Indigenous Engagement Librarian

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Indigenous Engagement Librarian Position Posting
Application Deadline: January 31, 2026 Library
Reference # LIB-2025-26-03

Lakehead University Library, Thunder Bay Campus, invites applications for an Indigenous Engagement Librarian. The academic rank of the appointment will be commensurate with the qualifications of the successful candidate. This position will remain open until filled.

About Lakehead Library and Archives

The total library collection includes approximately 600,000 print volumes and access to over 600,000 e-books, more than 60,000 online journals, and rare and special collections such as the Regional Collection and the Archives. The Chancellor Paterson Library is the main library on the Thunder Bay campus and occupies its own building in the centre of campus. There are four additional libraries: one at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, the Learning Commons in Simcoe Hall (Orillia), and the Education Library (one location at the Faculty of Education-Thunder Bay and one at Heritage Place-Orillia).

Lakehead University Library is an active member of both provincial and national consortia. We provide many services in collaboration with our Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) partners, such as: Ask a Librarian (chat reference service), Scholars Portal, and Borealis – Lakehead University Dataverse. The library is also part of Collaborative Futures, a shared next-generation library system at 19 OCUL libraries. Our involvement with the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN) as well as other consortia, allows us to provide significant digital content. Our staff complement of over 30 includes 11 librarians and an archivist.

Nanda Gikendan Gamik is an Indigenous resource centre located on the fifth floor of the Chancellor Paterson Library. The name of the centre was kindly gifted to the library by Lakehead University’s Indigenous Elders Council in an official Naming Ceremony held in March 2024. Nanda Gikendan Gamik means: Seek to know, seek to learn place. The centre includes a very extensive collection specifically focused on Indigenous and northern issues and is designed to be respectful, welcoming, and representative of Indigenous culture. The collection in this centre is exceptionally strong in relation to Indigenous history, culture, and language, local and regional resources, and it contains

both primary and secondary resources.

About the University

Lakehead University Library’s mission is to be an innovative organization that anticipates the requirements of the future while respecting the heritage of the past. By providing exceptional services, collections, and spaces, the libraries shape the creation of knowledge, actively preserve and support culture, and transform learning and research.

Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. Our campuses are located in Thunder Bay on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and in Orillia on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, and Rama First Nation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around our campuses and is committed to a relationship with Métis and Inuit and First Nations peoples. Lakehead has approximately 10,000 students and 2,160 faculty and staff. With an emphasis on collaborative learning and independent critical thinking and a multidisciplinary teaching approach, Lakehead offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through its nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Science and Environmental Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities, Graduate Studies, and Faculty of Law. For further information, please visit: www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is the first university in Canada to introduce an Indigenous Content requirement into all undergraduate programming. All undergraduate degree programs at Lakehead University include an Indigenous Content requirement. This was approved by Lakehead University Senate in May 2014, and has been in place since the 2016/2017 academic year.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the University Librarian and working closely with First Nations, Mètis, and Inuit members of the university community, the Indigenous Engagement Librarian guides reconciliation and decolonization initiatives in the libraries and is responsible for the daily operations in Nanda Gikendan Gamik, participating in long term planning for the centre.

The Indigenous Engagement Librarian will ensure that the Library’s reconciliation and decolonization initiatives, stemming from the Strategic Plan, Academic Plan, and Library Plan, are coordinated and integrated across all libraries on both campuses. Through

this work, the Indigenous Engagement Librarian will incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and being into library spaces, systems, resources and services.

Responsibilities also include the provision of specialized, equitable, respectful, and inclusive reference and research support, information literacy instruction, and the development of Indigenous collections and other special collections housed in Nanda Gikendan Gamik. Collaboration with other librarians, university partners and external groups is integral to this role.

Indigenous Engagement Librarian Responsibilities
● Responsible for the daily operation of Nanda Gikendan Gamik including managing the physical space and technology available, and providing instruction in the use of specialized resources.

● Cultivate partnerships and actively engage with Indigenous Learning faculty, staff, and students, as well as university partners and external groups, to integrate the library’s resources into curricula and research projects.

● Develop and deliver library instructional programming and online teaching resources such as LibGuides, instruction videos and other online content to support the research needs of students and faculty.

● Provide in-depth and at times specialized reference and research support, both in person and virtually.

● Promote Nanda Gikendan Gamik and the library to university students, faculty, staff, and outside visitors. Provide orientation and tours.

● Engage in collection development and management of print and electronic resources to support the Department of Indigenous Learning, northern and regional research, and other disciplines.

● Support and respond to academic inquiries regarding Indigenous history and culture and provide assistance regarding Lakehead University’s Indigenous Content Requirement (ICR).

General Responsibilities
● Participate as a member of the Library’s Liaison Librarian team, supporting students and faculty in assigned academic disciplines.

● Contribute to the leadership of the library by participating in Librarians’ Council as well as various library and university committees.

● Commit to assessment and evidence-based decision-making related to services, collections, technology, and physical spaces.

● Contribute to research and scholarly activities, professional services, service to the university, and service to the profession and community.

● Promote library services and collections through a variety of communication channels to connect with undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and researchers.

● Participate in the provision of virtual and in-person reference services.

Qualifications
Required
● A graduate degree from an ALA-accredited school of library and information science.

● Cultural competency, such as lived experience as an Indigenous person, extensive knowledge of Indigenous culture, worldviews, protocols and values, and/or strong ties to First Nations, Mètis, or Inuit from Turtle Island.

● Knowledge and understanding of current issues in Indigenous librarianship and research, with a commitment to continued learning and growth.

● Experience developing instructional materials and conducting information literacy instruction sessions and workshops.

● Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain effective and collaborative

professional working relationships and partnerships within the library, across the university and beyond.

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

● Strong analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills.

● Flexibility and willingness to take initiative.

● Ability to work well both independently and in a team environment.

Preferred
● Preference will be given to candidates who are Indigenous (First Nations, Mètis or Inuit from Turtle Island).

● Experience with Ex Libris Alma and Primo platforms.

● Familiarity with collection development processes and practices.

● Oral or written ability in an Indigenous language is an asset, but will not be required.

Some evening and weekend work may be required.

For further information, please contact Gisella Scalese. Detailed information on the library, our services and resources are available at: https://library.lakeheadu.ca

Review of applications will begin on January 31, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The electronic application (in the form of one PDF document), quoting Reference # LIB-2025-26-03 should include: a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae and a completed Confirmation of Eligibility to Work in Canada.pdf form.

Applicants should submit their electronic application to:

Gisella Scalese
Interim University Librarian Lakehead University Library Thunder Bay, Ontario Email: applications.library@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.

Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan 2019-2024 with a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of under-represented groups among applicants, candidates and hires. We encourage candidates to self-identify, if you are from an under-represented group, and prefer candidates with the knowledge, competencies and relationships derived from lived experience. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

We appreciate your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified. Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.

This position is subject to budgetary approval.

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