities of the Institute lies with the Director, who develops Institute policies in consultation with the steering committee.
The Director’s specific tasks — which the Director may delegate but not abrogate —include but are not limited to the following responsibilities:
- Chair the steering committee
- Oversee Institute activities and meetings
- Oversee Institute finances
- Recruit members
- Hire requisite Institute personnel, including support staff and research assistants
- Prepare an annual report to be submitted to the Vice-President, Research
External Consultation
The steering committee may choose to establish various advisory committees consisting of members of the Institute, members of Indigenous communities, and others, in order to connect the work of the Institute with the interests and concerns of these Indigenous communities. Membership on these committees will be at the invitation of the steering committee.
Funding Statement
Some initial funding for the activities of the Institute will be provided by the Office for Aboriginal Peoples and other sources internal to Simon Fraser University.
Additional and ongoing funding will be secured from sources external to the university