In September 2022, Arbitrator Kaplan issued a letter of understanding regarding the definition of Indigenous Knowledge for the purposes of appointment factors in the Job Classification Plans. This Award was part of the 2021-2024 academic collective agreement. The Kaplan Award specified that the definition of Indigenous Knowledge would be developed based on respectful consultation with Indigenous Elders and it directed that the parties jointly identify the Indigenous Elders who would be consulted.
OPSEU/SEFPO and the CEC are committed to ensuring that the definition of Indigenous Knowledge and its application to faculty compensation are based on consultation with Indigenous, Métis and Inuit peoples. In this respect, we agree that the identification and selection of Indigenous Elders must, itself, include consultation. To this end, the CEC and OPSEU/SEFPO have engaged Algonquin Anishnaabe Elder Claudette Commanda and Arbitrator Michelle Flaherty to co-facilitate discussions and consultation processes. Our objective is to establish a circle of Elders, whose membership and mandate are based in consultation and are consistent with the principle of “nothing about us without us.”
OPSEU/SEFPO and the CEC are committed to finding a timely, fair and culturally appropriate path forward.
In solidarity,
CAAT-A Divisional Executive