Foothills Library Association

Indigenous Initiatives Librarian

McGill University

Montréal, QC

Closing Date: November 28, 2026

Position Type: Assistant or Associate Librarian (tenure track), three years with possibility of renewal

Link to Apply

Position Details

McGill University is committed to building relationships with Indigenous communities and individuals and advancing the ongoing work of truth and reconciliation. To that end, we are hiring an Indigenous Initiatives Librarian to join the McGill Libraries team and bring additional experience to a staff that already provide a number of Indigenous-focused services.

This position, for an individual with experience working with Indigenous communities or organizations, is offered with multiple options for the job portfolio.

The portfolio for this position will be selected from the following list. Candidates should identify three to four areas of interest from the list below in their application materials.
Part of the job interview will involve mutually exploring the selected areas of interest and meeting with stakeholders from those areas. A more targeted job description will be developed to meet the strengths and interests of the candidate as discussed in the interview, with a written statement of job duties to be negotiated as part of the hiring offer. Reporting line will be dependent on the selected portfolio and will also be documented in the hiring offer.

Possible duties for inclusion in the job portfolio:

  • Collaborate with librarians supporting the schools of Social Work, Education, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Continuing Education to provide course instruction and collection development, as they pertain to the Indigenization of professional training.
  • Collaborate with librarians supporting faculties with Indigenous-related programs of study and research centres, such as the Indigenous Studies Minor, the ad-hoc MA and Ph.D. program, and the Institute for Indigenous Research and Knowledges, to provide research support, course instruction, and collection development on Indigenous topics.
  • In collaboration with other Libraries’ staff, develop projects and programming related to Indigenous peoples, languages, and cultures, to support Indigenous faculty, staff, students, and community members. Lead these efforts as assigned.
  • Participate in collaborative Indigenous event and exhibition planning, in conjunction with the Exhibition Program Committee and the Libraries’ Events Team. Lead these efforts as assigned.
  • Increase discoverability and access for library materials relating to Indigenous topics.
  • Provide guidance and leadership to Libraries’ staff to advance integration of Indigenous epistemologies, pedagogies, and ways of knowing into Library resources, polices, services, and spaces.
  • Maintain relationships with Indigenous members of the McGill, Montreal, and Quebec communities, include the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, the Onkwehón:we Advisory Council, First People’s House, and proximate Indigenous communities.
  • Chair or be a member of the Libraries’ Indigenous Initiatives Committee.
  • Participate in ceremonial gatherings or cultural activities in community of origin or communities proximate to Montreal.

The following more general job duties also apply:

  • Maintain current awareness of emerging technologies and developments in the library, education, and information environments and develop possible responses.
  • Serve on various library, faculty and university committees. Represent the Libraries on university and external committees, as required.
  • Engage in scholarly activities and professional service and develop a dossier for promotion and tenure, consistent with University Regulations.
  • Advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility as well as reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through the McGill University Libraries’ services and of the Libraries as a workplace.
  • The duties listed above are representative and not exhaustive; responsibilities may evolve in response to institutional and library needs.

Selection Criteria and Application Procedure

Required:

  • A Master’s degree in Library or Information Studies (MLIS, MIS or MI) or equivalent. Candidates who are scheduled to receive their qualifying degree by May 2027 will be considered.
  • Experience working with Indigenous communities or organizations is required, with lived experience within a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis community a strong asset. Together, these experiences are vital to understanding the lived realities of Indigenous students and to fostering cultural safety within this position. Hiring will be subject to verification of Indigenous identity as described in McGill’s Policy on Indigenous Membership/Citizenship Validation.
  • Cultural fluency with Indigenous world views, cultures, and values, and recognition of their distinctiveness.
  • Knowledge, understanding, and/or experience of Indigenous scholarship, epistemologies, pedagogies, and ways of knowing in what is now called Canada.
  • User-focused orientation in provision of library services.
  • Sound information and communication technology skills.
  • Excellent organizational, user service, and teamwork skills.
  • High level of professionalism, a commitment to the organization and its mission, and the ability to work flexibly in a changing environment.
  • Ability to understand and respond to priorities and trends in the Library and University environments.
  • Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility of services or work environment. Knowledge of the history of Indigenous communities in Canada, including residential schools, and commitment to reconciliation.
  • Fluency in oral and written English is required.

Desired:

  • Professional experience serving library users in an academic setting.
  • Familiarity with, or training in, OCAP, the First Nations Principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession.
  • Oral and written abilities in French.

The McGill Libraries are committed to advancing open, equitable, and sustainable research practices and welcomes candidates who will contribute to these priorities.

Applications should address the above selection criteria, be accompanied by:

  • a letter of interest, identifying three to four areas of interest from the list of job duties
  • a curriculum vitae,
  • the names and addresses of three referees.  

*** Applicants are encouraged to indicate any accommodation needs related to job duties.

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.