Overview: The Indigenous Librarian supports CAPACOA, IPAA, the Indigenous Theatre, and the Indigenous performing arts community in documenting and publishing information about Indigenous artists, their works, and the performances in which they are featured, in manners that are respectful of principles of Indigenous data governance.

Responsibilities

The following task and responsibilities are currently anticipated:

• 1 – Building a comprehensive base register of Indigenous artists.
• Create/edit Wikidata items for artists performing at the NAC’s Indigenous Theatre.
• Contact IPAA members to verify inaccurate or otherwise unexpected data points in IPAA’s member directory (as needed).
• Regularly upload new IPAA members’ data to Artsdata and to Wikidata.
• Create/edit Wikidata items for any emerging Indigenous artist nominated for or winning an award.
• Contact Indigenous artists individually to validate their Indigenous identity and confirm they accept to publish this information in open knowledge bases.
• Document Indigenous artists’ place of birth and place of work, so the data could eventually be mapped to traditional territories.
• Create bi-directional links between Wikidata, Artsdata and other open knowledge bases.
• 2 – Documenting the Body of Indigenous Work in the performing arts domain.
• Create/edit Wikidata items for works (performance works, plays, musical works, etc.) presented by the NAC’s Indigenous Theatre.
• Provide support to Indigenous artists and companies in the process of releasing production photos under a Creative Commons license.
• Retrieve the Artsdata ID or mint a new Artsdata ID for each work.
• 3 – Building a listing of events featuring Indigenous artists and their works.
• Support Indigenous organizations and other organizations presenting Indigenous artists in the adoption of data practices that make it easier to retrieve and display events featuring Indigenous artists.
• When Indigenous organizations do not have the capacity to implement data practices, assist them in using Artsdata software to manually populate the event data.
• 4 – Allyship
• Explore and develop partnerships with organizations such as the National Alliance for Indigenous Knowledge and Languages, Métamusique, Danse Collection Dance, the Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia and university librarians with an interest in the works of Indigenous artists.
• Collaborate with the National Alliance for Indigenous Knowledge and Languages and the Wikimedia community in improving the representation of Indigenous languages, Peoples and other concepts (bands, reserves, etc.) in Wikidata and in Wikipedias.

This job description is neither a complete nor a definitive statement of responsibilities. The role will be performed following an iterative approach, and responsibilities will evolve over time. While responsibilities are currently mostly at the library technician level, our hope is to grow the position to include more librarian-level responsibilities.

General Requirements

No previous experience is required. On-the-job training will be provided.

Preference will be given to persons of Indigenous ancestry (s. 16(1) CHRA).

In addition to a lived experience as an Indigenous person, applicants should possess the following skills and aptitudes:

• Knowledge of the performing arts;
• knowledge of the Indigenous Peoples of what is known as Canada;
• Strong ethics and a caring predisposition;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Collaboration;
• Critical thinking;
• Attention to detail;
• Innovativeness;
• Digital literacy and willingness to try out new technologies;
• Leadership;
• Management skills;
• Oral and written comprehension of both English and French. 

Occasional travel may be required. CAPACOA will reimburse reasonable and necessary travel expenses. 

Reporting

The Indigenous Librarian reports to the CAPACOA’s Director of Research and Development, and works in close collaboration with the NAC’s Indigenous Theatre Managing Director and with IPAA’s Executive Director.

Compensation and benefits

This is a part-time employment position, based on a 24-hour/week schedule (with possibilities of growing the position to up to 30/hours, depending on the candidate’s availability). Salary is commensurate with experience, with a starting salary range of $28,800 - 34,800 / year ($23.81 - 28.77 / hour).  We offer extended health benefits, access to a professional development budget, and a technology allowance for setting up and working from a home office.

Term

This is a one-year term position, with possibilities of extension and promotion.