Native Studies Faculty – Two Tenure Track Roles

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Brandon University invites applications from Indigenous scholars for two tenure‑track positions in the Department of Native Studies. These roles represent an important moment in the growth and renewal of the department as we expand Indigenous‑led teaching, curriculum, and community engagement across campus.

The Organization

Brandon University has campuses on Treaty 1 and Treaty 2 lands, and we are a gathering place for people from many backgrounds and around the world. In this way, we carry on the Indigenous customs of our home in Brandon. We acknowledge Brandon is on shared territory between the Dakota Oyate, the Anishinaabeg, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. Today, many other Indigenous people call Brandon their home, including the Ininew, Anisininewuk, Denesuline, and Inuit. As a leading university in rural Manitoba, BU offers a personalized and supportive environment for its diverse community of students and faculty.

With a thriving campus of over 3,500 students and an emphasis on smaller class sizes, BU excels in creating meaningful learning experiences, innovative research, and community impact. Its academic programs span Arts, Science, Education, Health Studies, and the renowned School of Music. The University is also embarking on ambitious initiatives, including exploring the establishment of a medical school and expanding its graduate programs.

For over 50 years, Native Studies at BU has been a place where students engage deeply with Indigenous knowledge systems, community‑based learning, and the histories and contemporary realities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. One of the oldest Native Studies programs in Canada, the Department is also home to the Canadian Journal of Native Studies, a highly recognized peer-reviewed journal that publishes original research.

The Roles

Native Studies is a small, high‑engagement department that is strongly student‑focused and rooted in relationship‑building. Faculty roles here call for individuals who are energized by working in a close community, who value collaboration, and who are committed to supporting Indigenous students in holistic ways. The department welcomes applicants with breadth as well as distinctive areas of specialization. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, Indigenous environmental issues, Indigenous feminism, Métis history and politics, Indigenous health, justice, land‑based learning, language on the land, contemporary Indigenous governance, and creative or land‑based practice. Curriculum renewal is under way, and there is significant opportunity to design new courses and influence the future structure and growth of the discipline.

This is a pivotal time for the Department of Native Studies, and we are seeking candidates with strong teaching ability, knowledge of Indigenous‑rooted pedagogy, commitment to community engagement, and faculty members who crave the connectedness and relationships that are a hallmark of Brandon University’s context.

Key areas of responsibility are intertwined within the Department, but include:

Teaching and Student Support: Teaching across the undergraduate program and create learning experiences that reflect Indigenous worldviews, community priorities, and contemporary issues. Supporting students through relational, culturally grounded approaches that recognize their diverse needs and help them thrive academically and personally.

Research and Scholarship: Advance Indigenous‑centered research and knowledge creation that enriches teaching, strengthens the discipline, and contributes to community priorities. This could include action or community-based research with Brandon partners.

Curriculum Development and Program Renewal: Contributing to the department’s ongoing curriculum renewal by designing new Indigenous‑centered courses and strengthening the coherence of the program. Shaping the future direction of Native Studies at BU and reinforcing the discipline’s academic foundation.

Community Engagement and Indigenous Partnerships: Building and sustaining meaningful relationships with local Nations, Elders, Indigenous organizations, and community partners. Supporting land‑based and community‑embedded learning while expanding the department’s presence and impact in Brandon and beyond.

Service and Collegial Contribution: Participating in departmental and university service in balanced and sustainable ways that support Indigenous faculty. Contributing to a collaborative, student‑first departmental culture and help build a welcoming environment for new colleagues and community partners.

The Ideal Candidate

As the ideal candidate, you are an Indigenous scholar who brings energy, curiosity, and a deep commitment to student‑centered, relational teaching. You are grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and community‑informed ways of knowing, and you are motivated to help shape a revitalized Native Studies program built on Indigenous intellectual traditions. You thrive in a small, close community where collaboration, humility, and care are core to the work. You are eager to design contemporary, engaging courses, support students with compassion and clarity, and build relationships with local Nations, Elders, and community partners. You bring a strong work ethic, a readiness to contribute to a department in renewal, and a desire to help strengthen Indigenous presence across Brandon University.

Qualifications and Education

While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all qualifications in equal measure, those listed below are desirable and will be used to compare candidates. The committee will consider alternative combinations of education and Indigenous traditional knowledges.

Self‑identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) and demonstrate connection to community.

Hold, or be near completion of, a PhD in Indigenous or Native Studies or a related discipline with a significant record of Indigenous‑centered scholarship. Master’s‑prepared Indigenous scholars with robust traditional knowledge and community‑embedded expertise are encouraged to apply.

Demonstrate strong teaching effectiveness and comfort with student‑centered, relational pedagogy.

Bring experience or interest in land‑based, community‑based, or Indigenous pedagogical approaches.

Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a small department and contribute to a positive, student‑first culture.

Show evidence of knowledge creation through research or community scholarship grounded in Indigenous contexts.

Hiring rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Apply Now

Brandon University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process by contacting [email protected].

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Debra Clinton at [email protected] or Dr. Jennie Massey at [email protected] or submit your full application package, including a cover letter, CV, and transcripts, online at: https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/17664401246880000008gvl.

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