Indigenous Studies - Assistant Professor, 1-year term (Indigenous Performance Studies)

Trent University invites applications for a one-year (12-month) limited term appointment in the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at the rank of Assistant Professor, commencing August 15, 2025. This position is located at Trent’s Peterborough Campus and is subject to budgetary approval.

Trent University is the top-ranked primarily undergraduate university in Ontario, Canada with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Indigenous Studies at Trent is a multi-disciplinary area of study committed to the exploration and analysis of Indigenous experiences from Indigenous perspectives both in Canada and throughout the world.  As a multi-disciplinary area, Indigenous Studies brings together knowledge and perspectives from many disciplines, including Indigenous Knowledge, to engage in informed and grounded dialogue, discussion and research. Information about the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies is available at www.trentu.ca/indigenousstudies.

Candidates should have a Ph.D. (or be close to completion of Ph.D. by the date of appointment) in Indigenous Studies or a discipline related to Indigenous performance studies. Candidates with an equivalent combination of a Master’s degree (in Indigenous Studies or a discipline related to Indigenous performance studies) and related professional experience in Indigenous performance may also apply. The Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies welcomes applications from experienced performers or performer-researchers working in and across the field of Indigenous performance. Candidates should possess a graduate degree in areas relevant to Indigenous Performance Arts and have a strong record as a practitioner working within the field of Indigenous performance. The successful applicant will have a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and in research and/or an active and recognized performance practice. The candidate will be expected to engage in teaching practices informed by Indigenous pedagogies. This is a teaching intensive position, and responsibilities will include contributing to course delivery and curriculum development in the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies and providing service to the School.

The successful candidate will teach seven (7) half courses within the Indigenous Performance Program, including INDG 2110Y: Intro to Indigenous Theatre, INDG 1570H: Origins of Theatre, INDG 3010H: Indigenous Storytelling, Oral, Written Performance, INDG 3128H: Indigenous Science Fiction and Speculative Storytelling, and INDG 4481H: Advanced Indigenous Literature and Creative Writing.

Indigenous Performance pedagogies at Trent works within the concept that Indigenous Performance is the embodiment of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) through orality, storytelling, dance/movement, music/sound/speech, all which contribute to Indigenous theatre. IK also encourages the writing of, and performance of monologues and scenes written in collaboration by students exploring Indigenous worldviews. An interest, as well as a willingness, to include Indigenous Languages in supporting performance work.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a single PDF by email to [email protected] using the subject line “Limited Term Appointment in Indigenous Performance Studies [Applicant Name]”. Applications should include:

• Letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae (with confirmation of legal eligibility to work in Canada)
• Teaching portfolio (including student feedback, if available)
• Description of your Indigenous performance practice and teaching
• Names of three referees who have been asked to submit letters of reference directly to the Chanie Wenjack School Director at [email protected], using the subject line: “Reference - Limited Term Appointment in Indigenous Performance Studies [Applicant Name]”

Long-term ethical engagement with Indigenous communities, organizations, and institutions—and a demonstrated commitment to consensus-building relationships—is fundamental to the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies. Applicants should arrange for at least one letter of reference to specifically address their Indigenous community engagement.

Applicants may also submit a self-identification form as part of their application package.

Please address your submission to: Paula Sherman
Director, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive,
Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2 Canada.

Review of applications will begin on May 26, 2025.     

Trent University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Preference will be given to candidates from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous People (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities or racialized groups and LGBTQ2+ people.

Trent University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process or require an accessible version of a document/publication, please contact [email protected].

While all applicants are thanked for their interest and applications to this position, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

For further information about this position, please email Paula Sherman, Director, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, [email protected].