Dr. Angela James will take up the mantle as president of Aurora College starting on Aug. 1, the college’s board of governors announced on Feb. 7.
James’ contract will span five years, during which time she will “lead the college into the next phase of transformation into a polytechnic university,” according to a news release from the college.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to take on the challenge of leading Aurora College during this important period of growth and change,” said James, who earned her doctorate from Simon Fraser University with a dissertation on Indigenous education in the NWT. “I see my appointment, as an Indigenous woman, as an act of reconciliation and look forward to using my experience and education to continue to create meaningful education opportunities in the North, for the North, and with Northerners.”
James is Manitoba Métis, and shares blood with Louis Riel. She has lived in Yellowknife for many years, and married into a Dene Suline (Chipewyan) family.
She has previously worked as an Indigenous cultural camp coordinator, a teacher, a school principal and served as the GNWT’s education director.
She also spearheaded several Indigenous language programs with the University of Victoria and Aurora College, and has served as special advisor to the college’s current president, the outgoing Dr. Glenda Vardy Dell, since September. In that advisory role, James has led the development of the selection process for the new Indigenous Knowledge Holders Council, which is set to be in place by March.
In addition to her mission to drive the college’s transformation into a polytechnic university, James aims to build relationships with internal and community stakeholders to “ensure collaborative external relations,” the news release stated. It also said she will base her decisions on “research and data that understand the political, economic, social and cultural landscape of the NWT.”
“We are excited that Dr. Angela James has accepted the position as president,” said Aurora College board of governors chair Joe Handley. “She is a tireless advocate for education in the Northwest Territories and has a history of leading successful educational initiatives that improve the lives of Indigenous people and all Northerners. We look forward to her carrying on that tradition with Aurora College.”
Vardy Dell, who is retiring, assumed the role on April 1, 2022 and has worked for the college since 2019.