The purpose of the Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) is to:

1. To provide advice and recommendations to the Municipality of North Grenville on Indigenous aspirations, issues, and concerns.
2. To support the Municipality in its efforts to honour and celebrate Indigenous peoples.
3. To provide advice and recommendations on how to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two Spirited People.
4. To promote and support reconciliation between Indigenous peoples, the Municipality, and the citizens of North Grenville.
5. To promote reconciliation between municipal citizens and Indigenous peoples.

The Committee shall have regard to the shared priorities of the Community Strategic Plan, Committee Handbook, and Procedural By-Law.

The Committee shall be comprised of a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of nine (9) volunteer members, the Mayor as an ex-officio member, and up to two (2) members of Council, all of whom have voting rights. A staff person(s) from Corporate Services may also attend meetings as a liaison(s) to the Municipality.  The majority of members shall be Indigenous.

In considering the appointment of members to the Committee, Council shall consider the following:

1. The majority of members of the IAC shall be Indigenous, ensuring that the perspectives and concerns of the Indigenous community are adequately represented in the committee's discussions and recommendations.
2. Council shall consider the expertise and experience of potential members in relation to the mandate of the IAC. This may include experience in Indigenous governance, community development, or other relevant fields.

The Municipality of North Grenville is committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in every aspect of its work, including appointments to advisory committees. An increase in diversity can assist in promoting equal opportunities and memberships with a diversity of lived experiences. A more diverse membership will contribute to the work of each advisory committee. Each advisory committee shall endeavour to have balanced representation from various equity- and inclusion-seeking groups including, but not limited to, people with disabilities, francophones, Indigenous people, newcomers, older adults, racialized community members, rural residents, 2SLGBTQIA+, those facing socioeconomic disadvantage, women, minority faith-based and spiritual group members, and youth.

The Committee, by a majority vote of its members, may recommend to Council to remove any member of the Committee who does not fulfil their obligations under their appointment.

Committee Chair

The Committee shall elect a Co-Chair from among its volunteer members. The position will be elected by a secret ballot by a majority of the voting members of the Committee. A Member of Council will act as a Co-Chair. 

The Co-Chairs will have a concurrent four-year term. In the absence of the Co-Chairs, the Committee shall appoint an Acting Chair.

The Co-Chairs will present the Committee's reports and recommendations to Council, as required with staff support.

Advisory Experts

The Committee may invite additional content experts to attend regular meetings and to present at specific meetings in order to meet its mandate.

Meetings

The Committee shall meet at least quarterly – either in person or via an accessible virtual platform.  Additional meetings shall be held at the call of the Co-Chairs. 

Agenda packages will be sent out the week prior to the meetings and published on the Municipality’s website. Draft minutes will be distributed by email to each Committee member by the Corporate Services department within one (1) week following the meeting.

Quorum
Quorum of the Committee shall be a majority of the appointed members.

Votes by the Committee will be held at regular or special meetings. Decision making of the group shall be by majority vote.

Department Jurisdiction

Corporate Services - The Director is responsible to ensure that all associated legislative responsibilities to the Committee are fulfilled.

Staff Contact

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Administrative Support

The Clerk delegates authority to the Corporate Services Administrative Assistant to provide minute taking. Agenda preparation and distribution will be done by the Corporate Services Administrative Assistant in conjunction with the Co-Chairs and Clerk’s division. The Clerk’s division will post the agenda on the Municipal website and via the meeting calendar invitation.

Budget

The Committee will prepare an annual work plan including budget requests ahead of the budget cycle. The Director of Corporate Services shall bring forward budget requests of the Committee as part of the Municipal budget process.

Phillip Seymour
Patti McDonald
Lorraine Rekmans