Chair, Metis Research

Métis Nation of Ontario View all jobs

  • Sault Ste Marie, ON
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 day ago
About the Role:The Chair in Métis Studies provides scholarly, cultural, and strategic leadership that advances the Powley Institute’s mandate as a Métis-governed centre of excellence in research, education, and knowledge mobilization. This role leads a sustained program of high-impact, community-rooted research that strengthens Métis self-determination, rights, and cultural resurgence. Through mentorship, partnership development, and public scholarship, the Chair elevates Métis perspectives within academic, policy, and community contexts, while ensuring all research activities uphold Métis ethical frameworks, data sovereignty, and community accountability. The position serves as a national anchor for Métis scholarship and contributes directly to the Métis Nation of Ontario’s purpose of protecting, promoting, and advancing Métis identity, culture, and governance. This role reports to the Powley Institute's Manager.What you will be doing:
  • Provide intellectual and cultural leadership by developing and sustaining a Métis-led research program that advances Métis rights, history, governance, and contemporary priorities.
  • Lead high-impact research initiatives using Métis methodologies, ethical frameworks, and Indigenous data sovereignty principles, ensuring all work is accountable to Métis communities.
  • Secure and steward research funding, including tri-council grants, Indigenous research programs, and partnership-based funding that supports long-term research capacity.
  • Mentor and support emerging Métis scholars, students, artists, and community researchers, fostering a vibrant research culture and building future leadership.
  • Strengthen partnerships with universities, colleges, research networks, and Indigenous organizations, positioning the Powley Institute as a national hub for Métis scholarship.
  • Lead knowledge-mobilization activities, including publications, public lectures, symposia, community gatherings, and culturally grounded dissemination of research findings.
  • Collaborate with the Manager and senior leadership to align research priorities with the Institute’s strategic direction, governance structures, and community-driven mandates.
  • Contribute to the Institute’s cultural, archival, and educational initiatives, supporting exhibitions, publishing, curriculum development, and the preservation and transmission of Métis knowledge.
  • Promotes the values of the organization within the workplace and in the community by demonstrating positive and professional relationships with others (employees, citizens, council, volunteers, advocates, etc.)
  • Reports all unsafe conditions, hazards or practices, accidents and incidents in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and adheres to all Health and Safety requirements within the MNO’s policies and procedures and provincial legislation.
  • Performs other job/branch-related duties as required.
Qualifications:
  • PhD/MD
  • 3 to 5 years of experience
  • Extensive research experience demonstrated through a strong record of peer-reviewed publications, community-rooted scholarship, or equivalent contributions to Métis or Indigenous Studies.
  • Proven experience leading major research projects or programs, including securing funding, managing research teams, and delivering high-impact outcomes.
  • Experience working collaboratively with Métis communities, Elders, Knowledge Holders, or Indigenous organizations, demonstrating relational accountability and culturally grounded research practice.
  • Experience mentoring or supervising students, emerging scholars, or community researchers, supporting capacity building and the development of Métis research leadership.
  • Experience developing and maintaining academic or community partnerships, including collaborations with universities, colleges, research networks, or cultural institutions.
  • Expert knowledge of Métis history, rights, governance, and contemporary policy landscapes, with the ability to lead research that advances Métis self-determination and community priorities.
  • Deep understanding of Indigenous and Métis research methodologies, including community-based research, ethical protocols, and Indigenous data sovereignty principles.
  • Strong scholarly leadership and research excellence, demonstrated through a record of publications, grant success, and contributions to national or international academic discourse.
  • Advanced relationship-building and partnership skills, particularly with Métis communities, universities, research networks, and Indigenous organizations.
  • Exceptional communication and knowledge-mobilization skills, with the ability to translate complex research into accessible, culturally grounded publications, presentations, and public scholarship.

Métis Nation of Ontario