Manager, Indigenous Initiatives

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The university encourages applications from equity‑deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Mtis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2

SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experience as people from these groups and with experience working with the communities served by the university.

• Provide one of the following documents: a valid membership card or documentation from a recognized First Nations, Inuit or Mtis community or nation; an official verification letter from a recognized First Nations, Inuit or Mtis community or nation; or contact details for an Administrator from a recognized community or nation who can confirm membership.

The Manager, Indigenous Initiatives will serve as a key leadership role in advancing Indigenous student success, strengthening reciprocal community relationships, and supporting the law school’s commitments to reconciliation and Indigenous legal education. Reporting to the Assistant Dean, Student Programming and Equity, the Manager will design and deliver culturally grounded programming, provide direct student support, and contribute to institutional strategy in collaboration with senior leadership.

• Provides culturally grounded advising, advocacy, and programming that supports Indigenous students’ academic success, wellness, retention, and transitions to licensure, including articling, IPC placements, and professional networks.
• Designs and delivers co‑curricular initiatives rooted in Indigenous legal traditions, governance frameworks, and community protocols, including mentorship, wellness, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Builds and sustains reciprocal relationships with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, Nations, legal practitioners, and community organizations, ensuring programming remains accountable to Indigenous‑led frameworks and priorities.
• Supports faculty and administrative partners in developing community‑based and land‑based learning opportunities that deepen Indigenous legal education within the law school.
• Advises senior leadership and relevant committees on matters of Indigenous student experience, access pathways, retention, and institutional accountability.
• Collaborates with Admissions, Career Development and Professional Placements, and university partners to strengthen culturally safe outreach, professional transitions, and Indigenous student pathways.
• Contributes to the long‑term sustainability of Indigenous legal education through strategic planning, funding development, and partnership cultivation aligned with community priorities.
• Provides guidance on the respectful integration of Indigenous protocols and representation within law school events, programming, and institutional practices.

• Completion of a Juris Doctor (JD or LL.B.) and a master’s degree in Indigenous Studies, Public Policy, Higher Education, Law, Community Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of graduate education and relevant experience.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience delivering Indigenous‑focused programming, student support, or community initiatives within post‑secondary, legal, or community settings, including experience supporting Indigenous student pathways to higher education, law school, or professional licensure.
• Knowledge of Indigenous governance frameworks, legal traditions, and community protocols relevant to supporting Indigenous students and advancing Indigenous legal education.
• Experience designing and delivering initiatives informed by Indigenous cultural safety principles, trauma‑informed practices, and community‑led approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Nations, legal professionals, and community partners.
• Experience supporting Indigenous students with transitions, wellness, retention, and pathways to professional practice, including mentorship, networking, and licensure pathways (e.g., articling or Law Society requirements).
• Strong ability to collaborate across institutional teams and navigate complex post‑secondary or legal environments with diplomacy and cultural integrity.
• Experience supervising staff or providing leadership within complex or unionized environments is considered an asset.