Personnel

B.2.5 Elders

Approved/revised: December 2, 2011

POLICY

The NVIT Elders’ Council is an integral part of the institution. The NVIT Elders’ Council will guide, support and lend leadership to students, employees and the NVIT Board of Governors.

The NVIT Elders’ Council will support the NVIT community through the teachings of respect, discipline, leadership and good medicine.

A.  Terms of Reference

1. General Purpose & Mandate

The NVIT Elders’ Council is a council of Elders that provide support and advice to all areas of the institution, including but not limited to, students, employees, and the Board of Governors. Working within NVIT policies and guidelines, the Council’s primary role is support for students, and to provide advice and support for NVIT’s mandate of Aboriginal education. Elders are not Union employees, nor are they management. The NVIT Elders’ Council is unique in that their role is that of Aboriginal Elders who ensure the values, culture and family concepts of NVIT. 

2. Key Duties & Responsibilities

The NVIT Elders’ Council motto is “Ambassador, Grandparent, and Teacher of Good Medicine”.  The Council takes this very seriously and will conduct themselves in a manner that supports their motto. The key responsibilities of the NVIT Elders’ Council members are to:

-          Provide guidance and support for students

-          Provide guidance with Aboriginal Protocol and enact Protocol when required

-          Provide guidance and support for employees

-          Provide guidance and support for the NVIT Board of Governors

-          Be committed to student success and be apolitical locally and provincially

-          Provide cultural guidance throughout the institute

-          Promote and support the preservation and use of local indigenous languages

-          Participate in the instruction of classes when requested by the instructor

-          Assist the institute in staying connected to its Aboriginal roots

-          Provide cultural and spiritual assistance as requested

-          Assist the institute in maintaining an ethical foundation

-          Participate in NVIT events (Student Orientation, graduation, etc…); and

-          Support the institute to meet its mission, vision and values

3. Participation at Board Meetings

At the request of the President’s office, up to two members of the NVIT Elders’ Council may be requested to attend the NVIT Board meetings. The Elders role is to provide the Board with support and guidance, and to provide an Elders’ Council report. Only those Elders who are requested to attend will be paid an honorarium. 

4. Appointments

The Council will have a minimum of eight and a maximum of fourteen members at its Merritt campus. Each of NVIT’s five founding First Nations communities (Lower Nicola, Upper Nicola, Coldwater, Nooaitch, Shackan), shall have at least one representative on the council. Other members of the council may be drawn from other First Nations from British Columbia, the Metis Nation of British Columbia, through the Friendship Centre, or by recommendation of the existing Elders’ Council. Nominations must be approved by the NVIT Board of Governors and the existing NVIT Elders’ Council.

The Elders’ Council at the Vancouver campus shall have a minimum of four and maximum of seven members. Nominations to the NVIT Vancouver Elders’ Council will come from the local First Nations surrounding Burnaby, from other First Nations across British Columbia, from the Metis Nation of British Columbia, from the Friendship Centre, from the Urban Aboriginal organizations or from the existing NVIT Elders’ Council. Nominations must be approved by the NVIT Board of Governors, and by the existing NVIT Elders’ Council.

5. Qualifications

Individuals nominated to the NVIT Elders’ Council must meet the following qualifications:

-          Be recognized as an Elder in the Aboriginal community

-          Live a clean and healthy lifestyle

-          Be active and in good health

-          Be a good role model

-          Be involved in their community

-          Be a good listener, a good communicator, and be empathetic

-          Be able to work collaboratively with NVIT and the existing Elders’ Council

6. Removal of an Elder

Upon recommendation of the majority of the NVIT Elders’ Council, or upon recommendation of the President, the NVIT Board of Governors may remove an individual from the Elders’ Council.

7. Meetings

Normally, the two NVIT Elders’ Councils will hold joint meetings three to four times per year. NVIT will appoint an Elders Council liaison who will assist the council in organizing meetings, providing a schedule, monitoring their budget, and taking notes during their meetings. The liaison will also act as the point of contact for individuals wishing to book the services of the Elders Council. The Vice President and President may attend all Elders’ Council meetings unless specifically requested not to attend.

8.  Compensation and Scheduling

The NVIT Elders’ council is provided a budget each year to pay for meetings, travel and honorarium.  Members of the Elders Council receive an hourly honorarium. The NVIT Elders’ Council normally provides Elders services from September to May each year, but may be requested to attend during the summer depending on summer enrolment or activities. Where a member of the Elder’s council participates in a student field trip or a prolonged meeting, the maximum number of hours per day that an honorarium will be paid is seven. A schedule for each campus will be created by the Elders’ Liaison in cooperation with the Elders’ Council. The NVIT Elders’ Council must schedule their meetings and travel to ensure they stay within their annual budget.