Indigenous Pillar 1: Research Assistant

EXTENDED: Final Date for Application Submission Now: September 28th 2023

PROJECT SUMMARY: 21^st Century Borders – Borders in Globalization (BIG) is an international research project funded through a Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Partnership Grant with its central hub located in the Centre for Global Studies (CFGS) at the University of Victoria (UVic). Our research program is comparative (across regions), policy-relevant, and cohesive (thematically consistent). Research assistants will work as part of the BIG team and will be expected to conduct primary research. The BIG research team at UVic will provide supervision, with support from our advisory boards comprised of academics, policy-makers, and business people.

PREFERENTIAL HIRE: In accordance with the University’s equity plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, preference will be given to members of the following designated group(s): [Indigenous Peoples, Black people, people with disabilities/disabled persons, racialized people, or people of colour, and women and gender diverse peoples]. Candidates from [these groups/this group] who wish to qualify for preferential consideration must self-identify in their cover letter.

The committee will review other applications if they do not find a suitable candidate in the preferential pool.

POSITION SUMMARY: The University of Victoria invites applications for Research Assistant under the supervision of Dr. Jeff Corntassel, who is a co-principal investigator and lead of Indigenous Pillar 1 with the BIG project. The position entails administrative responsibilities and research activities that may include but not be limited to the following:

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES X 60%

– Be a main point of contact for inquiries and correspondence related to Indigenous Pillar 1, which focuses on Indigenous internationalism, self-determination, and expressions of Indigenous nationhood;

– Manage appointments at the direction of the program leads and management;

– Work with BIG team and Indigenous community participants to coordinate Summer Institute and partner gathering for the summer;

– Organize meetings and gatherings, including creating agendas and meeting packages, catering, and booking venues;

– Attend meetings, prepare detailed summaries of discussions, develop draft action plans for implementation and coordinating follow up activities; and

– Arrange travel including transportation and accommodations.

RESEARCH ASSISTANCE RESPONSIBILITIES X 30%

– Collaborate with Research Team leaders and management to align project objectives and strategies; and

– Assist with research on various topics including: Indigenous Internationalism, oral histories of local Indigenous food sovereignty and trade networks, and Indigenous climate action that transcend state borders.

COMMUNICATIONS X 10%

– Prepare and edit program correspondence including marketing and communications through social media;

– Platforms and webpage updates; and

– Assist with the coordination of the Indigenous Pillar podcast series.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

– Ability to work autonomously and take a lead role on projects under the supervision of the Program leads and management;

– Strong organizational and time management skills with advanced attention to detail;

– High level of self-direction, with an ability to work both independently and as part of a team;

– Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills; and

– Advanced proficiency with computer applications including MS-Office Suite; experience using social media applications an asset.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

– Cultural awareness of the Indigenous peoples of British Columbia, and familiarity with Indigenous nations and the issues they face in regard to the public post-secondary education system;

– Knowledge of Indigenous historical perspectives, and challenges specific to Indigenous students and communities;

– Consultation with Elders and Knowledge Keepers regarding cultural protocols and community practices; and

– Knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing and being and cultural protocols, as well as knowledge of event planning, coordination and delivery, and good judgment to coordinate culturally significant and respectful events.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

– 3 or 4 Year Undergraduate, MA or Ph.D student in Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences or other Humanities, with written and oral academic language proficiency in English;

– Ability to work on a large research team; and

– Ability to coordinate with a network of academic partners.

POSTION INFORMATION:

– This is a one year position for 15 hours a week, with an option to extend contingent upon grant funding.

– The rate of pay will be $22/h

– Start date is negotiable, but no later than October 16th, 2023

– The successful candidate will be provided with shared office space at the University of Victoria’s Centre for Global Studies.

– The position is funded by the 21^st Century Borders grant as part of the Borders in Globalization research program. 21^st Century Borders is funded through external grant funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Erasmus+ Programs of the European Union.

HOW TO APPLY: Please send the following materials by 4pm PST Sept 28^th  to [email protected] addressed to BIG Manager with “Indigenous RA Application fall 2023” in the subject line:

– A complete curriculum vitae

– A statement of research interests, related experience, and future goals, please reflect on your positionality and your own values and ethical principles related to research.

– Contact details for three references

– Optional: research outputs such as journal articles or editorials that best demonstrate your fit for the position.

Only complete submissions will be considered.

Further information about the University of Victoria, the School of Public Administration, and the Centre for Global Studies is available on their websites.

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. Read our full equity statement here: www.uvic.ca/equitystatement

#15 BIG Podcast – “Indigenous Resurgence and Indigenous Internationalism”

featuring Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel – Professor in Indigenous Studies & Associate Director of CIRCLE, Victoria, BC, Canada

Indigenous nationhood movements are taking place worldwide in multiple ways and are all connected with the Indigenous resurgence. Indigenous autonomy and self-determination are fundamental to Indigenous resurgence. What are the effects of the Doctrine of Discovery on Indigenous Peoples? What are the Indigenous perspectives on International Relations Theory? Between the Buffalo Treaty, and the role of Indigenous Peoples in the Columbia River treaty renegotiation, Indigenous Peoples are using their internal sovereignty and external sovereignty to establish a stronger political and juridical self-determination. Elements of response and reflection with the Indigenous Scholar Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel.

Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel is a writer, teacher and father from the Cherokee Nation. He is a Professor in Indigenous Studies, and cross-listed Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Victoria as well as Associate Director of the Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE). Corntassel is a Co-PI with Dr. Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly on the 7-year SSHRC partnership grant entitled “21st Century Borders” and is the lead of Pillar 1 for that grant focusing on Indigenous Internationalism. Jeff’s research and teaching interests focus on “Everyday Acts of Resurgence” and the intersections between Indigenous internationalism, community resurgence, climate change, gender, and community well-being. situates his work at the grassroots with many Indigenous led community-based programs and initiatives ranging from local food movement initiatives, land-based renewal projects to gendered colonial violence and protection of homelands. He is currently completing work for his forthcoming book on Sustainable Self-Determination, which examines Indigenous climate justice, food security, and gender-based resurgence.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and the Podcast App!