Indigenous Education Council

Community Representation

Mark Solomon

IEC Co-Chair
Associate Vice President, Reconciliation & Inclusion, Seneca Polytechnic

Samantha Curnow

IEC Co-Chair
Rama First Nation Representative (Alumni)

Patti Big Canoe

Education Operations Lead, Georgina Island

Christine Blake

Polytechnic Representative
Associate Vice President, Students, Seneca Polytechnic

Roxanne Kropf-Salami

Indigenous Community Representative
Seneca Polytechnic Alum

Gary Pritchard

GNIW (Golden Eagle) Founder, 4 Directions Conservation

Monica Rutledge

Police Officer, Toronto Police Services
Seneca Polytechnic Alum

Amelia Williams

Senior Consultant, Pathways Executive Search

Lisa Zwicker

Principal, Toronto District School Board

Seneca Polytechnic Employees

Leigh Simpson-Ahwanaquot

Manager, Reconciliation and Indigenous Services, Seneca Polytechnic

Eric Zwicker

Professor, Seneca Polytechnic

Blu Waters

Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator, Seneca Polytechnic

Karen White

Counsellor, Seneca Polytechnic

Indigenous Education Protocol for Colleges and Institutes

The signatory institutions to this protocol recognize and affirm their responsibility and obligation to Indigenous Education.

Colleges and institutes respect and recognize that Indigenous people include First Nation, Metis and Inuit people, having distinct cultures, languages, histories and contemporary perspectives.

Indigenous education emanates from the intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Indigenous education will strengthen colleges' and institutes' contribution to improve the lives of learners and communities.

The signatory institution agrees to:

  1. Commit to making Indigenous education a priority.
  2. Ensure governance structures recognize and respect Indigenous peoples.
  3. Implement intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples through curriculum and learning approaches relevant to learners and communities.
  4. Support students and employees to increase understanding and reciprocity among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
  5. Commit to increasing the number of Indigenous employees with ongoing appointments, throughout the institution, including Indigenous senior administrators.
  6. Establish Indigenous-centered holistic services and learning environments for learner success.
  7. Build relationships and be accountable to Indigenous communities in support of self-determination through education, training and applied research.
Indigenous Education Council

Looking for more information?

View our Reconciliation & Inclusion Plan and the agenda and meeting minutes from our last meeting. Our strategic plan and terms of reference will also be available in Fall 2025.

Contact Us

Indigenous Counsellor

Karen White 416.764.0337 karen.white@senecapolytechnic.ca

Connect with us on Social Media

Location & Hours

Room E1401, Newnham Campus
1750 Finch Ave East
Toronto, Canada

Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

We offer extended office hours during the fall and winter terms.

Note: Our staff have a “visiting campus” schedule. Please email Karen White for details and an updated schedule.