Adrienne Vedan, new Senior Advisor to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor on Indigenous Affairs.
Dear colleagues,
Adrienne Vedan, a respected leader currently serving as Director of Aboriginal Programs and Services, has been appointed as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor on Indigenous Affairs, effective July 1.
I am delighted that Adrienne will help shape the future work of our university with Indigenous partners. Our campus was founded in partnership with the Syilx Okanagan Nation. For many years now, Adrienne’s leadership and passion have guided our Aboriginal programs, benefiting so many students through their university education.
Her experience, passion for education, and respectful relationships with our many partners throughout the Okanagan are vital as we continue the process of reconciliation and enhancing educational opportunities for Indigenous people.
The Senior Advisor role was created as one of UBC Okanagan’s Truth and Reconciliation commitments declared in September 2019. Ian Cull, who has served as the inaugural Senior Advisor, will retire at the end of June.
A member of the Okanagan Indian Band, born and raised in the North Okanagan, Adrienne studied at Okanagan University College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. She joined UBC Okanagan on CREATE day in September 2008 as a member of the Aboriginal Access Program staff. She was appointed Director of Aboriginal Programs and Services in 2012.
Adrienne’s oversight of Aboriginal Programs and Services continues with a half-time role as Executive Director. In her role as Senior Advisor on Indigenous Affairs, she will provide pivotal leadership on the implementation of the UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan and UBC Okanagan’s TRC commitments, as well as providing advice on cultivating and sustaining relationships with partners at all levels, including the First Nations Bands of the Okanagan, Friendship Centres, Metis and Urban Aboriginal organizations.
Among her priorities will be the development, in collaboration with the Human Resources department, of an extensive Indigenous professional competency training program for UBC Okanagan employees. This was among the priorities in UBC Okanagan’s Truth and Reconciliation commitments, and something our partners in the community highlighted as well.
Please join me in congratulating Adrienne on her appointment, and thanking Ian Cull for his many years of extraordinary service to UBC Okanagan. I wish them both the very best.
Prof. Deborah Buszard
UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Principal, UBC Okanagan
