Current job opportunities

The goal of the Program is to develop ways for Indigenous nations across Canada to represent their own history and culture in concert with cultural institutions.

The Indigenous Internship Program offers professional and technical training for First Nations, Métis and Inuit participants. It is the first and most comprehensive program of its kind in Canada. The goal of the Program is to develop ways for Indigenous nations across Canada to represent their own history and culture in concert with cultural institutions.

Since 1993, the Program has welcomed interns from over 40 different Indigenous nations across Canada. Graduates have gone on to become role models and advocates in museum and cultural sectors.

The Program also works with a variety of affiliates and stakeholders such as Indigenous agencies, national museums, the federal government, local colleges and universities, provincial museums, Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Conservation Institute, and the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres, as well as Indigenous museums, libraries, cultural centres, and cultural tourism ventures.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

January – April 2024: Apply by November 24, 2023
September – December 2024: Apply by June 28, 2024

OVERVIEW

The Canadian Museum of History’s Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) is seeking project proposals from First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals for combined in-person and online internship projects that use the Museum’s collections, archives and staff expertise.

Eligible applicants are invited to submit a concise project proposal for a hybrid internship experience comprising both in-person and online work that will provide up to four participants with insights and training into contemporary museum best practices.

TIMING

The internship period will span Autumn 2022 to Spring 2023. Timing is flexible to support the participants’ individual interests, goals and availabilities.

During the on-site portions of their internships, participants will have access to Museum resources in support of their specific project goals, and will be mentored in core museum functions including:

• collections management and care;
• research methodologies; and
• exhibitions and program development.

Proposed hybrid internship start date: on or after January 2024, and on or after September 2024

CONTEXT

While ongoing, pandemic-related disruptions prevent the offer of the Museum’s usual in-person IIP experience, the Museum remains committed to the Program and is undertaking a hybrid internship model this year as a pilot project. A Museum steering committee will review and select up to four successful projects from among the proposals received, based on criteria of creativity, innovation and applicability to the Museum’s mandate as Canada’s national museum of human history. Due to the hybrid nature of this internship, applicants are encouraged to focus on the following areas for projects, as they can be completed virtually as well as in person: oral histories, Indigenous languages, Indigenous music and song traditions, graphic arts, and digital technologies and online content creation.

ELIGIBILITY

First Nations, Métis and Inuit applicants with internet access, and the availability and willingness to travel to the National Capital Region for three one-week periods to work in person with the Museum’s resources, including its professional staff. Applicants should hold a college or university credential in a museum or heritage-related discipline, or demonstrate experience in Indigenous cultural interpretation or related work.

COMPENSATION

In addition to providing return airfare and accommodation for the three one-week sessions of on-site work, the Museum also pays a stipend based on the Museum’s student wage of $16.00 per hour. Participants will be paid for in-person and online work. The three on-site sessions run five days each (Monday to Friday) at the beginning, half-way point, and conclusion of the participant’s internship.

SUBMISSIONS

Applicants should please submit:

• A cover letter that includes a one- to two-page project proposal describing your intended project and how it might be completed by hybrid means, combining in-person and online work. Describe how your proposal meets the Museum’s mandate to help foster understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, stories and material culture.
• A résumé with your current contact information, your academic and employment history, and contact information for two references.
• Indicate whether you are applying as a First Nations, Métis or Inuit candidate, and if your particular areas of interest pertain primarily to museum collections, archival and research work, or museum exhibitions and program development.

Applications can be submitted to: indigenousinternship@historymuseum.ca. A total of four (4) candidates may be selected.

Note: for internship products or projects of potential monetary or commercial value, the Museum will refrain from exercising its copyright ownership and any financial considerations, in exchange for recognition and acknowledgement of the Museum and its resources in the development of the product or project.

CONTACT

Alexandra (Ally) Freedman
Coordinator, Indigenous Internship Program
343-550-9468

John Moses
Director, Repatriation and Indigenous Relations
(819) 776-7192

indigenousinternship@historymuseum.ca

Applications may also be submitted by regular mail to:
Canadian Museum of History
Indigenous Internship Program
100 Laurier Street
Gatineau QC K1A 0M8