The University of Ottawa, in speaking with community partners, faculty, students, and staff have, for a number of years, expressed concern that there was not a clear hiring process that would ensure Indigenous people are hired for Indigenous-specific positions.

In relation to the University’s Indigenous Action Plan (PDF, 6 Mb), last year the Provost’s Office created the Provost’s Committee on Hiring Indigenous Professors as a pilot project intended to manage the hiring process for regular professors. Under this process, all preferred candidates short-listed for a position designated specifically as being for an Indigenous person will be asked to provide documentation that is reviewed by this committee.  

The committee was comprised of two community-based partners from local First Nations, two Indigenous professors, a dean, the Provost, and the Provost’s Delegate on Indigenous Engagement.

As a result of last year’s processes, new language for future job postings for new faculty positions was created for positions that are restricted to Indigenous candidates and identifies the types of information required in the application package that will be used to assist the ability of hiring committees to make informed decisions. Furthermore, this language signals to candidates and hiring committees that self-identification is not enough to assert Indigeneity and that the University of Ottawa is committed to establishing a strong process that is transparent and guided by best practices when posting positions designated for Indigenous candidates.

Based on the work done during this pilot project, new posting language (see below) regarding preferential hiring has been drafted and the University will also be working through some of the steps needed to finalize an appropriate process. In doing so, members of the Indigenous community on campus will be consulted, as well as external stakeholders including the Chancellor, Claudette Commanda and Board of Governor Members, Gina Wilson and Norman Odjick, and the Indigenous Education Council.

New Posting Language

Preferential Hiring of Indigenous Candidates

The hiring for this position will be done in accordance with the University’s Indigenous Action Plan, which seeks to remedy the under-representation of Indigenous faculty members. As a restricted hiring opportunity, and as provided in the provisions for a special program described by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, applicants must demonstrate in their application materials that they are eligible to be included in the category of Indigenous persons and will be asked to complete a confidential questionnaire at the time of submitting an application.

Required Skills:

  • Preference will be given to applicants whose research and teaching praxes reflect an existing and ongoing relationship to legally recognized and inherent Indigenous nations, communities and/or organizations (non-profit, health and wellness, educational sectors, etc.), or artistic and heritage organizations (museums, galleries, theatre, etc.).

Application Package:

  • A letter of recommendation from a member of a recognized community, a community or organization with whom the applicant has worked, attesting to their adherence to Indigenous protocols around research methods and praxes;

OR

  • A letter of recommendation from a traditional knowledge keeper or community leader/member with whom the candidate has worked attesting the candidate’s experience of teaching and researching in partnership with an Indigenous community;

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Indigenous Affirmation

We pay respect to the Algonquin people, who are the traditional guardians of this land. We acknowledge their longstanding relationship with this territory, which remains unceded. 

We pay respect to all Indigenous people in this region, from all nations across Canada, who call Ottawa home. 

We acknowledge the traditional knowledge keepers, both young and old. And we honour their courageous leaders: past, present, and future. 

Learn more about the Indigenous Affirmation.