Ville : Surrey, BC

Catégorie : 6050-Academic & Career Advancement Admin

Industrie : Education

Employeur : Kwantlen Polytechnic University - KPU

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

This role reports to the Coordinator of KPU Wild Spaces.

SUMMARY

KPU Wild Spaces is an interdisciplinary teaching and learning hub that focuses on ecological place-based education in post-secondary, supported by the Teaching and Learning Commons. Our team of faculty, staff and students explore intentional outdoor learning at and near the campuses of Kwantlen Polytechnic University. This includes Cougar Creek, KPU Farm, Watershed Park, Delta Nature Reserve, and Logan Creek in Langley. Respect, responsibility and reciprocity are some of our guiding principles, and we recognize that our work is being done on the unceded, traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples. Indigenous ways of knowing and accessibility are priorities for Wild Spaces.

The student researchers will engage with a particular place at or near a KPU campus, in developing resources and capacity for decolonization work at KPU.

The hope is for the student to research and share (where appropriate) cultural and ecological Indigenous knowledge connected to one or more places on qw̓ ɑ:nƛ̓ ə̓ n̓ (Kwantlen), xwməθkwəyə̓ m (Musqueam), qi̓ cə̓ y̓ (Katzie), SEMYOME (Semiahmoo), scə̓ waθən (Tsawwassen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), and/or kwikwəƛə̓ m (Kwikwetlem) territories. The student will have direct input into which land/place/territory they engage with, and the manner they do so. Their research will likely include spending time on these lands, speaking with elders or knowledge keepers, and exploring oral and written records. Careful protocols will be followed whenever engaging with elders and knowledge keepers. Where appropriate, this land-based knowledge can be shared on the KPU Wild Spaces website and can help inform and inspire instructors who want to take their students out onto these lands for learning.

Based on the interest of the student, they may also help host dialogues and outdoor events connected to Indigenous ways of understanding and holistic learning, and may contribute to two confirmed KPU projects: (a) WordPress site focused on Indigenous resources, and decolonizing teaching and other practices at KPU (fall 2024), and (b) WordPress site and workshop focused on “Place-based Learning with an Indigenous Lens” (spring 2025).
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend biweekly meetings with supervisor.
• Attend meetings with the larger KPU Wild Spaces team, usually on Zoom/Teams.
• Familiarity with and/or an appreciation for Indigenous ways of understanding.
• Gather land-based knowledge and share (where appropriate) on KPU Wild Spaces website, blog posts, and/or at a KPU event.
• Consult with Indigenous elders, knowledge keepers, and/or community members.
• Be a clear communicator and respond promptly to emails and requests.
• Be self-disciplined and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Be a team player, and help co-create this project. Your ideas will be welcome!

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be able to commute to the KPU campuses.
• We invite candidates to apply who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) and who can demonstrate through lived experience the knowledge of Indigenous culture, traditions and values.
• Be currently registered as a KPU student.
• Familiarity with storytelling, land-based learning, decolonization, and/or traditional ecological knowledge would be an asset.

The posting is for KPU students only

*Salary Information  

Anticipated hourly pay rate: $21.05

Does this role sound like it was made for you, yet you don’t check every box?

We at KPU understand that experiences and qualifications may look differently for everyone and, if this job description is of interest to you, we encourage you to apply.

Note to Applicants:

Kwantlen Polytechnic University welcomes and encourages applications from equity deserving groups and diverse experiences including, but not limited to, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community.

If there are any barriers that you are experiencing or an accommodation that we can provide to support you through the application process, please reach out to us at humanresources@kpu.ca.

We thank all applicants for their interest in employment with KPU. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of employees, students, and the general public, and upholding the reputation and integrity of the University. For this reason, final applicants will be asked to undergo a background check.