Director of Land Based Education and Indigenous Curriculum

Job Responsibility:

Director of Land Based Education and Indigenous Curriculum

The Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) invites applications for a Full-Time Director of Land Based Education and Indigenous Curriculum. This position will be based on the Fort Garry Campus. The appointment is a five-year term beginning October 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter and may be renewable.

The Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) (OVPI) provides strategic leadership for the University of Manitoba to enhance the engagement of the Indigenous community, both internal and external, to create a safe and welcoming learning and work environment. The Vice-President (Indigenous) is responsible for providing leadership and vision in collaboration with University Senior Leadership on all matters relating to Indigenous issues including strategic and academic planning, academic programs, academic support services, research and international partnerships, administration and external relations. The OVPI consists of the Vice-President (Indigenous), Director of the OVPI, Director of Indigenous Engagement, Communications & EleV Partnership, two Associate Vice-Presidents, Executive Director of the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR); and several administrative staff.

The Director of Land Based Education and Indigenous Curriculum will provide general oversight and management of the land-based education and curriculum activities of the Associate Vice-President (Indigenous) Research and Academic initiatives.

The position of the Director of Land Based Education and Indigenous Curriculum is part of the senior administrative team and reports to the Associate Vice-President (Indigenous) Research and Academic. The Director of Land Based Education and Indigenous Curriculum would be responsible for developing and overseeing land-based education strategy, framework and all of university coordination of land-based facilities. The Director will work closely with faculties in integrating land-based Indigenous perspectives into their teaching, courses, and curriculum.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position will support the UM in achieving its goals in becoming a preferred destination for Indigenous faculty, staff and students by enhancing the UM's land-based education and environments. The Director will achieve success by developing and/or employing a variety of land-based programs, curriculum and services that will meet or exceed the needs of Indigenous faculty staff, and students. The Director will be attentive to barriers to success and will inform the AVPI-RA of policies, procedures, and practices in need of assessment and/ or revision.

Additionally, effective administrative and operational oversight is a critical component of this position. The incumbent will ensure that programming focuses on the reconciliation framework created by the UM. A visionary approach is important for the successful development and launching of the projects and programs, creating knowledge that matters, and finding new ways for the university to incorporate Indigenous learning. The Director will collaborate with university departments to drive this initiative and seek the infrastructure and partnerships to deliver the overarching land-based initiatives of the University and OVPI. They will provide leadership, supervision, support, and guidance to staff within their unit.

Position Duties: Curriculum design, development and delivery, and faculty support, 50%; Strategic Direction and Program Management, 30% Community building and networking, 10%; Professional development and training, 10%. This position will report to the Associate Vice-President (Indigenous) - Research and Academic.

Day-to-day activities Include (but are not limited to):

• Formulate, execute, and lead a strategic framework to enhance UM's land-based education, aligning with Indigenous epistemologies and integrating cultural practices.
• Drive the strategic planning for OVPI, leading the development and implementation of all land-based and Indigenous strategies, frameworks, action plans, and reports.
• Contribute to the Reconciliation Framework by reviewing and supporting the development of policies for land-based education and land-based teaching methods, ensuring these programs are instrumental in reconciliation and planetary health.
• Facilitate and engage in consultations with external partners to develop a land-based education strategy that engages Indigenous communities.
• Consult within the University of Manitoba with faculty and instructors interested in incorporating Land-based Indigenous perspectives into their courses and or curriculum.
• Partner with the VP Administration team to manage funding and oversee the development and coordination of land-based facilities for the UM community.
• Spearhead the integration of Indigenous land-based education within various academic disciplines, emphasizing its significance for science, culture, politics, language, and environmental stewardship.
• Champion intergenerational knowledge transfer by leading the creation of courses, training, and learning opportunities of land-based and Indigenous curriculum while establishing nurturing environments for healing and educational growth within the university community.
• Develop pedagogically sound resources for the integration of Land-based Indigenous perspectives into post-secondary teaching and curriculum.
• Facilitate face-to-face professional development sessions for faculty regarding the integration of Land-based Indigenous perspectives into post-secondary teaching and curriculum.
• Provide pedagogical feedback to faculty around incorporating Land-based Indigenous perspectives into courses/curriculum materials in post-secondary education.
• Participate in the design, development and delivery of various faculty development initiatives within Office of Vice-President (Indigenous) and University of Manitoba community.
• Initiate and maintain relationships with faculty to create a network for teaching support and development.
• Will be the expert and point of contact on UM land-based education initiatives.
• Ensures effective and efficient use of resources for the unit (Human, financial, information and infrastructure).
• Supervise employees, including hiring, disciplinary action. Probation period, Performance evaluation and coaching and mentoring, and timekeeping.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Formal Education and Training

• Due to the significant cultural context requirements of the position, this position is designated for Indigenous candidates. Applicants must self-declare on their cover letter/resume as Indigenous (First Nation, Metis and/or Inuit).
• Master's degree or higher in Indigenous Studies, Education, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in Indigenous education, particularly in land-based learning and pedagogy.
• Proven track record of successful program development and management.
• Direct land-based experiences, bringing knowledge of land-based pedagogy informed by traditional teaching and who possess expertise in traditional, historical, and/or contemporary Indigenous Education, and Indigenous languages.
• Should have an understanding of the specific ethical and protocol considerations regarding research with and about Indigenous peoples, including OCAP and community-based relational obligations.

Skills and Abilities

• Diverse experience in Indigenous education, in the Canadian context, including: Indigenous program development, Indigenous post-secondary education, and/or Indigenous research.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to the principles of respect, reciprocity, reverence, humility and responsibility in relation to land and Indigenous knowledges.
• Extensive experience, knowledge, competency with respect to Indigenous cultures and histories required.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, Elders, residential schools survivors and organizations required.
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Strong time management skills and organization skills
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, as well as presentation skills are essential.
• Excellent judgement with the ability to work autonomously.
• Superior organizational skills and the ability to anticipate and resolve problems
• Work independently and in a team environment
• High degree of competency with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and online meeting software.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Position Closing date: This posting will close on August 30, 2024. Applications will be reviewed immediately, and the position will remain open until filled.

DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION, THIS POSITION IS DESIGNATED FOR INDIGENOUS CANDIDATES. APPLICANTS MUST SELF-DECLARE ON THEIR COVER LETTER/RESUME AS INDIGENOUS (FIRST NATION, METIS AND/OR INUIT).

The University of Manitoba is strongly committed to Indigenous Achievement and Engagement and the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact View email address on ca.edajobs.com or View phone number on ca.edajobs.com. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the "Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba)." Please note that curriculum vitae may be provided to participating members of the search process.

Applications including i) a curriculum vitae, ii) cover letter including a statement of how you meet the qualifications outlined above, and iii) the names of three persons willing to provide a letter of reference, should be forwarded to:

Danielle Lang

Please click on the link to direct you to the contact email

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Dental care
• Extended health care

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person