Call for Nominations for the Governing Circle

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be accepting nominations between December 13, 2024, and February 17, 2025, for Governing Circle Members. This call for nominations is pursuant to the Administrative Agreement signed with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Governing Circle Member will represent First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Survivors and intergenerational Survivors, and must self-identify.

Background

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is guided by the Governing Circle, which is composed of eleven members, each serving three -year terms (capable of renewal). The Governing Circle is comprised of:

• Two members being employees of or holding an academic appointment with the University of Manitoba;
• Two members from partner organizations;
• Three members representing Survivors or their families or ancestors, each one representing  First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples; and
• At all times, a majority must self-identify as Indigenous.

Members shall:

• Reflect a spirit of shared governance by the University, Survivors and their families, and other partners;
• Include a diverse set of cultures and languages; and
• Possess skills, experience, and ability to help fulfill the Purposes and Objectives.

Power and Duties:

The Governing Circle makes decisions and provides advice to the NCTR, University of Manitoba and the Partners on matters related to the Centre, such as:

• Ceremonies and protocols relating to the Purposes, the Objectives, and the Settled Property.
• Indigenous concepts important to the Purposes and Objectives.
• Methods, sources, and subject matters for expanding the Centre’s holdings and resources.
• Communications strategies for the Centre.
• Establishment of committees, including the Survivors Circle.
• Engagement with external experts and interested parties for the furtherance of the Purposes and Objectives, including inviting such individuals to provide advice to the Governing Circle or to participate in any of its meetings or committees.
• Procedures and rules for Governing Circle meetings; and
• Policies and input to guide the University of Manitoba in the exercise of its powers and discretions in relation to the Trust Deed, especially in relation to lending or disposing of any portion of the Settled Property.

The Governing Circle provides advice and guidance to the University and the Partners on other topics, including the following:

• Priorities for the Centre’s activities and spending;
• Identification and acceptance of new Partners, or removal of existing Partners, and identification of categories of Partners that would benefit the Centre;
• Policies for the exercise of such discretionary decisions as permitted by freedom of information, privacy, and copyright law;
• The application of appropriate research ethics related to Indigenous matters, including (where appropriate) reference to Indigenous principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possessions (“OCAP”), Protocols for Native American Archive Materials, and the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, specifically the chapter on Research involving the First nations, Inuit and Métis people of Canada, or any similar related protocols which have been or may in the future be developed;
• Exercise of discretion to waive fees under the Manitoba Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act;
• Raising funds to support the Centre to help achieve the Purposes and Objectives;
• Hiring and evaluation of Centre staff; and
• Rules regarding the conduct or ethics of members of the Governing Circle and its committees.

NCTR will cover travel expenses, and provided a modest honorarium related to participation with the circle. During the members term the meeting will consist of virtual and in-person meeting, this is dependent any decision and or changes to by-law, policy and guidance required, minimum four in person meetings.

How to Nominate:

First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Inuit organizations, groups, communities, and individuals may nominate the individual to the Governing Circle.

Individuals nominated may be employees or elected officials either working for or designated by the nominating body. In the case of elected officials, the nominating entity should ensure the elected term of the nominee is sufficient to cover their role on the Governing Committee.

Each nomination must consist of:

• A brief biography of 350 words or less;
• A CV of the individual; and
• One or more letters of support.

Nominators must confirm the individual nominated is willing and able to accept nomination to the Committee prior to submitting names to the Nomination Committee for review.

Selection Process:

The Nomination Committee will review all nominations who are comprised of the University of Manitoba, University Partner, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Community and Youth representatives. This committee will have sole discretion to appoint the members of the Governing Circle. Decisions made on a consensus basis.

Submission of Names

Please send nomination submissions that are open from December 13, 2024, to closing on February 17, 2025.

Nominations sent to attention:

Cecilia Baker, Governance Secretary
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Chancellors Hall – 177 Dysart Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2

Nomination packages can also be faxed to (204) 474-7533 or emailed to: Cecilia.baker@umanitoba.ca  (cc; Nancy.ross@umanitoba.ca ).

All submissions will be treated with the utmost of confidence.