National Indigenous University Senior Leaders’ Association (NIUSLA)

National Indigenous University Senior Leaders’ Association

The National Indigenous University Senior Leaders’ Association (NIUSLA) exists to unite Indigenous senior university leaders from across Canada, supporting the advancement of Indigenous priorities and leadership within higher education.

Purpose

The purpose of the National Indigenous University Senior Leaders’ Association (NIUSLA) is to bring together Indigenous senior administrative leaders from academic institutions, who have a University or Faculty/College/School-wide mandate, to network and to engage in constructive dialogue and actions that pertain to the roles and responsibilities of leadership within the academic university context.

Terms of Reference

Events

• National Indigenous Identity Forum 2022
• 2nd National Indigenous Citizenship Forum 2023: Moving Beyond Indigenous Self-identification at Canadian Post-secondaries
• NEW: NIUSLA SUMMIT 2025 – May 12 & 13, 2025, Regina, SK.

Reports

• 2022 What Was Heard Report: Indigenous Voices on Indigenous Identity
• 2023 Report Moving Beyond Indigenous Self-Identification at Canadian Post-Secondaries: Summary Report

NIUSLA Members

NIUSLA members can request and share experiences and information, provide recommendations, and identify areas of success and need within post-secondary institutions. 

We are an unincorporated association governed by an Executive Committee.

Co-Chairs

• Dr. Christy Bressette – Western University
• Ms. Denise Baxter – Lakehead University (interim)
• Lori Campbell – University of Regina (deferred)

Executive

• Executive Member – Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann – First Nations University of Canada
• Executive Member – Dr. Shauneen Pete – Royal Roads University

Meet NIUSLA’s Current Membership

Resources