Employment Opportunity: Indigenous Rights Researcher

Written By Tasha Drolet

Company Background

Kwusen Research and Media is committed to providing research and digital solutions to uphold Indigenous sovereignty. We work exclusively with Indigenous communities and organizations in Canada to conduct community-based research focused on Indigenous knowledge and land use. Our innovative digital technology, including custom software, is utilized to manage research data, museum repatriation, and language learning, as well as used by over 50 Indigenous communities to review Crown consultation and make land management decisions.

Position type: Full-time; senior-level

Location: Victoria, BC (Songhees and Esquimalt territory), with travel to remote communities within Canada

Salary: $65,000-$90,000/year (commensurate with experience)

Start Date: Anticipated start is June or early July, contingent upon candidate availability and organizational requirements.

Employment Opportunity

Kwusen invites applications for an Indigenous Rights Researcher. This is a full-time, senior-level position based in Kwusen’s office in downtown Victoria, BC (on Songhees and Esquimalt territory). The position includes travel to remote communities within Canada.

The successful candidate will support Indigenous communities in the research and documentation of Indigenous Rights, Title, and land use, primarily working on large research projects with First Nations in British Columbia and Alberta. The candidate will travel to client offices to conduct oral history and mapping interviews, as well as other types of research. The candidate will provide senior-level contributions to the preparation of deliverables for our clients, including reports, memos, presentations, and training materials. We also expect the candidate to contribute to archival research, literature reviews, data analysis and management, client support on Kwusen’s custom research software, and other tasks as assigned. Reporting to the Director of Research & Operations and working with Kwusen’s research team, the successful candidate will contribute to Indigenous data sovereignty and support Nations conducting Rights-based research across Canada.

Job Duties:

  • Conducting oral history and land use mapping interviews with Indigenous community members.

  • Utilizing Kwusen’s custom software applications for data analysis, including transcript review.

  • Providing support and training to Indigenous researchers as they conduct interviews and other research activities.

  • Contributing to the preparation of technical reports and memos.

  • Delivering essential research support, including archival research and literature reviews.

Candidate Requirements:

  • Education: A PhD or Master’s degree is required in a relevant discipline, such as Anthropology, Indigenous Studies, History, or similar.

  • Experience (Desirable): Applicants are encouraged to apply even without possessing all the following experience components: Prior professional engagement with an Indigenous community or organization.

    • Experience in leading or participating in oral history or land use mapping interviews and fieldwork.

    • Proficiency in conducting archival research and ethnographic/historical literature reviews.

    • Experience in drafting technical documents, including reports, memos, proposals, or grant applications.

    • Competency in data analysis, data entry, and editing video and audio files.

    • Familiarity with GIS software, such as QGIS or GoogleEarth Pro.

  • Other Requirements:

    • Possession of a valid Class 5 Driver’s License.

    • Willingness to travel, including solo travel, to remote locations.

To Apply:

  • Submission: Applications must be emailed to Alissa Cartwright at jobs@kwusen.ca.

  • Subject Line: The mandatory subject line is “Indigenous Rights Researcher”.

  • Required Materials:

    • Curriculum Vitae (CV).

    • A cover letter with a description of prior experience conducting research with Indigenous communities.

    • A writing sample.

    • Three professional and/or academic references will be required if an interview is granted.

  • Review Process: Applications will be evaluated and candidates contacted on a rolling basis; early submission is recommended. Only individuals selected for an interview will receive a response.

  • Application Deadline: May 19th, 2026.

Working exclusively for Indigenous clients, Kwusen is committed to making our workforce more equitable for Indigenous people. We value the perspectives, knowledge and experience brought by individuals with Indigenous backgrounds in the work and goals that we pursue, and they may be given preference in our hiring process. As a result, we encourage all Indigenous applicants to self-identify in their application.

Tasha Drolet
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