Tenure-Track, Assistant or Associate Professor, Mi’kmaw/Indigenous Scholar

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Mi’kmaw / Indigenous Scholar Position
Tenure Stream

Position #: 60001

PJILA’SI! WELCOME!
Acadia University acknowledges that we are on the unceded, un-surrendered ancestral and present-day lands of the Mi’kmaw nation called Mi’kma’ki. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship, which the Mi’kmaq, Wəlastəkwiyik, and Peskotomuhkatiyik nations first signed with the British Crown in 1726. These treaties did not implicate or affirm the surrender or transfer of land to the British, but recognized Mi’kmaq title and set the rules for what was to be a long-standing relationship between nations. Acknowledging the land that we are on is a first step towards decolonization across campus. We recognize that decolonization and Indigenization of the academy requires work, and we are committed to taking direction on what needs to be done from the Mi’kmaw nation working closely with a range of Indigenous Elders, community leaders and campus members to advance the aspirations of Indigenous students, scholars and staff, and to support Indigenous-driven collaborative opportunities. An important part of this work requires a greater representation of Indigenous faculty.
Acadia University is seeking an interested Indigenous expert or scholar to fill a tenure track position. The successful candidate will start as an Assistant or Associate Professor to commence on July 1, 2025, or an agreeable start date thereafter.
As part of our strategic priority to advance reconciliation, this is a focused search for an Indigenous scholar. Preference will be given to Mi’kmaw individuals from across Mi’kma’ki. Acadia encourages applications from all qualified candidates in these groups, persons with disabilities; visible minorities; women; persons of any minority sexuality, gender identity or gender expression; and all intersections of these identities and other equity-deserving groups. Acadia embraces the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion as fundamental in creating an expansive academic environment and champions diverse knowledge systems as pillars of academic excellence. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents shall be given priority.

QUALIFICATIONS
The hiring committee encourages Mi’kmaq and Indigenous Peoples with varied academic, professional, and/or lived experiences to apply. We respect diverse Indigenous worldviews; recognize the value of the ever-evolving Indigenous knowledge forms and ways of being; acknowledge the importance of community relationships and lived experience; and support Indigenous research methodologies and pedagogies.

We welcome applications from: Elders and Knowledge Keepers with experience in research, teaching/mentoring, and community engagement, with or without formal post-secondary credentials; individuals with substantial community and/or professional experience in combination with a graduate degree (i.e., Masters-level); and applicants who hold standard academic qualifications (i.e., PhD or terminal degree) within a particular discipline.

AREAS OF OPPORTUNITIES
We welcome candidates who see their work, research, and/or professional experiences and background within the following departments and units at Acadia University:
• Faculty of Arts ( https://arts.acadiau.ca/welcome.html) : Environment & Sustainability Studies; History & Classics; and Politics/Law and Society/Sociology.

• Faculty of Professional Studies (https://professionalstudies.acadiau.ca/home.html) : Community Development; and Kinesiology.

• Faculty of Pure and Applied Science (https://science.acadiau.ca/science-welcome.html) : Biology; Computer Science; Earth and Environmental Science; Nutrition and Dietetics; Physics; and Psychology.

While all applicants who fit within the departments and/or disciplines above will be considered, candidates who work in the following broad areas will be prioritized:
· Astrophysics, astronomy, or cosmology
· Biodiversity and ecology
· Computer science, including human-computer interactions and Indigenous use of technology
· Culture and ecology
· Decolonization and community development
· Ecological justice
· Environmental geoscience, including geomorphology and surficial geology, hydrogeology, and geospatial analysis
· Environmental risk assessment, resource development and land use change, and ecosystem restoration
· Food justice and sustainability
· Genetics and evolution
· Health sciences
· Indigenization of sciences
· Indigenous history in what is now called Canada
· Indigenous knowledge systems, spirituality, and environmental relations
· Indigenous law, politics, and society
· Indigenous research methodologies
· Physical activity, sport, and health
· Psychological sciences

HOW TO APPLY
Applications should include the following:
• a cover letter that includes the position number, relevant employment, research, teaching, and/or service contributions, and states the academic unit(s) for which you would like to be considered and the research/study area above (if applicable);
• a positionality statement, outlining identity, membership and community relations;
• a current curriculum vitae.
• a statement about future scholarly activities plans, including, if applicable, community-based and community-led initiatives and service;
• a statement on teaching philosophy; and
• the names of three references (note: letters of recommendation will be requested at a later date for shortlisted candidates).

Candidates are asked to submit their application in a single PDF document with the position number in the email heading to Faculty.Careers@AcadiaU.ca. Applications should be addressed to:

Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo
Provost and Vice-President Academic
Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada B4P 2R6
Email: Faculty.Careers@AcadiaU.ca

Applications are due April 22, 2025, by 11:59pm Atlantic.

