Assistant Professor in Indigenous Studies

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Assistant Professor in Indigenous Studies

Anticipated start date: July 1, 2025 (or as negotiated)

The Indigenous Studies program in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Victoria is seeking applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) to commence July 1, 2025 (or as negotiated). In accordance with the University’s Equity Plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, the selection will be limited to Indigenous peoples. Candidates must identify as being Indigenous in their cover letter to be considered for this position. Applicants are required to provide information to verify their Indigenous identity and will be expected to elaborate on the written information if invited to an interview. Lived experience within Indigenous nations and communities is foundational to the knowledge of and research within the field of Indigenous Studies, locally, nationally and internationally. We seek a colleague with existing relationships with local First Nations and/or a strong commitment to building them. Additionally, this hire prioritizes but is not limited to Indigenous candidates holding a recent UVic graduate degree.

The Indigenous Studies Program acknowledges with respect the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples on whose traditional territories the University of Victoria stands. Centered on Indigenous knowledges and pedagogies, the Indigenous Studies Program invites both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to explore the social, political, cultural and historical contexts that have shaped—and continue to shape—the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada and across the world.

The successful applicant for this position will help build on the existing strengths of the Indigenous Studies undergraduate major through teaching, mentoring students, and helping develop new courses that serve the larger university and local First Nations. We are looking for a candidate whose research and teaching can add to our course offerings in at least one of the following four areas: Place-based/land-based education, Indigenous rights and title, Indigenous feminisms, and/or Indigenous climate action and sustainabilities, and who is willing and able to teach IS 201, a core prerequisite course for the major and minor that highlights Canada’s historical and ongoing actions regarding Indigenous nations and peoples.

Requirements
The Indigenous Studies Program seeks candidates who have:
• A PhD with significant expertise in Indigenous Studies by the time of the appointment. Priority will be given to graduates from a University of Victoria PhD program;
• An MA with demonstrated expertise in Indigenous Studies may be considered if their qualifications are equivalent to PhD candidates. If such candidates are considered, priority will be given to candidates with an MA from the University of Victoria;
• An interest in and commitment to undergraduate level teaching and mentorship;
• A demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous pedagogies and methodologies;
• A proven track record of successful collaboration with Indigenous nations and communities;
• A demonstrated commitment to collegiality and collaborative, community-engaged scholarship and teaching;
• A willingness and ability to contribute to future Indigenous Studies program development.

In addition, the following qualifications are a strong asset:
• Established collaborative relationships with W̱SÁNEĆ and/or Lekwungen peoples;
• Knowledge of local and coastal First Nations’ cultures, languages, protocols and histories.
Please include the following in your application package:
• A letter (up to two pages) outlining your interest in the position, your pedagogical approaches, and the unique contribution you would bring to the program;
• A current curriculum vitae;
• A teaching dossier including at least one, and no more than four, sample course syllabi you have developed and an expanded pedagogical statement;
• A statement (up to two pages) about your knowledge, experience and skills working with diversity (see the UVIC equity statement below);
• Up to two writing samples (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, book chapter, etc.).
• Letters from three referees, preferably two from academics and one from an Indigenous leader/elder/knowledge-holder.

Faculty and Librarians at the University of Victoria are governed by the provisions of the Collective Agreement. Members are represented by the University of Victoria Faculty Association.

The candidate’s qualifications, experience and overall market demand will determine a candidate’s final salary offer. The salary for this position includes a competitive salary range of $116,000 – $143,000. UVic is committed to offering an equitable and competitive salary, inclusive of a generous benefits package, eligible leaves and pension plan.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; if you are neither a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, please indicate if you are authorized to work in Canada and be prepared to provide a copy of your permit authorizing same.

Please note that reference and background checks, including credential and degree verification, may be undertaken as part of this recruitment process.

Contact information
Please email applications in PDF form to:

Ruth Parrish
Administrative assistant, Indigenous Studies Program
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2
Canada

[email protected]

Application deadline
Review of applications will begin on February 26, 2025 and the position will remain open until filled.

Equity statement
UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups, and in particular we are seeking for this Limited Hire Indigenous candidates.
Read our full equity statement.

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact Faculty Relations and Academic Administration in the Office of the VP Academic and Provost at [email protected]. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record.

About UVic
The University of Victoria is committed to the ongoing work of decolonizing and Indigenizing the campus community both inside and outside the classroom. UVic released their second Indigenous Plan in 2023 which is guiding the important work ahead. Decolonization and Indigenization are also integral aspects of the 2023 UVic Strategic Plan.

UVic has a vibrant Indigenous community with over 1,400 Indigenous students as of 2023 and over 70 Indigenous faculty. In 2022, Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Dr. Robina Thomas was appointed as the first Vice President Indigenous, and she is leading the work on realizing the goals of the Indigenous Plan at UVic. In the same year, Marion Buller, renowned legal scholar and the first First Nations woman to be appointed as a judge in British Columbia, is serving as the Chancellor of the University of Victoria. In 2022, UVic was ranked #1 in Canada for promoting Indigenous visibility (Maclean’s 2022). Indigenous Studies has six full-time Indigenous faculty tenure-track faculty members in our department.

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