Band 4 – Director of Indigenous Collections and Repatriation

Director of Indigenous Collections and Repatriation
Indigenous Collections and Repatriation Department
Archives, Research and Collections Division
1 Full Time, Permanent opportunity
Band 4
Annual Salary Range: $105,900.12 – $140,800.04
Location: Victoria, RBCM Downtown

The Royal BC Museum, which includes the provincial archives and IMAX® Victoria, is one of the oldest continually operating museums in Canada. A cultural centre of learning and research, it strives to broaden our understanding of British Columbia through collections, exhibits, outreach and community engagement. Through community collaboration, the museum works to share the stories of BC and provides a dynamic space for discussion and reflection.

Located in Victoria on the territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) peoples, known today as the Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations, the RBCM cares for more than 7 million objects, belongings, specimens, and millions of significant government documents and records; substantial photographic, audio and video collections; artworks; and an extensive library of publications. IMAX® Victoria delivers educational and entertaining experiences that accompany the learning journey the museum offers.

Department Overview

The Indigenous Collections and Repatriation (ICAR) Department is comprised of six collection areas and a curatorial and collections management team, that care for the following materials:

1. Indigenous Materials (16,000+ items)
2. Photo Collection (65,000+ photos)
3. A/V Collection – Audio (3,700+), Film (17), Video (34)
4. BC Archaeology (230,000+ objects)
5. Historic Documents related to the materials in the collection (350,000+ documents)
6. Publications and Resource (2,500 items)

ICAR works closely with the Indigenous Advocacy and Advisory Committee, First Nations communities and Indigenous organizations by establishing and maintaining respectful and meaningful relationships, providing access to and stewardship of Indigenous collections, supporting community capacity building where requested, facilitating the repatriation of ancestral remains and the transfer of First Nations belongings upon submission of repatriation requests in accordance with ICAR’s Repatriation Policy.

ICAR works closely with other RBCM departments to explore opportunities for research, learning, exhibitions, and special projects that support the museum’s mandate and goals.

ICAR works closely with government agencies, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Archaeology Branch, the BC Archives and Heritage Branch on projects of shared interest.

Job Overview

With the strategic support of the Indigenous Advocacy and Advisory Committee (IAAC) and under RBCM’s corporate service plan and corporate planning framework (principally its mission, vision, strategies and policies), the Director of Indigenous Collections and Repatriation leads, develops, and manages a team  that:

• Assists Indigenous communities who request the repatriation of ancestral remains and the transfer of materials originating in their communities, the Director issues periodic reports on achievements, encourages cooperation and the sharing of best practice, makes recommendations around repatriation at provincial, national and international levels, and supports repatriation through the British Columbia Treaty Process as required.
• Provides support, guidance or advice to those caring for heritage in Indigenous communities. 
• Deepens public understanding of Indigenous history and   culture through the responsible stewardship, development and understanding of RBCM’s extensive Indigenous collections. 
• Produces scholarly interdisciplinary research that advances understanding of RBCM’s Indigenous collections and archives, is relevant to contemporary society, and is capable of being presented across a variety of media to a broad audience.
• Collaborates with Indigenous people of British Columbia to produce concepts and content for innovative, provocative, and audience-focused public programs, exhibitions, and websites.

We are currently looking for Director of Indigenous Collections and Repatriation who brings a wealth of expertise to our team. The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, History, Indigenous History or related field, and have 5 years’ recent, related experience providing departmental or institutional leadership within a research institution, cultural organization or relevant commercial entity. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Ideally, the successful candidate will have knowledge of BC Indigenous cultures, collections stewardship and/or research management, and a strong ability to forge relationships with the public, partners and rights holders.  

For this position, First Nations, Inuit, or Métis ancestry is regarded as directly relevant to the skills and knowledge required for excellence in the position, and as such, candidates with Indigenous ancestry will be given preference. In responding to the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people, we encourage applications from those who wish to self-identify. One of RBCM’s guiding principles is to operate in a trauma-informed manner and thus, it is your choice whether to volunteer self-identifying information. We will hold your information and application in strictest confidence, sharing it only with the hiring panel.

If you meet these criteria, we invite you to review the job profile in detail and apply for this opportunity to contribute your expertise as a member of our dynamic team.

Before you apply for this position, you must meet the eligibility requirements. To be eligible to work in Canada, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada or authorized in writing to work in Canada under the federal Immigration Act. Eligibility to work in Canada is granted through citizenship, permanent resident status, or a work permit.

An eligibility list may be established for future temporary and/or permanent vacancies.

How to Apply:

Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the job requirements listed within the job profile.

Please submit your resume and cover letter in pdf format by July 10th 2025 at 11:59 pm (PST) with the following subject line:  Last Name, First Name, RB2025-11 via email to: RBCMapplications@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Additional Information:

This position requires a Criminal Records Check under the BC Public Service Screening Policy and the Criminal Records Review Act. All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada (i.e., have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status). 

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Canadian Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Métis, or Inuit) applicants. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.