Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network and the Aboriginal
HIV & AIDS Community Based Research Centre’s
Collaborative Centre
National Aboriginal Research Advisory Committee
(NARAC)
Terms of Reference
Background:
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The purpose of the Aboriginal HIV &AIDS Community-Based Research Collaborative Centre’s
(the AHA Centre) National Aboriginal Research Advisory Committee (NARAC) is to produce
community-based research on HIV and AIDS and co-morbidities that is ethically and
methodologically-sound, culturally-appropriate, respectful, and relevant.
Mandate:
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To provide leadership, advice, support, vision and direction in all areas of research within
CAAN and the AHA Centre, drawing from past and continued involvement in the Aboriginal
and/or the Community-based Research community, for all of CAAN’s and the AHA Centre’s
research initiatives.
Directly Accountable to:
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Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) Peoples affected/infected by HIV and AIDS
(APHAs);
CAAN, its partners & members;
Canadian Aboriginal HIV and AIDS Communities and Researchers.
Decision Making
 All decisions made by NARAC will be made by consensus.
 When a decision is required by a specified deadline, consensus will be reached with the
sitting members of NARAC at a meeting. Sitting members are those in attendance during
a given discussion. When there is flexibility with deadlines, email will be used prior to
finalization, giving all members of NARAC an opportunity for comment.
 Should it be impossible for NARAC to agree upon a final decision, a vote will be used
with the decision carried by 50% + 1.
 Operations Team members and Co-Chairs are ex-officio during consensus vote.
 Elders will decide whether they wish to participate in voting activities or not. They will
provide direction and guidance in decision making activities.
 Elders are given the freedom to provide guidance anytime they feel that it is necessary
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throughout NARAC meetings.
Proxy for decision making will be accepted by the NARAC member through email to the
Co-Chairs.
All final decisions will be communicated via e-mail land clearly identified as a record of
decision.
Reporting Methods:
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Minutes of all proceedings to be filed within two weeks following a NARAC meeting at the
AHA Centre’s Nova Scotia office, and made available, upon committee approval, to the
general public in both official languages.
NARAC meeting minutes will be sent to the Governing Council prior to Governing Council
meetings for their records and consideration.
Composition:
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The membership of NARAC will include representation from the following groups: APHAs,
Elders, Aboriginal HIV and AIDS and/or Research Community, Academics, Youth, and CAAN
Board of Directors.
APHAs will attend the CAAN APHA Caucus.
Total membership of the NARAC will not exceed 10 members, excluding AHA Centre staff.
NARAC membership will respect GIPA, MIPA and MEPA principles and will demographically
reflect cultural diversity, gender, and regional balance. The following list of skills, attributes,
abilities, knowledge and experience will be considered during membership selection:
 Expertise and lived experience in HIV & AIDS, Hep C, STBBI, Mental Health, Aging and
related co-morbidities prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support issues;
research ethics/law/human rights issues; and knowledge and/or front–line experiences
with Aboriginal Peoples related to health.
 Understanding of and adherence to the policies for research laid out in the Tri-Council
Policy Statement (TCPS2), with a particular focus on Chapter 9: Research Involving The
First Nations, Inuit and Métis People of Canada.
 Professional/technical expertise related specifically to sexual health; Indigenous,
decolonizing and community-based research fields;
 Knowledge and respect for the diversity of Aboriginal populations and the historical
context of policy in Canada;
 Commitment to collaboration and cooperation; and ability to actively participate in
discussions and effectively communicate ideas;
 Belief that respect is a cornerstone of all discussions.
Commitment:
National Research Advisory Committee Terms of Reference – May 2013
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All members of the National Aboriginal Research Advisory Committee will participate in the
committee for two years.
Time commitments include one (1) face to face meeting per fiscal year and up to four (4)
teleconferences per year. Time for review of documents and related materials will also be
required.
Replacements to NARAC will be appointed by the AHA Centre Operations Team as needed.
Agreeing to participate on NARAC means that each individual will attend the scheduled
meetings.
Communication:
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The National Aboriginal Research Advisory Committee will communicate by telephone and
e-mail as necessary. Members agree to make their e-mail addresses known to all members
of the Committee and to provide the Governing Council with up-to-date contact
information.
The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, the AHA Centre’s Operations Team will distribute all
electronic documents in Adobe PDF format. Hard copies will be made available upon
request to the AHA Centre’s Operations Team.
The AHA Centre’s Operations Team will provide background material and meeting agendas
one week prior to all meetings.
NARAC Resources
NARAC is supported with administrative and appropriate technical resources primarily through
the AHA Centre Community-based Research Managers (East and West) with support from the
CAAN Executive Research Assistant.
Standing Agenda
The order of business at all meetings of the GC shall be determined by the Chairperson(s) prior
to the meeting, subject to change with additions by members of the GC.
The meetings will commence with organizational business conducted in a discussion format.
The general order of business will be as follows:
 Opening Prayer
 Call to order
 Regrets
 Opening remarks of the Chairperson(s), articulating the agenda for the meeting
 Introductions (if necessary)
 Review and approval of previous Meeting Record
 Business arising from the minutes
 Report of Chairperson(s)/Members
 Report back from standing committee’s
National Research Advisory Committee Terms of Reference – May 2013
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Business (list)
o
xxxx
o
xxxx
 Action Agreements
 Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
 Closing Prayer
Adjournment
The Community Based Research Managers:
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Will Chair and organize the meetings.
Will provide a standing agenda as well as any other additional information to the committee
a week prior to the scheduled meeting.
Will take minutes and keep accurate records of each meeting.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict is sure to arise when diverse groups come together to address a common goal. In
recognition of that, the NARAC shall develop culturally appropriate dispute resolution
mechanisms, including but not limited to the use of Elders, Talking Circles, and other Aboriginal
traditional ceremonial practices. NARAC is also open to engaging with diverse means of dispute
resolution and mediation.
CAAN Organizational Code of Ethics
In order to be a member of good standing of the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Networking Inc. an
individual member group must subscribe to the following principles:
A.
It must be a community directed organization, define itself as a member group if the
Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network Inc. and have aims and objectives of the network;
B. It must first and foremost show respect and honour for all Aboriginal beliefs and
customs and must act with pride and dignity that Aboriginal heritage demands;
C. It must be committed to information sharing, referrals and social activities. Cultural
reinforcement, community development/capacity building and similar activities which
ensure that Aboriginal people will be afforded no matter the cost to a better quality
of health, life and wellness through Aboriginal ownership, access and control;
D. It must support unity amongst Aboriginal people without regard to legal distinctions
which may be drawn between Status and Non-Status individuals or amongst Metis,
Indian, or Inuit People;
E. It must support and work towards achieving the stated aims and objectives of the
Network;
F. It must be tolerant of diversity, forthright in expressing its views on particular issues
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and respectful of the opinions of other CAAN member group organizations and
Aboriginal group;
G. It must agree to bring grievances, comments, or complaints relating to the Network
to the attention of the Board of Directors of the Network (similarly the network will
bring any grievance, comment, or complaint the Network may have with respect to a
particular CAAN member group organization to the attention of the Board of
Directors of the CAAN member group organization);
H. It must endeavour to work in a cooperative manner with other CAAN member group
organizations to solve problems of mutual concern;
I. It must endeavour to work in a cooperative manner with other groups and
organizations, be they Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal, in order to develop a humane
society of equal opportunity for all people and respect for all living things; and,
J. Its members must honour and respect the commitments of the CAAN member group
organization to the Network.
National Research Advisory Committee Terms of Reference – May 2013
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