The Indigenous Student Athlete Council is the collective voice of student athletes who identify as Indigenous. The council was founded in 2023 to build a community for Indigenous Student Athletes at McMaster, increase Indigenous representation in sport, and provide a platform for student athletes to advocate on behalf of and represent the interests of all Indigenous student athletes with administration. 




The Indigenous Student Athlete Council at McMaster University is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for Indigenous student-athletes. We aim to celebrate Indigenous culture, build a community for Indigenous student-athletes to connect and share stories, promote academic and athletic success, and advocate for the unique needs and perspectives of our community. We strive to create opportunities for representation, while strengthening connections between Indigenous students, the broader university, and surrounding communities.

To create a support system for Indigenous student-athletes to connect and a platform to advocate for themselves and others with university leadership. Through our efforts, we aim to inspire future generations of Indigenous student-athletes and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable university environment.



The Indigenous Student Athlete Council operates on the following core principals: 

• Humility
• Cultural empowerment
• Honesty
• Wisdom
• Truth 
• Respect 
• Acceptance
• Representation and visibility

Key duties and responsibilities for the Indigenous Student Athlete Council include, but are not limited to:

• Act as a voice for Indigenous student-athletes, serve as a liaison between Indigenous student-athletes and university administration, ensuring open communication and collaboration
• Organize events and initiatives that celebrate Indigenous culture and histories and the accomplishments of Indigenous student-athletes 
• Strengthen ties between Indigenous student-athletes, the broader McMaster community, and surrounding Indigenous communities through outreach, collaboration, and engagement
• Work to enhance the visibility of Indigenous student-athletes at McMaster by advocating for more representation in athletics
• Work with key stakeholders across the university with a shared interest in Indigenous students’ experience at McMaster including Indigenous Student Services, Truth and Reconciliation Standing Committee, Athletics & Recreation staff, Indigenous Health Learning Lodge, and Indigenous Student Clubs
• Regularly evaluate the council’s initiatives and programs to ensure they are effectively meeting the needs of Indigenous student-athletes and contributing to their overall success.

President: Emma Robertson 
Vice President: Olivia Beausoleil
Communications Lead: Seth Cabezas
Engagement Lead: Luken Lawson


Term and Nomination Process

Executive members will be in place for 1 academic year beginning in September 2023. At the end of each academic year, there will be an opportunity for new students to self-nominate for participation on the executive. Executive positions should be filled by student-athletes who have demonstrated leadership in advocating for Indigenous student athletes. In the event the number of nominees exceeds the number of vacancies, an election will be held. In the event vacancies exist following an open call for new executive members, current members can remain in place for another academic year, up to a maximum of 3 years.   

Contact Information

Group email: isac@mcmaster.ca
Group Instagram: @mcmaster.isac