Associate Director, Indigenous Engagement and Citizenship - (01473.1)

Reporting to the Vice-Provost, Open, Learning, Teaching and Innovation, the Associate Director, Indigenous Engagement and Citizenship is responsible for ensuring TRU is undertaking active and responsible Indigenous engagement in curriculum processes, with exceptional consideration for the Secwépemc worldview. The position will also have primary responsibility for working with Indigenous communities toward the creation and implementation of an Indigenous Citizenship process, will play a key role in ensuring that Indigenous students, staff, and faculty are supported across TRU, and will help build stronger and more meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities (with special consideration for T’kemlups te Secwépemc (TteS) and T’exelc).

MAJOR RESPONSIBLITIES

• Assists and advises the Vice-Provost OLTI and the Office of the Provost on Indigenous knowledges, approaches and respectful engagement
• Fosters strong relationships with Indigenous communities, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers, as well as with internal interest holders
• Liaises with TRU’s first houses, TteS and T’exelc, and is committed to maintaining a respectful and transparent relationship
• Creates and implements a process for curriculum engagement with Indigenous communities, with special consideration for TteS and T’exelc
• Works with the Office of the VP Research (S7extekékstmen) to ensure curriculum and research engagement processes are aligned
• Works with community toward creation and implementation of an Indigenous Citizenship process at TRU
• Once implemented, provides direct support to ensure the strong functioning of the Indigenous Citizenship process
• Works with groups across campus to provide advice and assistance in supporting Indigenous students, staff and faculty
• Works with groups across campus to increase communication and understanding regarding respectful engagement with Indigenous communities, with exceptional consideration for engagement with TteS and T’exelc
• Advances Indigenization and decolonization at TRU, with exceptional consideration for Secwépemc worldview
• Ensures compliance with TRU policies
• Participates on designated internal and external committees

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

• Master’s degree or equivalent is preferred; however, bachelor’s degree or equivalent may be considered depending on level of knowledge and experience.
• Minimum five years of direct experience working within Indigenous communities, combined with experience in a post-secondary learning environment.
• Direct lived experience of Indigenous worldviews, cultures, and values, with exceptional consideration for Secwépemc worldview
• Knowledge of cultural protocols to appropriately engage and foster respectful, reciprocal, ongoing relationships with Indigenous community, with exceptional consideration for TteS and T’exelc.
• Significant knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to education with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, and an appreciation and respect for the diversity of Indigenous peoples
• Strong organizational and engagement skills, sense of humour, and approach that will facilitate credibility and foster trust and strong, productive working relationships
• Excellent leadership, respect for diversity, relationship, consensus building and interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Strong report writing and data analysis abilities
• Strong presentation skills

EXPERIENCE

• Experience working with Indigenous curriculum engagement in a post-secondary environment
• Experience working on Indigenous Citizenship engagements toward creation and implementation of process
• Experience supporting post-secondary Indigenous students, staff and faculty
• Experience supporting and advising senior academic administrators