Capilano University welcomes first Director of Indigenous Education and Affairs

Capilano University has announced the appointment of Miranda Huron as the University’s first Director, Indigenous Education and Affairs.

Working with the Vice President Academic & Provost, Huron will provide strategic leadership for the University and direction for its First Nations Student Services.

“Miranda brings proven skills of policy development, program management and government relations to this role,” says Laureen Styles, PhD, VP Academic & Provost, Capilano University. “We are pleased to welcome Miranda as we move forward in our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.”

Over the last two years, Huron worked for the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa as Director of Language and Culture. Her team was instrumental in the federal government developing legislation on Indigenous languages that resulted in the passing of Bill C-91 Indigenous Languages Act in June 2019.

“I am very excited to be joining Capilano University,” says Huron. “I see an institution that is deeply committed to reconciliation and partnership with Indigenous Peoples.”

Huron looks forward to realizing the work she has been doing federally, in an on-the-ground context. With the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Report’s Calls to Justice, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as guideposts, together we will navigate this path to developing profound, respectful relationships.

Additionally, Huron has over 20 years of experience in post-secondary education through positions at the UBC Sauder School of Business, Emily Carr University and Algonquin College. As Manager of the Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education at the UBC Sauder School of Business, Huron advised on the inclusion of Indigenous content throughout the Sauder School curriculum, and participated in the UBC Senate and the Sauder School of Business Academic Programs Teaching and Learning Committee. She was also an instructor in Indigenous Issues for university and executive education courses.

As an Anishnaabe woman, Miranda has been a guest on Coast Salish Territories for most of her working life and has formed respectful relationships with the Peoples of the west coast. She looks forward to working closely with the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam, Lil’wat, and Sechelt (shíshálh) Peoples through this new role.

Miranda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistic Anthropology; a Master of Education in Society, Culture, and Politics of Education (UBC); and is currently a doctoral student (PhD, Education, UBC) pursuing research on indigenous education policy.