UPEI acknowledges that Mi’kma’ki is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people, who, in 1725 first signed the Treaties of Peace and Friendship with the British Crown. Those treaties did not deal with the surrender of lands and resources, but instead recognized Mi’kmaq title and negotiated a path toward an ongoing relationship between nations. UPEI respectfully acknowledges they carry out their daily work in Mi’kma’ki.

Reporting to the Vice-President, Academic and Research, and serving as a member of senior academic administration, this position will provide a transformative vision, leadership, and support to the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research and Applied Studies – and the University as a whole – in the mission to further Indigenize the UPEI campus and academic curriculum. The successful candidate will provide leadership in the continued development and implementation of this Faculty. They will be involved in the development and implementation of UPEI’s new Strategic Plan, offering their expertise in administration, change-management, program development and Indigenous community relations.

As the University’s key contact for Indigenous community engagement, the successful candidate must bring a strong record of consensus and relationship-building with Indigenous communities, organizations, universities, and colleges. Bringing to life the concept of ‘two-eyed seeing’, the new Dean will ensure a balanced approach and cooperation across disciplines, faculty, staff, and community members while building and sustaining a culturally sensitive environment that supports academic, research, and operational excellence.

Charting the path forward for UPEI regarding Indigenization and reconciliation, the Dean, IKERAS is a forward-thinking, collaborative leader who will lend their expertise in multiple domains, which may include the re-thinking of research topics, epistemologies, and methodologies; program development; support resources and services; and recruitment and retention initiatives amongst others.  This leader will imbue confidence and pride throughout the IKERAS as it continues to grow and lead the Faculty through its infancy. They will provide culturally safe spaces for their team(s) to operate, and will undoubtedly be a strong project manager, team builder, and knowledge translator.

The impact of this position is significant. Through reciprocal and collaborative approaches, the Dean will continue to grow Indigenous participation across the student, staff, and faculty communities, and embed Indigenous knowledge and epistemologies in all facets of UPEI operations. In helping UPEI to achieve its equity and inclusion goals, the Dean, IKERAS will also help position UPEI to better serve its community and to better address issues of national concern.

Qualifications:

Exceptional interpersonal, management, and team-building skills are essential in this position. UPEI actively seeks an Indigenous candidate to lead the Faculty of IKERAS. The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes: 

• A Ph.D. or equivalent combined with experience and qualifications commensurate with the rank of a tenured Associate Professor or Professor
• Strong administrative and organizational leadership experience
• Ability to operationalize a strategic vision and inspire others
• Lived experience of Indigenous world views, cultures and values, and superior understanding of diverse Indigenous knowledge systems, epistemologies, and Indigenous research methodologies
• Ability to attract and retain outstanding students, staff and faculty and motivate others in the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement
• A commitment to Indigenous community-engaged research, teaching and learning across diverse cultures
• An understanding of the broader context for higher education in Atlantic Canada
• Familiarity with University policies as they relate to advancing Indigenous education
• Knowledge of and experience with post-secondary education initiatives, programs, and transformative practices in support of Indigenous education, student success and community engagement
• Proficient knowledge of the political, legislative, and governing bodies pertaining to Indigenous initiatives at a local, provincial and national level
• Knowledge of UNDRIP, the Truth & Reconciliation recommendations and 94 Calls to Action and the 231 Calls to Justice from the 2019 Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
• Experience developing and submitting funding proposals, in conjunction with university administrators to provincial ministries, federal government, and private sector sources for programs, initiatives and projects related to Indigenous postsecondary education 
• Demonstrated record of establishing positive cross-cultural relationships and relationships within and alongside Indigenous communities
• Ability to engage external Indigenous communities and stakeholders in ways that will support Indigenization of relevant UPEI strategic priorities
• Strong communication skills with the ability to facilitate consciousness-raising within an environment of teamwork to challenge and overcome institutional and systemic barriers to the successful attainment of post-secondary education for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students across the University
• Competency in an Indigenous language or knowledge of Indigenous languages would be an asset

Compensation

The Dean’s salary is determined by the UPEI / UPEIFA Collective Agreement and an additional decanal stipend. The salary range for this position is $155,000 to $195,000 per annum. Where relocation is required, the Collective Agreement provides guidance on how the University will contribute to moving costs (Section D-8: https://files.upei.ca/agreements/2022-2026_upeifa_bu1_final.pdf ). This appointment is subject to final budgetary approval.

Application Instructions:

UPEI invites applications from all qualified candidates. Please email the following application materials to ottawa@leadersinternational.com.  

1. Cover letter clarifying your attributes and qualifications in relation to the Opportunity Profile 
2. CV (Canadian Common CV or institutional CV)
3. Proof of citizenship or membership to an Indigenous Nation or community. This should be a document that is acceptable to the community or Nation you are from*  

* Verification with documentation can take many forms, and these will be defined by Indigenous governments. Examples of verification with documentation can be, and are not limited to, a letter from a community’s governance body, an Indigenous government-issued membership or citizenship card, or a status card issued by Indigenous Services Canada. 

In situations where Indigenous government-approved documentation is not available, the committee will guide and support the individual through a verification process. The process will support Indigenous people who may not possess documentation for a variety of reasons, including displacement through past policies, laws, and the overall impacts of colonization.  

Candidates who are invited to the interview process may be required to submit additional information relating to their Indigenous identity (e.g., letters of reference, genealogy, etc). 

All information provided will be subject to verification, and further information may be requested. The information provided should address all essential qualifications and will be assessed fairly. 

Measures for accommodation are available to all candidates for further assessment. If you require accommodations, please contact LaurieS@leadersinternational.com. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially. 

For more details or to further explore this important strategic leadership opportunity, please contact:

Laurie Sterritt • Managing Partner 
Leaders International                                                                    
Telephone: 778-838-4569 
lauries@leadersinternational.com

Carly Jamieson • Consultant 
Leaders International                                                                    
Telephone: 226-583-6102 
carlyj@leadersinternational.com

Saxon Miller • Consultant 
Leaders International                                                                    
Telephone:204-299-7054 
saxonm@leadersinternational.com

UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute. UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Closing date is September 9, 2023; however, competition will remain open until a suitable applicant is identified.