About

Pjila’si, Atelihai, Tunngasugit,
Tshima minu-takushiniekᵘ,
Welcome, Bienvenue

Welcome to the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) at Memorial University. Catharyn Andersen was appointed as Memorial’s first vice-president (Indigenous) on July 1 2021. The position focuses on continuing to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and advancing Indigenization at Memorial University.

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 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. This is just the second vice-president (Indigenous) position at a Canadian university. The vice-president (Indigenous) is a five-year appointment and eligible for renewal. 

Indigenous Memorial is made up of two distinct branches: the Office of Indigenous Affairs, which operates institution-wide across all campuses and oversees the operations of the second branch, the Indigenous Student Resource Centre (ISRC) at the St. John's Campus. The ISRC exists to provide academic, cultural, and personal programming and services to all Indigenous students (status and non-status First Nations, Inuit, and Métis). The Office of Indigenous Affairs exists to guide and support the university in Indigenizing the academy and in building and maintaining positive relationships with Indigenous students, faculty, staff, organizations and communities.   


Contact Us

If you have any questions or inquiries our staff would be more than happy to assist you.
Email: vpindigenous@mun.ca
Phone: 709-864-6260