Working with the Ancestors Facilitator

About Toronto Metropolitan

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

In April 2022, the university announced our new name of Toronto Metropolitan University, which will be implemented in a phased approach. Learn more about our next chapter.

About the Team 
This role is part of two departments and a member of the communities within both of those departments: Indigenous Student Services and Student Affairs.
Indigenous Student Services is a department within the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI). Indigenous Student Services provides a culturally supportive environment to promote academic excellence and serves as a place to balance academic learning with traditional teachings and culture. The role of our office is to provide specialized services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students on campus and to develop a mutually productive relationship between TMU and the Indigenous Community. 
Student Affairs at Toronto Metropolitan University is a team of educators, learners, and professionals dedicated to supporting students at every stage of their journey at Toronto Metropolitan University. We provide academic, professional, and personal development opportunities and support programs to all students in a variety of formats including online, in workshops and 1:1 appointments, through peer support and professional advising, and in partnership with Faculty and other campus partners. 

The Opportunity

Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall defines Two-Eyed Seeing as: “To see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing, and to see from the other eye with the strengths of Western ways of knowing, and to use both of these eyes together” (Marshall as quoted in Peltier, 2018). 
The Working with the Ancestors Facilitator supports and nurtures the relationship between Student Affairs and Indigenous Student Services, using and contributing to the Indigenous relational model, to ensure pathways between Student Affairs and Indigenous Student Services, as well as build capacity within and reciprocity between both departments.  
This role works closely with leadership, provides feedback, insights, and data that will inform systems change and Student Affairs’ commitment to decolonize their work in phased, strategic ways. Contributes to ongoing improvements to the student experience, including the specific perspectives of Indigenous students about their success, and improvements to the ways that staff learning and education needs are supported in order for this transformational work to be undertaken by the partner departments.

We are looking for candidates that identify as Indigenous with lived experience and are interested in supporting students from a shared background. Please note that this role is student facing, the current work model is hybrid with 3-4 days on campus depending on program need. 

Qualifications
To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications: 

• Candidates must self-identify as Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit or Metis Peoples, or Indigenous peoples of North America, preferably with a strong commitment to Indigenous knowledges, methodologies and experience in collaborating with Indigenous students, organizations and communities.
• Completion of a post-secondary degree in education, social work, sociology, Indigenous studies or a related discipline is required to gain relational, organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Specialized training in and lived experience with Aboriginal post-secondary education.
• A minimum 4 years’ experience in a post-secondary program facilitator role, facilitating the development, delivery and evaluation of support programs and services. 
• Lived experience of Aboriginal Education issues as they relate to holistic development and Indigenous students in post-secondary education.
• Experience recognizing, understanding, empathizing, and working with diverse belief systems and ways of being.
• Experience contributing to the development of marketing and promotional strategies and materials.
• Experience with project management and student engagement.
• Experience conducting training and learning sessions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build reciprocal relationships and deal with conflict through Indigenous models.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of adult learning processes and facilitation skills are required.
• Knowledge of a holistic learning approach in working with Aboriginal learners.
• Knowledge of student development, training, and adult learning theories and practices.
• Knowledge of Indigenous learning methodologies, ways of knowing, and assessment.
• Knowledge of the intergenerational impact of Indian Act policies, specifically, Education policies (contemporary and historical).
• Organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
• Strong project and program planning, delivery, and assessment skills.
• Ability to oversee budgets.
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer (MS Office, Google Suite, custom databases) and web/social media based applications.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.

Additional Information Position Number(s)  20004346 Reports To  Manager, Strategic Initiatives, Student Affairs and Director, Office of Aboriginal Initiatives Vacancy Type  TERM   Employee Group  OPSEU   Start Date  ASAP End Date  1 year from start date Hours of Work  36.25 Grade and Step  12 Salary Scale  $71,284.07 - $90,300.54 (Hiring salary range - $71,284.07 - $77,894.04) Application Close Date  March 21, 2023

Notes: 

• Applicants who do not meet all of the posted qualifications may, upon the University’s sole discretion, be considered to fill a vacancy on an underfill basis.

As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.  
Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's careersite.

Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
 
We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please contact hr@ryerson.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.