Curatorial Assistant, Indigenous Cultures

A landmark for over 100 years, the McCord Stewart Museum bears witness to Montreal’s history as Quebec’s largest city as well as its influence in Canada and around the world. It celebrates the vitality, creativity and diversity of the communities who live there. The Museum amplifies their voices by interpreting and disseminating the remarkable historical heritage under its care—six collections comprised of 2.5 million images, objects, documents and works of art—making it one of North America’s leading museums.

In keeping with its commitment to decolonization and sustainable development, the Museum adopts a critical and inclusive perspective on social history and contemporary issues to create stimulating exhibitions, educational programs and community activities that inspire its audience to take action towards a more just society.

We are seeking a Curatorial Assistant, Indigenous Cultures

This new position is made possible through the support of TD Bank Group, via the TD Promise: Ready to Act. Hiring Requirement: This position is open only to members of recognized Indigenous communities (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) who are interested in the position of Curatorial Assistant, Indigenous Cultures. Verification of this status will be conducted with shortlisted candidates as part of the selection process. This is a 2-year fixed-term contract. The desired start date is late September 2026.

Job Description and Responsibilities

This position is designed to provide work experience in a museum setting, allowing the incumbent to discover, explore, and develop their skills in various aspects of museum work, including exhibitions, conservation, and cultural outreach.

This position reports to the Community Relations Advisor and will work closely with the Head of Collections and Research, the Curator of Indigenous Cultures, the Head of Exhibitions, the Head of Education, Civic Engagement, and Cultural Programs, and the Head of Collections Management. The incumbent is responsible for collaborating on various outreach projects related to the Museum’s Indigenous Cultures collection as well as any other relevant collections held by the institution. As part of their mandate, they will also aim to familiarize themselves with various aspects of museum work.

Main Responsibilities

Community Relations

• Help develop and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities;
• Increase the dissemination of Indigenous communities’ perspectives and knowledge by strengthening and facilitating access to the collection, particularly for people living outside Montreal;
• Organize, facilitate, and document visits or consultation sessions with Indigenous groups;
• Participate in meetings of the Indigenous Advisory Committee (a committee focused on sharing the Museum’s interdisciplinary Indigenous-centered initiatives and engaging in dialogue with members to enable the Museum to implement respectful and relevant practices in this area) and draft meeting minutes;

Collections Support Work

• Prepare draft responses to requests for information about the Indigenous Cultures collection received by the curator or reference archivist at the Archives and Documentation Center;
• Collaborate in verifying the cataloging of objects in the Indigenous Cultures collection for exhibition projects, new acquisitions, and loan requests;
• As needed, contribute to the development of a repatriation policy (literature review, research on best practices elsewhere, policies of other institutions, laws, specific cases, etc.);
• Help strengthen the Museum’s position and work in implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the calls to action from the TRC and ENFFADA;
• Observe the role of Curator of Indigenous Cultures and carry out ad hoc research assignments when appropriate.

Collaborate on the production of temporary exhibitions

• Support ad hoc research on topics identified for exhibitions;
• Collaborate on revising the content of texts and exhibition labels for Indigenous-themed exhibitions, including Indigenous Voices Today (VAA);
• Contribute to the content of family-friendly tours in Indigenous-themed exhibitions, including the permanent exhibition (VAA);
• Support and assist artists with artist-in-residence exhibition projects, particularly as part of the Museum’s partnership with the Indigenous Contemporary Art Biennial;
• Actively participate in all phases of an upcoming exhibition and, where applicable, in the preparation of an accompanying publication;

Educational and Community Programming

• Contribute to the development of programming related to the permanent exhibition *Indigenous Voices Today*, temporary exhibitions on Indigenous cultures, and themed days and festivals (Truth and Reconciliation Day, Indigenous History Month, etc.)
• Help promote the Museum’s various programs, exhibitions, and activities related to the Indigenous Cultures collection and other collections.
• Any other tasks assigned by the aforementioned departments, based on the candidate’s skills and interests.

Benefits of Working at the Museum

• Gain experience as part of a highly creative and dedicated team
• Work downtown, in the heart of the cultural scene, with easy access to public transportation
• Challenging projects, hybrid remote work, flexible hours
• Temporary, full-time position for two (2) years, 35 hours per week
• Start date: September 2026; three (3)-month probationary period
• Compensation based on experience and current salary scales
• Three (3) weeks of annual vacation after one year and two (2) weeks of holiday leave
• Sick days, administrative leave, floating days, and wellness days
• Group insurance and an attractive retirement plan
• Social and cultural activities; training opportunities; an inclusive and collaborative work environment

Desired Profile and Skills

• Hold a master’s degree or equivalent in a field related to anthropology, Indigenous studies, history, or museology, or be pursuing a Ph.D. or have a combination of education and equivalent experience;
• Sufficient knowledge of French to work in a French-speaking institution, as well as spoken and written English;
• Proficiency in MS Office suite, SharePoint, and Teams; familiarity with TMS is a plus;
• A solid understanding of issues related to reconciliation, decolonization, and indigenization within museum institutions or in a comparable context (transferable skills);
• Organizational, planning, and priority-setting skills;
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams;
• Attention to detail and the ability to lead projects and evaluate results;
• Curiosity, proactivity, and the ability to propose creative and innovative solutions;
• Occasional availability required to participate in symposia, conferences, and events taking place outside normal working hours;
• Independence, diplomacy, and discretion;
• Commitment to eco-responsible practices.

*The McCord Stewart Museum is an employer committed to the principle of equal access to employment. We hire based on the specific requirements of each role and select our staff based on their qualifications, skills, and experience.*

Please send us your application, including a cover letter and your resume, by August 28, 2026.