Associate Dean, Indigenous Health Full Time

Associate Dean, Indigenous Health (ADIH)
Surrey
SFU Department: School of Medicine – Dean’s Office
# of openings: 1

Who We Are
Simon Fraser University is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and
sustainable future. Our purpose – the essence of SFU – is to create and connect knowledge,
learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. We are committed to
fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.

Help build B.C.’s new medical school from the ground up!

At Simon Fraser University’s School of Medicine, we envision a medical education system
where students and residents learn as part of a team in primary care and other community-level
settings, in patient-centred environments, and with a curriculum that considers social,
environmental and prevention contexts. As we establish the school in Surrey, B.C., our growing
relationships with the local community, Fraser Health Authority, First Nations Health Authority,
physicians and Indigenous partners will help us to meet the diverse health needs of the
communities we serve and improve access to primary care throughout the province. We seek
to advance reconciliation by embedding and equalizing Indigenous knowledge systems in our
learning, research and practices while resting on a solid foundation of high-quality, accredited
education and world-class research efforts that keep us oriented towards measurable socially
accountable outcomes.

About the Role
The School of Medicine at Simon Fraser University invites applications for an Associate Dean,
Indigenous Health (ADIH). The associate dean appointment will be for a 3-year term,
renewable, with an underlying faculty position. The underlying faculty position will be continuing
and will be made at the appropriate rank and category, commensurate with experience.
Alternative appointment arrangements (such as half-time) may also be considered to facilitate
other commitments candidates may have.
The salary for the successful applicant will depend on the rank, category of appointment, and
experience of the candidate, however, a reasonable estimate of the salary range is $220,000 –
$270,000 (inclusive of an administrative stipend for the Associate Dean role and prorated
depending on other commitments outside of academic work).

The Associate Dean Indigenous Health for the SFU School of Medicine (SM) provides critical
leadership in conceptualizing and implementing the integration of Indigenous ways of knowing
and being into all operational and academic aspects of the SFU SM. The ADIH reports to the
Dean, SFU SM, and is a member of the senior executive team of the SFU SM.
Key Areas of Involvement

The main objective for the ADIH is the development and implementation of a comprehensive
strategy for embedding respectful and relevant Indigenous content, perspectives and practices
into the culture of the SFU SM, and developing an approach to engaging and collaborating with
First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in ways that uphold and align with the Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). The strategy will inform and guide all aspects of the
School of Medicine, including curriculum development, instructional approaches, faculty
development, admissions, Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) student recruitment and
support, infrastructure design, human resources, etc.

The ADIH will build upon the foundations laid by the interim ADIH; one of the key deliverables
will be the establishment of priorities and timelines for the role. Examples of key deliverables for
the ADIH may include:

 Leading a collaborative process by which to establish a set of principles and values to guide
the manner in which SFU SM engages with First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples and/or
honours and upholds Indigenous cultures, knowledges, processes and ways of working.
 Establishing the foundation of practices and policies needed to achieve the main
objective(s).
 Developing and maintaining meaningful relationships and systems for consultation and
cooperation with Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), communities and
organizations including the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
 Building and maintaining relationships and partnerships with host Nations in the Fraser
Region.
 Convening the SFU SM Indigenous Network/Caucus that connects Indigenous participants
in SFU SM committees and working groups to ensure a loud and strong Indigenous voice in
the establishment and operation of the SFU SM.
 Leading the recruitment of and support for the SFU SM Elders and Knowledge Keepers
Circle.
 In collaboration with the SFU EDI lead, establishing protocols for ensuring that Indigenous
and EDI principles, values and practices are viewed as separate, but interconnected, in the
SFU SM.
 Leading the development of systems and processes to embed cultural safety and humility
into SFU MS curriculum and operations. Establishing processes for collaboration with key
SFU functions (such as HR, Finance, Registrar/Student Services,
Marketing/Communications, etc.) and with SFU Indigenous leadership and SFU SM partners
to promote best practices for the SFU SM.
 Planning for and implementing hiring members of the support team needed to help carry the
work forward in a good way with a priority on hiring Indigenous people.
 Liaising with SFU SM partners in the FNHA and the Fraser Health Authority to ensure
collaboration on Indigenous initiatives and matters of the SFU SM.
Other Responsibilities of the Role of ADIH
 Be a senior leader and face of the SFU SM in discussions internally within SFU and
externally with partners and levels of government.
 Actively contribute to curriculum development for SFU SM medical education programs,
beginning with the MD program; ensuring that cultural safety and humility are embedded.
 Chair the SFU SM Indigenous Admissions subcommittee Actively contribute to the
development of SFU SM selection and admissions policies and procedures as a member of
the SFU SM Admissions committee.
 Actively contribute to the development of SFU SM Indigenous Learner Support policies and
procedures and lead the recruitment of Indigenous learner support workers, including
Elder(s).
 Lead the development of a BC Indigenous Health Leaders Forum that brings together
Indigenous people involved in all aspects of health care in the province. Ensure
representation of SFU SM at provincial, national and international levels, including
organizations and bodies such as the BC Indigenous Physicians Network, the UBC Centre
for Excellence in Indigenous Health, the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada
(IPAC), the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC), the College of Family
Physicians of Canada (CFPC), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
(RCPSC) and the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress (PRIDoC).

