Call for Expressions of Interest: Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research

In 2022, Canada’s three federal research funding agencies (the agencies)—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and SSHRC—and the Canada Foundation for Innovation launched the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research. The Leadership Circle advises the presidents of the four organizations in implementing the Canada Research Coordinating Committee’s (CRCC) strategic plan, Setting new directions to support Indigenous research and research training in Canada. The group’s creation aligns with the CRCC’s commitment to increasing the capacity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to lead their own research and collaborate with the broader research community.

Current members of the Leadership Circle include First Nations, Inuit and Métis academics at various career stages and from a variety of research communities, including postsecondary institutions and Indigenous not-for-profit organizations with a research mandate.

The Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research is now seeking new members who have a deep understanding of Indigenous research and who are interested in contributing to improving the research landscape for Indigenous researchers in Canada. While all expressions of interest are welcome, this particular call is intended to recruit Inuit candidates, Francophone candidates, and candidates from Atlantic nations (including urban, rural, northern, and on/off-reserve Indigenous Peoples).

Objectives

Members of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research provide advice and guidance at the tri-agency level, and help advance the strategic plan’s four strategic directions:

• building relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples;
• supporting research priorities of Indigenous Peoples;
• creating greater funding accessibility to granting agency programs; and
• championing Indigenous leadership, self-determination and capacity building in research.

The Leadership Circle is mainly responsible for:

• monitoring progress of the strategic plan’s implementation;
• identifying issues and opportunities, and recommending solutions, to support the four organizations in implementing the strategic plan; and
• providing advice and direction on other Indigenous matters that may have an impact on other areas of the four organizations’ business (as required).

Time commitment

Leadership Circle members meet four times annually, including one in-person meeting at locations throughout Canada and three meetings by tele- or video-conference. New members will serve a term of two years, renewable twice.

Compensation

Service as a Leadership Circle member is voluntary. Expenses incurred to attend in-person meetings will be reimbursed at Government of Canada rates.

Review process

Members will be selected via the current members of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research, in collaboration with the tri-agency, who will identify new membership needs in a way that considers:

• current composition of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research;
• sufficient diversity to reflect First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada (including the perspectives of urban, rural, northern, and on/off-reserve Indigenous Peoples);
• preference will be given to Inuit candidates, Francophone candidates, and candidates from Atlantic nations (including urban, rural, northern, and on/off-reserve Indigenous Peoples);
• different levels of experience and expertise (community and academic);
• commitment to enhancing Indigenous languages, knowledges, cultural, land, and/or water-based practices;
• breadth across the agencies’ mandate areas;
• gender equity and sexual diversity; and
• geography.

How to apply

Submit the following to show interest in being considered for membership.

• A two- to three-page freeform document that:
  • confirms you are of Indigenous ancestry;
  • outlines the experiences and perspectives you have that would contribute to the mandate of the Leadership Circle;
  • outlines your contributions to Indigenous languages, knowledges, cultural practices, ceremonies, land, and/or water-based practices; and
  • explains how being part of the Leadership Circle would benefit you and your community (see this definition of “community”), collective and/or organization.
• A signed letter of support from your community/nation that describes your lived experience with research and your involvement/role within the community.

Shortlisted candidates

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a brief online interview with the ILCR Membership Selection Committee during the first week of December 2024. Please indicate three meeting dates/times for your availability in your application package should you be shortlisted.

Please note that candidates invited to join the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research will need to comply with the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation.

Email all documents to Indigenous-Autochtone@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca, with the subject “Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research.”

The deadline for applications is December 5, 2024, 11:59pm Eastern. No late applications will be accepted.