Assistant/Associate Professor, Indigenous Education, Faculty of Education

The Faculty of Education at York University invites highly qualified applicants for an Assistant or Associate Professor position in Indigenous Education. This is a tenure-track appointment to the Professorial Stream to commence January 1, 2026.

Recognizing the underrepresentation of Indigenous faculty, this position is open only to qualified scholars who identify as Indigenous peoples of Canada (i.e., First Nations, Inuit, Métis, or registered to a US First Nation whose homelands straddle the colonial Canada/US border). The appointment is part of the University’s Affirmative Action program, which is based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code. To be considered, applicants must identify as Indigenous peoples of Canada on the Affirmative Action self-identification form (see below).

 York University is committed to providing an inviting, rich and supportive work, study and research environment to Indigenous students, staff and faculty members. This includes: cultivating understanding of, respect for and connections with Indigenous communities; integrating Indigenous cultures, approaches and perspectives into curricular offerings and research; collaborating with Indigenous communities; and supporting the recruitment and success of Indigenous students, staff and faculty members. These efforts are guided by the Assistant Vice-President Indigenous Initiatives, the Indigenous Council, and the Indigenous Framework for York University and include the Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages, the Centre for Aboriginal Student Services and Skennen'kó:wa Gamig, a space for Indigenous faculty, staff, and students.

The Faculty of Education is one of the leading faculties of education in Canada with a particular focus on research with social impact. Through our research, scholarship and innovative programs we enact our mission of reinventing education for a diverse, complex world.

The Faculty of Education is seeking to hire an emerging or established scholar and educator who will contribute to teaching, and research in, one or more of the following specific areas: Indigenous education sovereignty; the ongoing legacy of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and Indigenous futurities; Indigenous conceptualizations of Land and place-based pedagogies; language and cultural revitalization; and Indigenous teacher education. The successful candidate will primarily teach and contribute to Wüléelham, the Indigenous-focused courses, cohorts and programs, including graduate student supervision, the Waaban Indigenous Teacher Education program, and the Master of Education (MEd) - Urban Indigenous Education Cohort (https://www.yorku.ca/edu/students/wuleelham/).  

Relationships and reciprocity are core tenets of the programs. As the Waaban and MEd Indigenous cohorts are offered both at the Keele campus, and at the Urban Indigenous Education Centre (16 Phin Ave, Toronto East-End), the candidate will also be responsible for fostering a positive working relationship with staff and administrators in both an urban Indigenous community context and on-campus.

Candidate Qualifications:

• Degree: PhD or PhD near completion by the appointment’s start in Education or a related field is required.
• Scholarship:
  • A coherent and well-articulated program of research and/or research creation and specialization in Indigenous education sovereignty; the ongoing legacy of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and Indigenous futurities; Indigenous conceptualizations of Land and place-based pedagogies; language and cultural revitalization; and Indigenous teacher education.
  • A record or evident promise of generating innovative, substantive, rigorous, and as appropriate, externally funded research and/or research creation.
  • A record or evident promise of making influential contributions and demonstrating excellence in the field (e.g. publications in key journals, major presentations, awards and accolades).
• Teaching:
  • A record or evident promise of excellence in teaching and dedication to students (g., teaching accomplishments, pedagogical innovations, student and peer evaluations).
  • Demonstrated experience working with and understanding complex needs of Indigenous learners, ie. cultural, trauma-informed, socio-dynamic, fostering of care while also setting healthy boundaries.
  • Understanding how to foster personal well-being and wellness in supporting Indigenous learners through relational and culturally relevant pedagogies.
  • Suitability for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, given that the position will involve graduate teaching and supervision.

Hiring Policies:

• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
• York is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, in its community. Details of the AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here or by contacting Aqsa Ahmed, EDI Program Manager ([email protected]) .
• York welcomes and employs scholars from all over the world. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to contact [email protected].

Application Process:

• Due date for completed applications: September 5, 2025.
• Required materials: 1) current CV; 2) cover letter; 3) a statement of research and teaching interests; 4) teaching evaluations; and 5) the names and contact information of three professional references.
• Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action purposes as part of the online application.
• Direct questions about the position to Chair, Search Committee at [email protected]
• Submit materials: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ED_IND

Learn More About York:

• York University generates and shares knowledge through our research, teaching and engagement with communities around the world. The 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan showcases the depth, breadth and ambition of research at York.
• York’s commitments to social justice are laid out in our Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, the Framework & Action Plan on Black Inclusion and the Indigenous Framework for York University.
• Follow the activities and accomplishments of York’s faculty, students and staff on YFile.

York University acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.