Chair, Department of Indigenous Studies
Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is Canada’s most community-engaged research university, with three thriving urban campuses in British Columbia’s largest municipalities: Vancouver, Burnaby, and Surrey. SFU respectfully acknowledges the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples on whose unceded traditional territories the three campuses reside. The SFU community includes more than 35,000 students and nearly 3,000 faculty and staff. SFU consistently ranks among the top 20 Canadian universities in terms of its annual research income and impact.

The Department of Indigenous Studies is part of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (FASS) which is an internationally recognized leader in broad-based liberal education whose strength lies in its diversity, high-caliber curricula, world-class pedagogy, innovations in research, and its vibrant academic community.

Engaging and interdisciplinary, the Department of Indigenous Studies encompasses a wide range of academic subjects. Our growing department is dedicated to research and programming that engages directly with decolonizing, anti-colonial, and Indigenous-led work — including the Indigenization of research, policy, and institutions. The department now seeks candidates for a continuing faculty position at the Associate Professor or Professor rank to appoint as its next Chair as early as the fall 2022 semester, if possible. Appointment with tenure is possible.

We seek candidates with strong administrative backgrounds and experiences who are motivated by Indigenization and reconciliation leadership, exemplified by advocacy for Indigenous faculty, staff and students and active pursuit of the goals of Indigenization and reconciliation and continued advancement of the SFU Aboriginal Reconciliation Council (ARC) Calls to Action. Candidates with a proven record of the following will be given priority:

• Brings a focus on decolonization, reconciliation, and Indigenization in any area regardless of discipline.
• Proven engagement with and connection to Indigenous communities.
• Brings experience in supporting Indigenous faculty, staff, and students in creating pathways to success through Indigenizing curricula, policy, and practice, and facilitating career progression.
• Experience in addressing social and systemic exclusion in relevant institutional systems, practices, and procedures.

Candidates will demonstrate an ability to make learning inclusive and accessible for students, to work with communities related to scholarly research, and to establish networks to support students’ research, co-op experience, and employment. Candidates will have a commitment to high quality research and undergraduate and graduate teaching, community engagement and outreach, and equity, diversity, and inclusion and issues of Indigenous rights and title.

The successful candidate will be appointed as Chair of the Department of Indigenous Studies for an initial five-year term, renewable. The Chair will serve as a member of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences’ senior administration with shared responsibility for the overall management of the Department in accordance with the Collective Agreement. Through strategic and visionary leadership, the Chair will encourage an interdisciplinary approach to Indigenous academic excellence, and continue to enhance the advancement of research, scholarly production and teaching. Enhancing the student experience and attracting new faculty while supporting our world-class faculty members will be a priority for the Chair.