One of the most ground-breaking pieces of the establishment of the School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies is our Constitution, developed in partnership with the Innu Nation, Nunatsiavut Government, NunatuKavut Community Council, and Elders.

While the Constitution of the Academic Council of the School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies follows the structures and processes of other academic constitutions at Memorial University, it contains key characteristics that reflect the role of Memorial in Labrador. Notably, the Constitution allows for representatives from the three Indigenous governments to be active, voting members of the academic council.

This means, for the first time, Indigenous representatives outside of the University can participate, with voting privileges, on academic matters of the School, and are integral to all academic decision-making.

This type of embedded governance structure is a form of relational accountability to peoples, lands, and waters.

The Constitution also allows us to recruit faculty dedicated to supporting Northern- and Indigenous-led education and research, and who are committed to Labrador. We can also cross-appoint faculty from throughout Memorial, who have strong relationships in the region, and who will be vetted by communities.

Read the full Constitution.