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Canadian Museum of History Indigenous Internship Program

Professional and technical training for First Nations, Métis and Inuit participants.

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The goal of the Program is to develop ways for Indigenous nations across Canada to represent their own history and culture in concert with cultural institutions.

The Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) offers professional and technical training for First Nations, Métis and Inuit participants. It is the first and most comprehensive program of its kind in Canada. The goal of the Program is to develop ways for Indigenous nations across Canada to represent their own history and culture in concert with cultural institutions.

Since 1993, the Program has welcomed interns from over 40 different Indigenous nations across Canada. Graduates have gone on to become role models and advocates in museum and cultural sectors.

The Program also works with a variety of affiliates and stakeholders such as Indigenous agencies, national museums, the federal government, local colleges and universities, provincial museums, Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Conservation Institute, and the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres, as well as Indigenous museums, libraries, cultural centres, and cultural tourism ventures.

 

Call for Proposals

Applications: Ongoing

The Canadian Museum of History’s Indigenous Internship Program will be accepting applications on an ongoing basis.

All applications should be received at least three months prior to the desired start date.

Timing

In order to ensure that the Program is as accessible as possible, we are pleased to offer a number of participation options, including in-person and hybrid, as well as part-time internships. Interested applicants will work with an Internship Coordinator to select the option that best suits them.

Eight-Month In-Person Option

From September to April
The first option is an eight-month, in-person and on-site internship. This internship takes place every year from September to April, with a two-week break for the holiday season. During the training year, candidates can undertake practicum assignments lasting four to five weeks in the areas of research, collections, conservation, exhibitions, public programs, corporate affairs, development, and museum services.

Please note that this option does require participants to be located in the Ottawa-Gatineau region throughout the duration of the internship.

Four-Month Hybrid Option

From January to April or from September to December
The internship will take place during a four-month period, either from January to April or from September to December. During those four months, participants will be working remotely from their preferred location on a research project based on a project proposal. They will be given access to the Museum’s network and database, and will have weekly meetings with an Internship Coordinator and a Mentor from the Museum to monitor their progress and to foster creativity.

On three separate visits of one week duration, participants will be brought to the Museum (all expenses paid). During the on-site portions of the internships, participants will have access to Museum resources in support of their specific project goals, and will be mentored in core Museum functions including research, collections, conservation, exhibitions, public programs, corporate affairs, development, and museum services.

Aboriginal Training Program in Museum Practices graduation, 2013

Guest alumna Margaret Fireman (Cree) addresses the attendees at the 20th anniversary graduation ceremony in 2013

Brief History

The Indigenous Internship Program (formerly the Aboriginal Training Program in Museum Practices) was implemented by the Canadian Museum of Civilization (now the Canadian Museum of History) in 1993.

It was inspired by recommendations released by the Task Force on Museums and First Peoples in 1992. That effort was jointly sponsored by the Assembly of First Nations and the Canadian Museums Association. Its mission: “To develop an ethical framework and strategies for Aboriginal Nations to represent their history and culture in concert with cultural institutions.”

The Program has evolved over time, including alternative delivery models in response to continuing global and national developments.

These include the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action, and the Museum’s own mandate under its enabling legislation, the Canadian Museum of History Act, as a national institution dedicated to helping foster greater understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, stories and material culture.

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