To assist with the application process, we are pleased to provide several free drop-in sessions to connect with Zabrina Whitman, Executive Advisor on L’nu Affairs and Indigenization at Acadia University. During these sessions, Zabrina can answer question related to: the application process; the Office of L’nu Affairs and Indigenization and related supports for Indigenous faculty, staff, and students; Acadia University; and Mi’kmaq communities, cultures, and ongoing relationships with the university.

• Monday, March 17th from 1-2:30pm Atlantic – Teams Link https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZWE2ZjkxOWQtNzE0YS00M2U3LWI3ZWUtOWM3YWY5YTkzMTRl%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2238b8ccee-acfd-40eb-972e-552d7cd548a3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2236a2b873-f183-479d-85f3-50bd8dfd4ac5%22%7d

• Wednesday, April 2nd from 3-5pm Atlantic – Teams Link https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NzRiOTFmYWYtOWM2ZC00NTlmLTk1NDYtM2MyODU3NWQzMTY4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2238b8ccee-acfd-40eb-972e-552d7cd548a3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2236a2b873-f183-479d-85f3-50bd8dfd4ac5%22%7d

• Wednesday, April 9th from 5-7pm Atlantic – Teams Link https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDhiZmExNGItZjhhNC00MDQ2LWIxOGQtNGYxYzZiZTJmZDIx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2238b8ccee-acfd-40eb-972e-552d7cd548a3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2236a2b873-f183-479d-85f3-50bd8dfd4ac5%22%7d

• Wednesday, April 16th from 3-4pm Atlantic – Teams Link https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MGZkMjk5NjYtZWY3Yi00ODQ5LWI1MGItZTdiNDM1ZjNkNWY1%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2238b8ccee-acfd-40eb-972e-552d7cd548a3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2236a2b873-f183-479d-85f3-50bd8dfd4ac5%22%7d

• Wednesday, April 16th from 7-8pm Atlantic – Teams Link https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Y2I0MGUwMDEtYzFlMy00YTc0LTk3NjUtZTU1YzU3YjQwMmY1%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2238b8ccee-acfd-40eb-972e-552d7cd548a3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2236a2b873-f183-479d-85f3-50bd8dfd4ac5%22%7d

SALARY & LOCATION
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. In recognition of the importance of community, the hiring committee is open to arrangements that include a balance of on-campus and remote work.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY SURVEY
All applicants are required to submit an online Employment Equity Self-Identification Form https://survey-system.acadiau.ca/index.php/102 as part of their application package. Indigenous identity will be confirmed by the Mi’kmaw Nation in consultation with the Indigenous, Association, and Board Council. Failure to complete the form by the closing date will result in the disqualification of your application.

ACCESSIBILTY STATEMENT
Acadia University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Acadia University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that considers an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo at Provost@AcadiaU.ca.

PJILA’SI! WELCOME TO MI’KMA’KI AND TO ACADIA UNIVERSITY!
The Mi’kmaq are the first people of Nova Scotia and have been living in their homeland of Mi’kma’ki for more than 15,000 years. Mi’kma’ki includes the land now known as Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, parts of Quebec (Gaspé Peninsula), parts of Newfoundland and the northeastern part of Maine. Acadia University is located in the Sipekne’katik district of Mi’kma’ki. The closest Mi’kmaq communities to Acadia University are Annapolis Valley First Nation, Bear River First Nation (L’sitkuk), Glooscap First Nation, and Wasoqopa’q First Nation (formally known as Acadia First Nation). Approximately one hundred students who have self-identified as First Nation, Métis or Inuit attend Acadia University.

Acadia University is one of four campus members who comprise the Maple League of Universities. Each campus is built on the unceded traditional lands of Indigenous nations that comprise the Wabanaki Confederacy: the Abenaki at Bishop’s, and the Mi’kmaq at Acadia, Mount Allison, and St. Francis Xavier universities. Via the Maple League, members of the Acadia campus community have diverse opportunities to foster reciprocal relationships across institutional boundaries, providing exceptional opportunities to transform as learners, scholars, and institutions.

Acadia University is recognized as one of Canada’s premier undergraduate institutions. Academic innovation and a personalized learning environment have garnered the University a reputation for success. Situated within the stunning Annapolis Valley, Acadia University is within a short walk to the coastal shoreline of the Bay of Fundy with a view of Cape Blomidon, and with beaches and forests that are easily accessible from campus. Acadia is nestled in the Town of Wolfville, amongst orchards and vineyards in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. The area offers a small-town setting with a relaxed lifestyle and outstanding cultural and recreational opportunities. With a progressive commitment to sustainability, the region offers locally crafted artisan food and beverage with many communities embracing organic, fair trade, and farm-to-table ideals. The Annapolis Valley is home to highly developed agricultural, agri-food, biotechnology, and manufacturing industries that offer growing employment and research opportunities. Southern Nova Scotia is surrounded by ocean and therefore has an experienced fishing industry, marine research, and ocean technology companies. Halifax, which is only 50 minutes from Wolfville, provides a wide variety of opportunities and connections academically and commercially in terms of research.

Come join our dynamic team and embrace the beauties and abundance of Mi’kma’ki and the Annapolis Valley!

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