Cathryn Andersen of Nunatsiavut has been appointed as Memorial’s first vice-president (Indigenous).
The position focuses on continuing to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and advancing Indigenization.
Ms. Andersen has served as special advisor to the president on Indigenous affairs since 2015 and led the creation of the first Strategic Framework for Indigenization.
The Board of Regents approved the framework, which was developed through extensive Indigenous community collaboration, in March 2021.
The first strategic priority of the framework called for strengthening Indigenous leadership within Memorial University.
In response, the position of special advisor to the president on Indigenous affairs was converted to vice-president (Indigenous) and approved by the Board of Regents in May 2021.