Our Mandate
The mandate Office of Academic and Indigenous Programs is to promote the development of initiatives that support Indigenous education and First Nations, Metis and Inuit student success. This is accomplished through leading the developing of Indigenous strategic initiatives with the Laurentian University Native Education Council and the general university community. More recent initiatives and programs include the development of the Maamwizing Indigenous Research Institute, the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre, which houses Indigenous Student Affairs, and the ongoing commitment to increasing Indigenous content across the curriculum.
Associate Vice-President’s Office
The Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic and Indigenous Programs plays a leadership role in promoting, developing and implementing initiatives and programs that supports the Laurentian University Native Education Council’s (LUNEC) mission to support self-determination of Indigenous peoples with a specific focus on ensuring access and support for retention and graduation of Indigenous students.
In 2006 the university hired Dr Sheila Cote-Meek as the inaugural Director of Academic Native Affairs. This position evolved to an Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Programs in 2009 and then to Associate Vice-President, Academic and Indigenous Programs in 2011.
As the Indigenous Academic lead, Dr Cote-Meek is responsible for objectives set out in Laurentian University’s 2012-2017 Strategic plan and Academic Plan 2015-2018 that relate specifically to Indigenous education as well as those objectives in the Niigaan Ninaabin: Looking forward to the future, LUNEC’s Indigenous Post-Secondary Education Action Plan of 2013-2017. This Niigan Ninaabin Action plan was development in collaboration with Aboriginal community representatives, Aboriginal students, as well as Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal faculty, staff and senior administrators who form the LUNEC advisory council.
 Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek, BScN, MBA, PhD |
Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek is the Associate VP, Academic & Indigenous Programs at Laurentian University. A full professor in her home department, the School of Rural and Northern Health, she has extensive experience in working with Indigenous communities both at the regional and national levels. She has developed and taught courses in Indigenous health and wellness, Indigenous research methodologies, and community organizing. Sheila completed her PhD in the Department of Sociology and Equity Studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto where her specialization was Aboriginal Education. Her research examined the experiences of Aboriginal students and professors in the postsecondary system and is the subject of her book, Colonized Classrooms: Racism, Trauma and Resistance in Post-Secondary Education. Her other area of research is in health and she is currently a co-principal investigator on a national grant that is working with 4 First Nations across Canada on tobacco misuse amongst youth. Born and raised in northern Ontario Sheila is a member of the Teme-Augama Anishnabai, a mother of three and grandmother of seven. |
 Carole Perreault, Administrative Assistant |
Carole Perreault has been born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario. She is a graduate of Cambrian College’s Bilingual Office Administration/Executive Secretary program. For the past 3 years, she has been the Administrative Assistant to the Associate Vice-President, Academic and Indigenous Programs as well as the administrative support to the Laurentian University Native Education Council (LUNEC). |
Last updated November 27, 2017.