I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Cull as the first Senior Advisor to the DVC and Principal on Indigenous Affairs, effective January 1, 2020, for up to a one-year term. Ian is Anishinaabe, a member of Dokis Indian Band located on the Dokis Indian Reserve in Ontario, Canada.
Our campus has the unique distinction of being founded in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation. Ian has served as Associate Vice-President Students since UBC Okanagan opened in 2005, and has been instrumental in building outstanding partnerships and programs to support Indigenous culture, history, language, philosophy and knowledge on campus over the past 14 years.
As the Senior Advisor to the DVC, Ian will play a pivotal role in building consistent, open channels of communication with faculty, staff and students, Indigenous communities, senior leadership, and those involved in Indigenous programming and initiatives.
In September our community gathered to witness UBC Okanagan’s declaration of Truth and Reconciliation commitments. The Senior Advisor will challenge and inspire us to meet even higher aspirations related to Indigenous affairs.
Special thanks to Director of Student Development Michelle Lowton, who has kindly agreed to serve as Interim AVP Students while the search for a new Associate Vice-President is underway.
I look forward to working with Ian and Michelle in their new roles.
Sincerely,
Prof. Deborah Buszard
UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Principal, UBC Okanagan