Manager, Indigenous Relations

**Michael Smith Health Research BC**

Michael Smith Health Research BC, funded by the Government of British Columbia, is BC’s health research agency. We strengthen the province’s health research system by supporting the people, institutions and activities that generate and use research-based knowledge to promote, restore and maintain the health of British Columbians. Our ambition is to inspire and connect curious, creative and passionate minds to drive discovery and innovation in health research. And we’re driven by the belief that health-related decision making should be informed by high quality research produced in an equitable, diverse and inclusive research system.

We are a team of dedicated professionals who care deeply about each other and our work. We believe in embracing diversity as a strength and core value, creating spaces that are inclusive of all peoples, and are grounded in our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and respect for Indigenous self-determination. We value and support a diverse workforce, reflective of different backgrounds, skillsets, perspectives and life experiences.

Our benefits package includes a pension plan, generous dental and health insurance and a wellness allowance; our professional development policy supports learning and growth.

We have a hybrid work model. When you are in the office, our beautiful space offers views of False Creek, an outdoor patio (think summer BBQs) and a fitness centre, and it’s walking distance to restaurants and other amenities. Our social committee, Team Good Times, organizes events throughout the year.

If you are looking for meaningful work in a supportive environment, and you are inspired by making a difference in BC’s exceptional health research community, read on to learn more.

**Manager, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation**

Health Research BC is enacting organizational commitments to help accelerate the self-determination of Indigenous peoples in health research, contribute to Indigenous cultural safety in the health research system, and learn from Indigenous research and ways of knowing for the benefit of our work overall. This work is grounded in respect for Indigenous self-determination and awareness of reconciliation as an active and ongoing process.

As BC’s health research agency, we acknowledge the negative impact of health research historically upon Indigenous peoples. The Manager, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation role has been developed to deepen our practices of Indigenous cultural humility in furtherance of Indigenous cultural safety and reconciliation across our operations and relationships. Our organizational accountability to Indigenous peoples arises from the principles contained in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action.

We are committed to approaches that promote Indigenous cultural safety and anti-Indigenous racism in health research and that advance the capacity of Indigenous peoples in their work; we recognize this is a long, complex journey requiring cultural humility and strong relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities in BC.

Our work will proceed in phases to ensure our approach is respectful of protocols and responsive to feedback from Indigenous partners:

- Phase 1: the Manager, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation will report to the Chief People & Culture Officer and assist in scoping the role for the Director, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation. During this initial phase, the Manager, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation will build a training plan and conduct a review of internal systems to better align the ways in which we work and the programs we support further to our commitments to reconciliation.
- Phase 2: the Director, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation will be retained and will report to the VP Research Programs. The Manager, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation will report to the Director, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation and will assist in developing a work plan to advance Indigenous partnerships and develop an Indigenous led health research portfolio.

**Position Summary**:
Reporting to the Chief People & Culture Officer initially and ultimately the Director, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation, the Manager, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation will develop practices of Indigenous cultural humility within Health Research BC in furtherance of Indigenous cultural safety and reconciliation to provide our staff with the context they require to respectfully partner with Indigenous peoples in the province.

The role will commence its work by leading the development and implementation of an Indigenous cultural safety framework for Health Research BC and related training programs internally; these learnings will guide how we work across operations.

Externally, this role will work closely with the Director, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation to determine how best