The Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health (WBIIH), based at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH) of the University of Toronto (U of T), invites nominations for its Community Advisory Council (CAC). Participation on the CAC is voluntary. The WBIIH CAC is open for nominations (including self-nominations) from across Canada and abroad.
Nomination packages for the WBIIH CAC should include:
- A letter indicating reasons why this nomination is important to the nominee, including information on the nominee’s performance record related to advancing Indigenous health and wellbeing.
- The nominee’s willingness to accept the nomination.
- The nominee’s ability to commit to a three-year voluntary term.
- The nominee’s availability to attend a September 15-16, 2015 CAC meeting in Toronto (Note: On September 15th, the commitment will only be for a dinner meeting beginning at 6 p.m.).
Please submit a brief 1-2 page nominations to Dr. Jeff Reading, Interim Director of the WBIIH, at jeff.reading@utoronto.ca by Friday, September 4, 2015. Accepted nominees will be notified by September 9, 2015.
CAC Selection Process
The founding CAC will be by invitation from among those nominations received by September 4, 2015. The CAC will consist of approximately 10 members who will commit to a voluntary three-year term appointment with the possibility of renewal for a second three-year term. It will be comprised of no fewer than 80% Indigenous people and include two Elders/ knowledge keepers, and two Indigenous youth under the age of 30.
CAC Overview
The role of the CAC will be to work closely with the Director and the DLSPH Dean to develop consensus around a strategic plan for the WBIIH, or “the Institute”. This Council will meet a minimum of two times each year with the WBIIH Director to discuss the Institute’s strategic plan and quality and performance metrics. The Interim Director, CAC members, DLSPH Dean and the U of T Provost will develop terms of reference for the CAC, including specifying decision-making policies, reporting structure, and conflict resolution procedures.
WBIIH Background
In 2014, out of concern for the growing discrepancy in disease burden and health outcomes between Aboriginal and Settler Canadians, the Michael and Amira Dan family made a $10M gift to the U of T to create the first privately-endowed institute for Indigenous health research in the world. The Institute is dedicated to improving the health of Indigenous peoples. Dr. Michael Dan is a former neurosurgeon and one of Ontario’s most generous philanthropists.
The Institute will conduct world class research and offer academic training in the development and evaluation of interventions that address Indigenous health inequities and contribute to thriving Indigenous communities, in Canada and internationally. The Institute will support faculty and trainees, and provide seed funding to support Indigenous-led projects. This work will be founded on respectful and sustainable partnerships between Indigenous communities and the U of T. The Institute will strive for innovation and relevance in Indigenous health policy and practice, while at the same time supporting Indigenous self-determination.
