Dean, Indigenous Initiatives

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Student Experience, the Dean, Indigenous Initiatives is responsible for the strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for prioritizing infusion of Indigenous epistemologies and ways of knowing across curriculum and service areas. The position sets the vision and direction for Indigenous education and provides leadership to Red Deer Polytechnic’s institutional response and commitment to decolonization, truth and reconciliation, anti-oppressive education, and the development and organization of services and initiatives that support excellence in post-secondary Indigenous education and the success of Indigenous students at Red Deer Polytechnic ( RDP ).

The Dean is instrumental in facilitating institutional collaboration, communication and coordination in the development and implementation of programs, services and initiatives related to Indigenous engagement and indigenizing Red Deer Polytechnic. This position provides leadership as a conduit to Indigenous communities and stakeholders, including institutional stakeholders in building and maintaining relationships with these communities and stakeholders and ensures that institutional initiatives and engagement are implemented in a way that supports the strategic direction of the Polytechnic as it transitions to a Polytechnic.

The Dean is accountable for leading and developing the RDP Indigenization strategy, inclusive of identifying advancement indicators through a lens for continuous improvement. The Dean also has responsibility for the Indigenous Services department, Indigenous initiatives, and to coordinate RDP’s commitments to decolonization, Truth and Reconciliation and the Indigenous Protocol of Colleges and Institutes of Canada ( CICAN ). The Dean sets priorities and is accountable by reporting on the achievement of these priorities.

The Dean will be responsible for providing a seamless blend of programs, services, and supports that will provide prospective, new, and continuing Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, with a comprehensive experience. Working closely with faculty and staff of the Polytechnic and Indigenous communities, this position will ensure that communication is open and effective, so student’s needs are best served. This position is responsible for the development and implementation of the institutional Indigenous plans, strategies, goals, actions, measures, and ongoing annual continuous improvement.

The Dean works in partnership with RDP Schools and service departments and is responsible for developing relationships and partnerships with Indigenous communities, community service and support agencies, school divisions, current and prospective Indigenous students and other Indigenous educational stakeholders in support of the recruitment, support, and success of Indigenous students at RDP.

• Provide vision and direction to the institution by influencing the infusion of Indigenous epistemologies and way of knowing across the curriculum, services and support areas. This is achieved through annual planning and implementation of strategies that support the overarching institutional direction and priorities
• Participate in the development of the overall educational philosophy of the Polytechnic, contributes to institution-wide planning, decision-making and administration, and communicates the Indigenous education vision and strategic plans to all faculty and staff
• Define short and long-term plans for Indigenous education and identifies and removes any barriers to execution including ensuring the appropriate resources are available to meet these objectives

• Develop mutually supportive and productive relationships with Indigenous communities, community service and support agencies, school divisions, Indigenous students and other Indigenous educational stakeholders to identify, plan, establish and implement partnerships, services and supports that meet the evolving needs of Indigenous students at RDP
• Represent Red Deer Polytechnic while interacting with Indigenous communities
• Build close relationships with Indigenous Elders from various communities and create meaningful opportunities for Elders to participate in the lives of RDP students
• Establish an Indigenous Education Advisory Committee for the institution that includes both internal and external stakeholders
• Work closely with internal and external services and community organizations to establish a network of services and support focused on the success of Indigenous students at RDP
• Facilitate communication among and within the Polytechnic community
• Stay abreast of scholarship, programming, partnerships, and relevant current events across the institution, provincially and nationally
• Develop, lead, and implement the Indigenous Strategic Plan for RDP that establishes institutional priorities related to Indigenous education, and services and supports for Indigenous…