Employment Opportunity: Indigenous Rights Research Assistant

Position type: Full-time; entry-level (one-year contract with possibility of extension)

Location: Victoria, BC (Songhees and Esquimalt territory)

Salary: $25/hour

Application deadline: November 2, 2026

Start Date: November, 2026

Company Background:

Kwusen Research & Media (Kwusen) is dedicated to research and digital solutions to support Indigenous sovereignty. We collaborate with Indigenous communities on community-based Indigenous knowledge and land use research projects. We conduct traditional use studies, archival research, genealogical studies, and repatriation work with a focus on returning data, knowledge and belongings to communities of origin. Our work supports communities in researching their own traditions and land use practices while utilizing innovative digital tools. Kwusen’s suite of software solutions supports communities in field-data collection as well as management of research data and consultation tracking. Our research and digital services are used by over fifty Indigenous communities across Canada. For more information please visit our website at: http://www.kwusen.ca/

Employment Opportunity:

Kwusen invites applications for the position of Indigenous Rights Research Assistant. This is a full-time, in-person, one-year contract (with possibility extension), entry-level position based in Kwusen’s office in downtown Victoria, BC (on Songhees and Esquimalt territory).

Job Duties Include:

The successful candidate will work across the Research Team at Kwusen on a range of projects and tasks, including:

• Work closely with Indigenous community staff to support their work on land and resource governance

• Provide assistance to Indigenous nations in repatriating and archiving records of their Indigenous knowledge and history

• Support our Research Team in conducting community-based research projects related to Indigenous Rights and Title

• Complete spatial and multimedia data entry and data management for research projects

• Support our Research Team in provision of trainings and other capacity building initiatives with Indigenous communities

• Use Google Earth and/or GIS software for basic mapping purposes

• Complete archival research and advanced thematic coding of interview transcripts

• Complete graphic design and video/audio editing tasks using Adobe Creative Suite

• Coordinate Kwusen communications – both external and client-facing

• General office and administrative duties as required

What you bring:

• Demonstrated interest in Indigenous Rights, Indigenous land management, and/or environmental assessments with Indigenous communities in Canada

• Experience supporting researchers or project leaders in an academic or community setting

• Demonstrated understanding of the cultural knowledge and communication skills required to support Indigenous communities

• Ability to work independently to complete tasks with great attention to detail

• Ability to listen and clearly communicate technical details and build rapport with people of diverse backgrounds

• Proficiency with MS Office, Google Suite, mapping software, and/or Adobe Creative Suite

• Experience in marketing and content management

• Experience completing digital data entry

• A social sciences (anthropology, history, geography or similar) Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or related experience

To Apply:

Please email your cover letter, resume and the contact information for three references to jobs@kwusen.ca by November 2, 2026. Please include “Indigenous Rights Research Assistant Application” in the subject line. For questions regarding the position, please email jobs@kwusen.ca. While we thank all applicants for their interest, only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

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.