Archivist, Indigenous Collections, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

Location: Saskatoon, SK
Compensation: Base salary range $83,150 to $99,945

As one of Canada's leading research libraries, the University Library serves as the intellectual hub of USask, providing resources, services, and spaces that facilitate inquiry, discovery, and knowledge creation. Our Strategic Framework focuses on building scholars and decolonizing the library. The University Library is committed to developing welcoming, responsive, and accessible services and resources to support our diverse clientele, with a strategic focus on Indigenous peoples.

The University Library has a robust digital library and is physically distributed across six locations on campus to support the learning, teaching, and research communities. We are structured into four functional divisions: Collections and Discovery, Learning & Curriculum Support, Research Support Services, University Archives and Special Collections. For more information, visit the University Library website.

About University Archives and Special Collections

University Archives and Special Collections (UASC) constitutes the official memory of the University of Saskatchewan and represents the accumulated experience of this community that has greatly contributed to the history and development of Saskatchewan. The collections mandate for UASC is focused on the acquisition, preservation, and accessibility of permanently valuable records of the University of Saskatchewan; and of books, journals, manuscripts, archival collections and printed ephemera of a rare, valuable or regional nature. The collections include materials relating to Saskatchewan, Western Canada, and the University of Saskatchewan, including works by university authors. Primary source Indigenous-related collections at UASC include records of faculty and other researchers who have studied Indigenous peoples and their history; records of university units such as the former Institute for Northern Studies; records relating to genealogy, land claims and treaty rights; records relating to Indigenous art and artists; and records of a few Indigenous individuals and families.

About the University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a city with a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community, and a full range of leisure opportunities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 25,000.

About Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a city with a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community and a full range of leisure opportunities. The city's arts and cultural scene includes the Remai Modern Art Gallery, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, two independent movie theatres (Broadway Theatre and Roxy Theatre), Persephone Theatre, the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, and Wanuskewin Heritage Park. The city has a diversity of restaurants, including two that were on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants list last year, and several local breweries and distilleries. Our city also offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as classes, recreational leagues, and semi-professional sporting events. If you are an outdoors person, you will enjoy the camping and fishing in northern Saskatchewan, which is world-class, as well as public walking/biking trails all along the South Saskatchewan river. Saskatoon is a very liveable city with short commute times and apartment rental and house prices that are lower than many other places in the country.  

Description and Duties    

Qualified Indigenous candidates are invited to apply for a full-time, three-year term (non-tenure track) archivist position with University Archives and Special Collections, University Library (UASC). The successful candidate will bring their experience and expertise to the work of developing and implementing an Indigenous and decolonized approach to Indigenous-related collections with the UASC team.

UASC acknowledges that the Saskatoon campus of the University of Saskatchewan is on Treaty Six Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis, Cree, Saulteaux and Dakota Nations. We pay our respects to the First Nation and Métis ancestors of this place, reaffirm the foundation of our relationships, and make a commitment to conciliation. All are invited and welcomed to help us transform words into action.

Guided by the Canadian archival community's response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action through the Steering Committee on Canada's Archives' Reconciliation Framework, respect for Indigenous Peoples' intellectual sovereignty over archival materials created by or about Indigenous Peoples is at the heart of UASC's efforts. UASC's focus on decolonizing our collections is part of the University Library's fundamental goal to work towards Indigenization and decolonization of the library (Strategic Framework 2018-2025); and supports ohpahotân I oohpaahotaan, the University of Saskatchewan's Indigenous Strategy.

Reporting to the Dean through the University Archives and Special Collections division, the successful candidate will provide leadership and collaborate in advancing UASC decolonization efforts. We recognize that the knowledge and experience of the successful candidate, as well as the process of building relationships with First Nation and Métis communities, could take us in new directions, and that decolonization is an ongoing process. Priorities currently identified for UASC's decolonization efforts include the following activities:

• survey of UASC collections to identify records created by and about Indigenous Peoples
• working with Indigenous-related collections and records to improve UASC's understanding of its responsibilities with these holdings, facilitate community and research access, etc.
• development of relationships with First Nation and Métis communities whose records are represented in UASC collections, documented through stewardship agreements or MOUs
• establishment of protocols for access to and use of Indigenous related records   
• reparative description, especially relating to digital projects and online descriptions
• development of an ongoing plan for further progress on Indigenization and decolonization

Qualifications    

Applications are invited from candidates with post-secondary education combined with relevant experience with Indigenous archives or libraries; and candidates with a Master of Archival Science degree, Master of Library and Information Science degree or equivalent degree. Experience working with Indigenous archives/libraries as well as experience as a professional archivist or librarian are highly desired assets. Candidates nearing completion of relevant degrees are also encouraged to apply.

Only Indigenous candidates will be considered for this position. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Please see details below.

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate:

• Understanding of ways in which Indigenous knowledge can be woven into a post-secondary education setting
• Experience building effective working relationships with institutional and external colleagues/communities
• Familiarity with Indigenous communities and history on the prairies
• Asset: Experience working in post-secondary education or an academic archives/library
• Asset: Knowledge of and experience with archival descriptive standards and practices
• Asset: Knowledge of and experience with Indigenous data sovereignty and/or decolonization of archives
• Asset: Project management skills and experience

It is anticipated that this position will be filled at the assistant or associate rank. Starting salary will be calculated from the base salary with consideration given for previous relevant experience.

Salary bands for this position for the 2022-2023 academic year are as follows:

• Assistant Librarian: $83,150 to $99,945;
• Associate Librarian: $99,945 to $120,099

This position includes a comprehensive benefits package which includes a dental, health and extended vision care plan; pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic long-term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefits, an employee assistance program, a professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending program.

This position is located on-site in Saskatoon, but faculty are eligible for hybrid work under the terms of University of Saskatchewan's Alternative Workspace Guidelines.

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and is proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request.

We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthening these relationships. Only Indigenous candidates will be considered for this position. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship with documentation is a condition of employment and a requirement to hold this position and the successful candidate must maintain those conditions throughout their employment.

The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter highlighting qualifications and accomplishments, as well as a detailed curriculum vitae, addressed to:  

Charlene Sorensen, MLIS
Interim Dean, University Library
University of Saskatchewan
Email: library.jobs@usask.ca

Due to federal immigration requirements, we also ask candidates to indicate whether they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or are otherwise already authorized to work at this position for the duration of the appointment, with an explanation if this last category is indicated.

Application Webpage (URL)   

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin February 26, 2024; however, applications will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is July 2024 or later.