Qualifications & Experience:
● Eligibility to hold a license to practice medicine in British Columbia preferred
● M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) preferred
● Ph.D. in a field related to health care desired
● Health care education and/or post-secondary education preferred
● Excellent knowledge and understanding of and respect for Indigenous cultural identities
and values is required
● An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
*Credentials verification will be required.

Additional Information:
In accordance with Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, this opportunity is limited to
applicants who self-identify as Indigenous and have Indigenous ancestry. Candidates invited to
submit a self-identification narrative/story of their Indigenous lived experience and a letter of
support from Indigenous community to be considered for this position. We understand and
acknowledge the deleterious effects of colonial and ongoing systems and structures such as
residential schools, the 60s scoop and “status” cards on Indigenous (First Nation, Inuit or Métis)
identity. This process is therefore intended to be interpreted in a broad understanding of
Indigenous lived experiences and Indigenous community. Examples of support could include
letters from urban-based organizations, respected community elders outside place-based
family/Nations for those in the process of reclaiming place-based connections and/or similar
expressions of support. We acknowledge the potential emotional labour and/or (re)traumatizing
impacts of sharing personal narratives in this context and encourage applicants to consider this
fully in their decision-making to apply.

SFU recognizes and honours the title and rights of Indigenous people as stated in the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and we respect and partner
with the host Indigenous Nations on which our campuses are located. We have the
responsibility to illuminate the truth of Indigenous people in Canada and around the world and to
begin to chart a path of Reconciliation.

To apply, please submit the following materials to Caroll Lai, Senior Advisor of Academic Affairs
at ms_academic_affairs@sfu.ca:
 Curriculum vitae
 Names and contact information of three referees
 Self-identification narrative of Indigenous lived experience
 Letter of support from Indigenous community
* Complete a self-identification survey: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/VSXZJJW

SFU encourages applications from all qualified candidates; however, Canadian citizens and
permanent residents will be given priority.

Applications received by September 30, 2024 will be given full consideration. The posting will
remain open until the position is filled.

Simon Fraser University is an institution whose strength is based on our shared commitments to
diversity, equity and inclusion. Diversity is an underlying principle of our Strategic Vision, which
pledges SFU to “foster a culture of inclusion and mutual respect, celebrating the diversity
reflected among its students, faculty, staff and our community.” SFU is committed to ensuring
no individual is denied access to employment opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability or
qualifications. Consistent with this principle, SFU will advance the interests of underrepresented
members of the work force, including Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized
persons and women; embrace gender and sexual diversity; ensure that equal opportunity is
afforded to all who seek employment at the University; and treat all employees equitably.
Candidates that belong to underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
Personal information that forms part of an application is collected under the general authority of
the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and applicable University Policies. For
further details see the full Collection Notice.

What We Offer
At SFU, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy
work-life balance, professional growth and development, as well as a safe and respectful
workplace. Information on benefits can be found at the following link: https://www.sfu.ca/humanresources/faculty/benefits/long-term-faculty.htm