Indigenous Insights Advisory Committee Opportunity – Community Appointee

Indigenous Insights Advisory Committee Opportunity – Community Appointee

Become a Community Appointee

Members of the public can get involved in health regulation by becoming a Community Appointee. Currently we are recruiting new appointees to join the Indigenous Insights Advisory Committee at the College.  

Community Appointees at the College are members of the public who serve on our Committees and are neither a Director nor a registrant. They are engaged community members who make valuable contributions and help regulate occupational therapy in Ontario. 

The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO)’s work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across the province we now call Ontario. COTO’s office, located in what is now known as Toronto, is situated on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. It is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13, which was signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

We honour and acknowledge the First Nations, Inuit and Métis, as the original stewards of the land. We remind ourselves of our responsibility to be accountable for our actions towards connecting with and creating more equitable, inclusive and respectful relationships with everyone who lives here.

About the Committee

The Indigenous Insights Advisory Committee at the College explores, discusses, and provides recommendations on current occupational therapy practice issues relevant to Indigenous Peoples.

The Committee is responsible for the following activities:  

  • Conducting environmental scan on occupational therapy practices 
  • Identifying current practice issues impacting Indigenous peoples for consideration and possible action by the Executive Committee.  
  • Advising other committees on matters related to occupational therapy practice & Indigenous people.
  • Recommending action on specific practice issues related to Indigenous people.  
  • Developing, reviewing, and revising College resources related to practice and Indigenous peoples as the Board directs.  
  • Recommending action on specific patient/client relations issues connected with Indigenous people.  

For more information, please see the terms of reference for the Indigenous Insights Advisory Committee. 

Meetings are generally held virtually during business hours (8:30am-4:30pm).

Community Appointees are compensated and have their expenses reimbursed as per the College’s Honoraria policy.

Skills and Experience

The College is seeking applications from individuals with a broad range of skills, perspectives and expertise as outlined in the College’s Committee Competency Framework. 

Applicants will be invited to self-identify and describe relevant experience. Qualifications and attributes considered may include: 

  • Self-identification as Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, Inuit). 
  • Strong connection to, and understanding of, Indigenous communities, cultures, and traditions. 
  • Community leadership, advisory, or governance experience.
  • Knowledge of Indigenous health, rights, reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action. 

We are particularly interested in individuals who possess specific skills and experiences as outlined below: 

Lived Healthcare Experience

  • Significant personal experience or experience caring for someone with health challenges or maneuvering through the healthcare system

Systems Perspective 

  • Knowledge of the healthcare system, as well as practice and industry specific understanding. For example, models of care, practice overlap, including diverse experience with, for example, other health professions, healthcare employers and various practice roles. 

Writing/Editing 

  • Experience in professional and academic writing and editing. 

Eligibility Requirements

The following eligibility requirements for Community Appointees are taken from the College Bylaws. 

12.02.01 – Community Appointees

An individual is eligible for appointment to a committee of the College as a Community Appointee or, subject to Bylaw 12.04.2 is eligible for re-appointment if, on the date of the appointment or re-appointment they meet the requirements of clauses (c) through (o) of Bylaw 5.03.1 and:  

  1. they reside in Ontario; and  
  2.  they have never been a registrant;  
  3.  they have no direct or indirect ownership interest in an occupational therapy clinic or practice; and  
  4.  they have completed the College orientation program. 

Commitments and Compensation 

  • All appointments are for a three-year period commencing in June 2026.
  • Meetings are generally held during business hours virtually. 
    • Number of meetings per year: 3–4
    • Preparation time per meeting: 1–3 hours
  • Community appointees are paid a pro-rated per diem of $250 based on a full-day meetings and some preparation time. 

For more information, see the College’s Honoraria policy.

How to apply

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, May 26 2026

Applications will be reviewed by the College’s Nominations Committee and successful candidates will be contacted in June 2026.

If you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact Stamatis Kefalianos, Director Regulatory Affairs at skefalianos@coto.org.