Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives

Emily Carr University

The Opportunity - Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives
As a member of the University’s Executive team, the Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives acts as an advisor to the President + Vice-Chancellor while also providing leadership and vision in co-creating ECUAD’s strategic plan both generally as a member of the executive group, and specifically in relation to its commitments to Indigeneity, decolonization, and reconciliation.

Reporting to the President + Vice-Chancellor, the Executive Director is a lead voice and resource across the institution, collaborating with faculty, staff, and students to support the development and implementation of culturally responsive programs, curriculum, and other initiatives. The Executive Director leads a small team of professional staff in the Aboriginal Gathering Place, and with that team, facilitates access for and promotes the success of Indigenous learners.

The Executive Director develops and maintains meaningful and engaged partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations that benefit and enrich both the creative and learning environment at ECUAD, and those communities and organizations. We have a vibrant connection to the host nations and are currently gathering their perspectives as we develop new programs and apply an Indigenous worldview to our all our programs and operations. Our goal is to create a teaching and learning environment where all Indigenous people can thrive, attracting leaders, faculty and staff and graduating members of the local nations.

Key Responsibilities:
• Work closely with the President as a member of the Senior Executive team, to shape and develop the University’s strategic direction, while providing leadership and vision for Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation.
• Identify opportunities that further Indigenization at ECUAD and support the development, planning, promotion, and execution of related initiatives across the organization.
• Serves as the administrative lead for the Aboriginal Gathering Place (AGP). Provide mentorship, oversight, and human resource management for a team of staff who deliver programming that supports the success of Indigenous learners, while contributing to the broader development and enrichment of knowledge, cultural awareness skills, and experience of all members of the ECUAD community.
• Lead and supervise AGP staff including recruitment, retention, performance management, and employee development responsibilities.
• Work with AGP staff to facilitate, coordinate, and deliver activities, events, and workshops that foster awareness and understanding of current and emerging issues within Indigenous communities, Indigenous history, cultural practices, and traditional knowledge.
• Develop, monitor, and report on the AGP and Indigenous Initiatives’ operating budget including all grant funding; apply Indigenous practices for sustainable resource management while ensuring the effective use and stewardship of available resources.
• Provide advice and support to senior administration, staff, and faculty regarding local, provincial, and national Indigenous issues, cultural protocols, and practices.
• Build engaged relationships with other post-secondary Indigenous leaders, Government, funding agencies, foundations, organizations, and communities and identify opportunities for collaboration and actively seek funding for research initiatives and other projects.
• Participate in committees, governmental networks, and academic/non-academic communities of practice in an effort to advance Truth and Reconciliation and the Indigenization of post-secondary education.
• Identify gaps and opportunities in current program and service offerings, and assist in developing new programs, policies, procedures, and services that consider the enrolment, retention, and success of Indigenous students, and Indigenous faculty and staff at ECUAD. Serve as a resource to Student Services and the Deans on related matters.
• Seek opportunities to collaborate with faculty and staff in the development of culturally responsive programs and curriculum and to ensure that existing services, activities, policies, and procedures are socially and culturally appropriate for Indigenous students and employees.
• Ensure information gathering and data collection within the University to assess the effectiveness of activities and action plans regarding Indigenous student services and education and develop reports that inform the continuous improvement of Indigenous-focused programs and services.
• Build engaged, respectful, and impactful relationships with Indigenous Leaders, Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, communities, and organizations to raise awareness of ECUAD’s commitment to culturally responsive Indigenous education and commitment to the success of Indigenous learners.
• Provide leadership and foster best practices in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI); create opportunities to advance the University’s JEDI practice objectives.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities
• Relationship-building skills that demonstrate respect, reciprocity, creativity, collaboration, and innovation in engaging others with authenticity and trust.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated advanced skill level in public speaking and group facilitation.
• Demonstrated skill in the application of Indigenous education pedagogies and learning principles including experiential learning.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with a demonstrated ability to lead an initiative from concept to implementation.
• Direct experience or participation as an artist or performer in creative or cultural practice, is an asset.
• Ability to lead a team and relate to individuals whose creativity, innovative thinking, and ‘maker’ mindset are important elements within their teaching and learning process.
• Advanced competencies in the practice of cultural safety and humility; ability to lead Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives.
• Success in leading and participating in research initiatives and partnerships.
• Recent history of developing and leading successful grant applications.

Education and Experience
• A master’s degree in a related field of study, such as Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Art and Design, Indigenous Governance, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Lived experience and familiarity with the history, stories, ceremonies, cultural norms, and knowledge systems of First Nations, Inuit, or Métis Peoples required.
• Minimum of 10 years experience in a leadership role with a focus on education, art, design, or Indigenous cultural practices within an Indigenous community or Indigenous organization or in a post-secondary environment.
• Experience leading, developing, and implementing impactful Indigenous-focused initiatives and programs, including collaborative research projects.
• Experience leading and supervising others.
• Extensive knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and protocols locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally.
• Knowledge of current and emerging issues in Indigenous education and relevant legislation.
• Established working relationships with Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers, and with Indigenous communities and organizations in Canada. Working relationships with Elders and Indigenous communities in British Columbia is an asset.

To Apply
Please submit a résumé and cover letter that provides evidence of Indigenous knowledge, relevant lived experience, established community connections, cultural involvement / activities, and Indigenous heritage. Your cover letter should include a description of how these elements have prepared you for this critical leadership role at ECUAD. Please also include a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Statement, that outlines your thoughts and experiences fostering/leading JEDI in the workplace and/or community.

To Apply, please submit:
1. Cover Letter
2. Résumé / Curriculum Vitae
3. Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement
to: vancouver@leadersinternational.com

Please note: In the latter stages of the selection process, the following additional steps will occur for individuals who are invited to an interview with the selection committee:

• Self-Declaration of Indigenous Heritage
• Information and/or correspondence that supports their self-declaration.
• Items supporting the self-declaration may include:
 Letters of support from your Indigenous Community
 Reference letters from Indigenous members of your community
 Documentation supporting your confirmed citizenship as a member of a recognized First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis group (formal membership/citizenship documents will only be requested of short-listed candidates and those documents will be collected and protected by the Human Resources department at ECUAD)

More information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gnMc9jW3