Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Indigenous Histories and Historical Practice in Canada (External)

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• Posting ID: 2464
• Position Title: Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Indigenous Histories and Historical Practice in Canada
• Faculty/Academic Area; Canada Research Chair Department: Faculty of Arts
• Campus: Waterloo

Position Summary

• Faculty of Arts, Department of History, Wilfrid Laurier University
• Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Indigenous Histories and Historical Practice in Canada

Wilfrid Laurier University is located on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier’s Waterloo and Brantford campuses are situated on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and on the Haldimand Tract, which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The Department of History at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applicants for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Indigenous Histories and Historical Practice in Canada open to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) scholars. This is a full-time position in the Department of History, Faculty of Arts. The successful candidate will be nominated for a Tier 2 CRC and will be appointed as a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in the Department of History, subject to budgetary approval and conditional on CRC application approval.

The Department of History is a community of engaged teachers, researchers and learners who welcome broad-minded inquiry into the past. The department offers innovative and experiential courses at the undergraduate level as well as graduate degrees through the Tri-University program, one of the largest in the country. Research is a priority for the department, which is a key partner in the newly launched Centre for the Study of Canada at Laurier.

Laurier’s Department of History is a nationally leading centre for the training of emerging Indigenous historians, featuring a doctoral major field in Indigenous Histories of Turtle Island and, in the joint Tri-University (Laurier/Guelph/Waterloo) Graduate Program in History, one of the strongest communities of Indigenous historians and historians of Indigenous-Settler relations in the country.

Laurier recognizes the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and supports their right to preserve and express their distinctive cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming, research, teaching and co-curricular activities. The university is a short 2.5-hour drive from 18 First Nations communities, including the Six Nations of the Grand River, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Kitchener, Waterloo and Brantford also have large urban Indigenous populations. There are 12 Métis councils within a 3-hour radius.

Indigenization is a pillar of Laurier’s institutional strategy. Diverse initiatives have advanced Indigenous knowledge, such as the  Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Centre for Indigegogy, the Indigenous Knowledge Fund, the annual Indigenist Research Symposium, Visiting Elders program and Indigenous curriculum specialists. Laurier has a combined honours program in Indigenous Studies and an innovative graduate degree program, the Master of Social Work (MSW) Indigenous Field of Study.  Darren Thomas has recently been appointed the Associate Vice-President of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and will be enhancing and building a comprehensive strategic plan for Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation at Laurier.

The Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Indigenous Histories and Historical Practice in Canada

The Canada Research Chairs Program is a key component of a strategy to make Canada one of the world’s top countries in research and development (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca).

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated capacity to develop an externally funded, world-class research program. They will be expected to secure external funding, including Tri-Agency grants, and to contribute to the training and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students through their research program.

The candidate is also expected to have demonstrated teaching proficiency and to make contributions to undergraduate and graduate teaching in History that align with their expertise. They will also contribute generally to service activities of the department.

Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) are intended for exceptional emerging researchers; candidates typically must be within 10 years of obtaining their PhD. However, it is recognized that career breaks due to personal leaves can have legitimate impacts on an applicant’s record of research achievements. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree and have had career breaks due to maternity, parental or extended sick leaves, family care or other similar reasons may still be eligible and are encouraged to apply. Eligibility can be assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Please consult the CRC website for details about eligibility or contact Charity Parr-Vasquez (cparrvasquez@wlu.ca), Assistant Vice-President, Research, for more information.

Qualifications

This position is open only to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) applicants. Indigenous applicants should self-identify through the covering letter by including their familial and/or community connections that position them as a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person. In accordance with the CRC’s Requirements for Recruitment guidelines, applicants are encouraged to complete the applicant equity survey. For more information on Laurier’s CRC equity, diversity and inclusion commitments, please visit the Laurier’s CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

The successful candidate will possess a PhD in History by the time of nomination and a demonstrated potential of becoming a leader in Indigenous History in Canada. Research achievements to date will include success in obtaining Tri-Agency (and/or other) funding, a strong track-record in peer-reviewed publishing, and evidence of research impact. The CRC will apply their established expertise in Indigenous methodologies to develop research programs and courses in the histories of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples in the land now known as Canada, focusing on themes central to Indigenous peoples and settler colonialism.

The successful candidate will have a track-record of effective leadership, collaboration and public engagement. The Department expects the CRC to engage widely and deeply with broader communities, both Indigenous and settler, and within our own Laurier community. Proven ability in knowledge mobilization, the sharing of expertise, public discussion, consultation, and collaboration are all vital aspects of this position.

Teaching proficiency and innovative pedagogy at the undergraduate level are essential. Since the CRC will supervise postdoctoral and graduate students, evidence of potential excellence in mentoring and graduate training is also necessary.

The CRC will be invited to promote research in Indigenous history at the new Centre for the Study of Canada.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants should send the following materials electronically (preferably as a single PDF) to the chair of the search committee, David Chan Smith, dasmith@wlu.ca.

• a cover letter outlining their qualifications for the position
• a curriculum vitae
• a 1-2 page statement of current and prospective research,
• a 1-2 page statement outlining teaching philosophy, experience and interests, including proposed courses you could teach in the Department of History
• Provide the names of three referees, two academic and one from an
• Indigenous community or organization, willing to provide a letter of reference

Applications will be accepted until September 14, 2021.

The anticipated start date is January 1, 2023 (or later) subject to the successful candidate’s availability, and the submission of a peer-reviewed application for the CRC and final approval of the CRC by the Secretariat.  

The impact of leaves (e.g. parental leave, extended leaves due to illness, etc.) will be carefully considered when reviewing candidates’ eligibility and record of research achievement. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to explain in their cover letter how career interruptions may have impacted them.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff. We welcome applications from qualified candidates who also identify as racialized or having disabilities, and qualified candidates of any sexual and gender identity. Candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcome to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@wlu.ca and/or Equity and Accessibility at equity@wlu.ca.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as required by Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Laurier strives to make our application process accessible and provides accommodations for both applicants and employees as outlined in Policy 8.7. If you require assistance applying for this position, would like this job posting in an alternative format, or would like to discuss accessibility and accommodations during the recruitment process please contact Laurier’s Equity and Accessibility Officer at accessibility@wlu.ca.

To obtain a copy of this job ad (or links referenced) in an accessible format or if there are any questions concerning the recruitment process, please contact David Chan Smith, dasmith@wlu.ca

The Department of History wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. All applications shall be reviewed and considered under the criteria established by the Search Committee and a short list of candidates shall be interviewed. Only those applicants selected for the short list will be contacted. 

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-Apply-/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a CV and letter of introduction will be required in electronic form.