Sheridan welcomes two Indigenous Engagement and Education Associate Vice Presidents

Sheridan is proud to announce the appointment of Amy Reader as Associate Vice President, Indigenous Engagement and Education Internal, and Audrey Rochette as Associate Vice President, Indigenous Engagement and Education External. 

Under their joint leadership in the Office of Inclusive Communities, Reader – with an internal institutional capacity-building focus – and Rochette – with an external community and fundraising focus – will bolster Sheridan’s commitment to continuing the work of truth and reconciliation within our sphere of influence. 

Amy Reader is an Anishnaabe-kwe from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, a mother of two, daughter, sister, auntie, cousin and friend. She has worked in Indigenous education for 19 years, with most of her career in Indigenous postsecondary education. At Mohawk College, she held numerous positions in Indigenous Initiatives, Education and Student Services, and served as part-time faculty in the Continuing Education department. She spent the last year at OCAD University as the Oshkaabewis, Executive Director of Indigenous Engagement. Reader strives to use the knowledge from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, mentors and ancestors to share the rich culture and history in Indigenous education. 

Reader has worked to drive direction and provide support to lead change in the postsecondary environment towards the inclusion of Indigenous voices. As a natural collaborator and advocate for community engagement, she builds successful partnerships with community organizations, Indigenous institutions and partnering postsecondary institutions to deliver dynamic services and programs to Indigenous learners.  

With her academic background and teaching qualifications, Reader has supported the design of Indigenous courses, programs and curricula, and the creation of arts and cultural spaces in institutions and the community. She has been part of several teams to develop policy, services, programs, courses and multi-year plans to motivate and provide leadership in building relationships between settler allies and Indigenous communities to work towards reconciliation in Canada.  

Reader holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and Art History (Honours), with a minor in Theatre and Film, from McMaster University, a Bachelor of Education from Brock University and a Master of Education specializing in Indigenous Education from Queen’s University. 

“I am honoured to be serving my community in this role and to be part of a leadership team within an institution that supports and commits to reconciliation in a good way. To be able to use my gifts as an artist and a helper to create pathways that will form learners and reform the institution is, in short, a lifelong dream. I look forward to developing meaningful relationships and contributing to the vibrant Sheridan community in the efforts to increase Indigenous ways of knowing and doing. I also want to recognize and say Miigwech to the strong Indigenous representation and leadership from the Indigenous Education Council, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and team members who have served Indigenous learners, community members and partners in the past and the present. They have paved the way for the good work that is to come." 

Audrey Rochette is Anishinaabe from Waabadowgang-Whitesand First Nation. In her previous role as Director, Indigenous Initiatives, she led George Brown College’s efforts to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action and oversaw Indigenization measures as part of the college’s Vision 2030/Strategy 2022 initiative. In 2019 and 2020, she worked with the college to develop recommendations and a reconciliation framework in response to the TRC Calls to Action, as well as frameworks for anti-racism initiatives. 

Prior to her role at George Brown, Rochette worked with the City of Toronto as a Business Analyst where she provided critical evaluations to inform programming and measure success and secured Indigenous partnerships to advance the city’s commitment to reconciliation.  

Rochette's passion for Indigenous relations was cultivated through her roles in the Indigenous community as the Senior Development Officer with Indspire, an Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people, and with imagineNATIVE, the largest Indigenous film festival in the world. She currently sits on several committees in different sectors committed to reconciliation work. She is the daughter of a residential school survivor. 

Rochette holds of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science, Aboriginal Studies and Religion, and a Master of Arts with research focused on decolonizing museums, as well as Indigenous voices, language and ceremonies in museums, both from the University of Toronto. 

“I come to this role with my heart and soul. My door will always be open, my time will be yours. I have worked with some amazing people throughout my career and I bring fragments of their stories, their wisdom and their experiences with me to share with you,” Rochette says. “My family centres me and we are deeply committed to reconciliation. This is a lifelong journey. The Seven Grandfather Teachings guide me and while I’m still learning, I am a resource for this thriving community. Indigenous engagement and education will soar through our collective efforts. I knew I was home when I reflect on the kindness, curiosity and passion that emanated through the people and culture at Sheridan.” 

“I am pleased to welcome Amy Reader and Audrey Rochette to Sheridan’s leadership team to strengthen our work of centring Indigenous needs, voices, practices and protocols,” said Dr. Janet Morrison, President and Vice Chancellor. “At the heart of their work is our collective responsibility to advance truth and reconciliation in meaningful and authentic ways as we focus on our priority areas of leadership, land, reciprocity and relationships.” 

“The appointments of Amy Reader and Audrey Rochette mark a significant milestone in Sheridan’s commitment to Indigenous engagement and education,” said Dr. Jane Ngobia, Vice President, Inclusive Communities. “Their strong leadership and extensive experience will enable the Sheridan community to fully live out our Indigenous Engagement and Education Plan, as we build deeper relationships with Indigenous communities and advance educational opportunities.” 

Reader and Rochette will begin their roles as Associate Vice Presidents of Indigenous Engagement and Education on July 22, 2024. 

Discover Sheridan’s Indigenous Engagement and Education Plan. 

Pictured above are Amy Reader and Audrey Rochette.