The Office of Indigenous Affairs, formerly the Office of Aboriginal Affairs, was created in 2012 in response to the goals identified in the 2009 Presidential Task Force on Aboriginal Initiatives report “A Special Obligation”. The position of Special Advisor on Aboriginal Affairs to the President was created, and is now known as Special Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs.

A President's Advisory Committee on Indigenous Affairs was established under the authority of the Office of the President for the purpose of advising the Special Advisor on Indigenous Affairs on matters relating to academic programming, student support services, public engagement and any other matters as they relate to the mandate of the Office of Indigenous Affairs. The Committee includes representatives from the Labrador Institute, Grenfell Campus, Marine Institute and the St. John’s campus.