Canada Research Chair, Tier 2

Date posted: July 10, 2023. Posting closed August 31, 2023

Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Indigenous Language Revitalization, Reclamation & Maintenance

Start Date: 1 July 2024 or as negotiated

The University of Victoria is consistently ranked in the top tier of Canada’s research-intensive universities. Vital impact drives the UVic sense of purpose. As an internationally renowned teaching and research hub, we tackle essential issues that matter to people, places and the planet. Situated in the Pacific Rim, our location breeds a profound passion for exploration. Defined by its edges, this extraordinary environment inspires us to defy boundaries, discover, and innovate in exciting ways. It’s different here, naturally and by design. We live, learn, work and explore on the edge of what’s next—for our planet and its peoples. Our commitment to research-inspired dynamic learning and vital impact make this Canada’s most extraordinary environment for discovery and innovation. Experience the edge of possibilities for yourself.

We acknowledge and respect the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on whose traditional territory the university stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

The members of Indigenous Education at UVic are guided by the following foundational values, shared by the local First Peoples with the University of Victoria (UVic), respecting our ancestors and the original caretakers of this land.

Héʔəkʷ ʔə cə čəléŋən ɫtə
HÁEQ TE OL TŦE ĆELÁ EN TE
Remember our ancestors/birthright

Nəc̓əmaat kʷəns čeʔi
ĆȺNEUEL OL
Work together

Nəw̓es šxʷ cən ʔay̓ šqʷeləqʷən
ÁMEḴT TŦEN ÍY, ŚḰÁLEȻEN
Bring in your good heart and mind

Leʔt šxʷ helə ʔə cə mak̓ʷ sčeʔi səʔ
TU LÁTES MEQ EN SĆ SE
Be prepared for the work to come

lək̓ʷəŋən – top row / SENĆOŦEN – middle row

The Department of Indigenous Education invites applications from external candidates for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 2 in Indigenous Language Revitalization, Reclamation and Maintenance. This CRC recruitment is part of a broad strategy to expand and raise the profile of research and teaching strategies for Indigenous Language Revitalization. The successful applicant will be nominated by the university for a CRC Tier 2 and upon approval by the CRC Secretariat, will be offered a tenured or tenure-track faculty appointment at the appropriate rank, commensurate with qualifications and experience. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2024.

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, defined as the original peoples of North America and their descendants: i.e., First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Candidates from this group must self-identify in their cover letter. Preference will be given to qualified Indigenous scholars from the following, in order of priority:

lək̓ʷəŋən peoples and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples; Coast and Straits Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakwaka’wak Nations on Vancouver Island and beyond, including cross-border communities; North American Indigenous Nations and communities.

Requirements

Candidates are to be evaluated according to the following CRC criteria:

• be an emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity;
• have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years;
• as chairholders, have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers; and
• be proposing an original, innovative, and high quality research program.

Additionally, promotion and support of equity, diversity and inclusion is a key requirement of the CRC program.

The Department is interested in candidates who have:

• A doctoral degree focused on Indigenous Language Revitalization, Indigenous Studies, Education, Applied Linguistics, or a related field
• An emerging record of scholarly contributions, relative to stage of career, in the area of Indigenous Education. Preferred specialisations include language revitalization, Indigenous education, community-based research, Indigenous cultural resurgence, and Indigenizing teacher education
• Ability to contribute to teaching and supervision in the areas of Indigenous Language Revitalization, Reclamation and/or Maintenance
• Applied knowledge of Indigenous language pedagogies and research methodologies
• Knowledge of or ability to contribute to the emerging practice of language planning
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively
• Dedication to community-engaged scholarship and teaching
• Contributions to decolonization and/or Indigenous community resurgence
• Indigenous ancestry with lived experience in Indigenous communities, cultures and traditions
• Commitment to learning, speaking and/or teaching an Indigenous language

 In addition, the following qualifications would be considered strong assets:

• Successful post-secondary teaching and mentorship relative to career stage
• Experiential knowledge of and appreciation for land-based practices
• Ability to contribute to Indigenous language program development

Related links

Information about the Department of Indigenous Education and its programs can be found on the Department's website.

Additional information

Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs are one of Canada’s premier early career recognition and recruitment programs, and are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination). However, applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist) may have their eligibility assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. For more information on the CRC program and on eligibility, please consult the Canada Research Chairs website.

The successful applicant will join a vibrant department led by Indigenous faculty and supported by dedicated staff. Our team regularly works with Indigenous communities and campus partners to develop high quality and responsive educational programs and research. We are seeking a colleague who can contribute to teaching and research excellence in Indigenous education and language revitalization.

The Department of Indigenous Education is one of four departments in the Faculty of Education. Established in 2017, it is home to six full-time faculty and five support staff. The department has research and teaching strengths in two areas: Community-Based Indigenous Language Revitalization and Indigenous Teacher Education. Its teaching focus is: a) working closely with community partners to provide undergraduate programs leading to increased language revitalization capacities, and b) preparing both Indigenous and non-Indigenous K-12 teachers for certification in British Columbia. The department also has an active master’s program that focuses on language revitalization and a doctorate by special arrangement. Graduate students contribute to and benefit from the department’s vigorous and meaningful research culture. For a relatively small department they are significant SSHRC, and other, grant holders.

The most substantial of these grants is the NEȾOLṈEW̱ SSHRC Partnership Grant ($2.5mil) and the recently awarded UVic Aspiration Research Cluster grant ($100k/2yrs). 

Contact information

Please include the following in your application package:

• A cover letter (2 pages max) outlining your interest in and anticipated contributions to the position
• A curriculum vitae (20 pages max, shorter is welcomed)
• A description of the candidate’s proposed CRC research program (4 pages max)
• A teaching dossier (5 pages max plus appendices) including 1 course syllabi and sample of teaching evaluations
• Two samples of your scholarly work
• A statement about your knowledge, experience and skills advancing equity, diversity and inclusion - see the UVIC equity statement below (1 page max)
• Names and e-mail addresses of three referees, one of which should be from an Indigenous community leader, Indigenous government or Indigenous organization representative

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

Contact information
Questions about the position are welcome and should be addressed to the Appointment Committee Chair at iedchair@uvic.ca.

Application deadline

Posting closed August 31 2023

Equity statement

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across levels of power. We actively encourage applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity; however in accordance with section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, this search is limited to Indigenous Peoples.

Read our full equity statement.  

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

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 FRrecruit@uvic.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.