McGill University has formally established the Onkwehón:we Advisory Council (OAC), a new Indigenous‑led advisory body designed to strengthen Indigenous representation and advance McGill’s long‑term commitments to truth and reconciliation.
The creation of the Council responds directly to McGill’s 52 Calls to Action, developed following the 2017 Provost’s Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education. In particular, the OAC fulfills Call to Action No. 51, which called for the creation of a formal Indigenous advisory council with a defined mandate and robust community representation, as well as Call No. 22, which emphasizes the importance of Indigenous participation in university governance.
“As Provost and Executive Vice‑President (Academic), I serve as the steward of McGill’s 52 Calls to Action and our institutional pathway toward truth and reconciliation,” said Angela Campbell, Provost and Executive Vice‑President (Academic). “That stewardship has taught me that reconciliation is not a project with a finish line. It is an ongoing commitment to building respectful relationships, to listening carefully, and to learning from Indigenous communities as we continue to reflect on and evolve how this institution understands, listens and works alongside Indigenous peoples.”
Similar Indigenous advisory councils have been established at universities across Canada as part of broader efforts to advance reconciliation through governance reform. These bodies play a critical role in embedding Indigenous knowledge systems and leadership into institutional decision‑making, strengthening accountability and supporting long‑term, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous nations and communities.
“As McGill advances its commitments to reconciliation, the Onkwehón:we Advisory Council provides a strong foundation for Indigenous engagement,” added Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor of McGill. “This Council reflects our commitment to relationship building and working together in accountable, sustained ways to drive meaningful, long-term institutional change.”
A mandate grounded in Indigenous advancement
The mandate of the Onkwehón:we Advisory Council is to contribute to the advancement of Indigenous peoples by providing advice and recommendations to McGill’s leadership and governance bodies on matters related to Indigenous education and McGill’s relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
The Council provides guidance on policies, programs, research initiatives, courses and services that affect Indigenous students, faculty, staff and communities. Its work is intended to support informed, sustained decision‑making grounded in Indigenous perspectives, lived experience and community priorities.
Indigenous governance and guiding principles
The OAC operates according to Indigenous governance principles and is guided by the core cultural teachings of Ka’nikonhri:io (The Good Mind) and the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which emphasize respect, relational accountability and ethical leadership.
Meetings are chaired by Celeste Pedri‑Spade, Associate Provost (Indigenous Initiatives), who serves as an ex‑officio, non‑voting member. Decision‑making prioritizes consensus, reflecting Indigenous approaches to collective governance.
“Indigenous governance is fundamentally relational,” said Prof. Pedri‑Spade. “The Council creates a space where Indigenous communities are not simply consulted, but where their knowledge and leadership can meaningfully shape how the University moves forward. This is about building relationships that are accountable, sustained and grounded in mutual respect.”
Broad Indigenous representation
The Onkwehón:we Advisory Council brings together Indigenous leaders and representatives from within and beyond the University. Membership includes representatives from local Kanién’kehá:ka communities as well as representatives from the First Nations Education Council, Makivvik and the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.
“The First Nations Education Council (FNEC) is honoured to be part of the Onkwehón:we Advisory Council. Drawing on our expertise in First Nations education – from preschool through to the development of a university by and for First Peoples, known as the House of Knowledge – the FNEC hopes that our participation in this advisory body will contribute to fostering an environment that supports the educational success of First Nations students.” said Philippe Girard, University Project Coordinator, First Nations Education Council
Indigenous students, an Indigenous faculty member and a Montreal‑based Indigenous community representative also serve on the Council, ensuring a diversity of perspectives and experiences. Additional members of the University community or external experts may be invited to contribute to discussions as needed.
Building on relationships already in motion
The establishment of the OAC builds on existing relationship‑based initiatives at McGill, including Education in the Longhouse, which brought McGill academic leaders into the Mohawk community of Kahnawà:ke for a day of learning, dialogue and collaboration.
That initiative emphasized the importance of listening, presence and learning within Indigenous spaces as foundational steps in relationship‑building. Together, these efforts reflect McGill’s understanding that reconciliation is grounded in sustained engagement over time, not one‑time consultations or symbolic commitments.
Supporting long‑term accountability
The Onkwehón:we Advisory Council will meet twice a year, with additional meetings or consultations scheduled as needed. Administrative support is provided through the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, which also ensures that the Council’s recommendations and outcomes are documented and communicated.